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Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Arts website to learn more about Linguistics.
Program information
Linguistics is a highly interdisciplinary field that combines research methods from the humanities and the social, natural, and mathematical sciences to study human language. Linguists are interested in questions such as: What are the structural properties of languages, of sounds, words, sentences, and meaning? To what extent are the languages of the world similar or different? How do languages change over time?
Program overview
- Campus
- Vancouver
- Program length
- 4 years
- Honours This option has additional requirements compared to those required in a Major specialization. Students must maintain high academic standing and may have to write a graduating thesis.
- Yes
- Co-op Co-op is an optional program where students alternate between academic terms and paid work terms. It’s an opportunity to gain relevant job experience while completing your degree.
- Yes
- Faculty
- Faculty of Arts
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts
What you'll learn
Linguistics is the systematic study of how language works. Linguists work on sound systems (phonetics and phonology), on the relationship between form and meaning (morphology, syntax, and semantics), and on how languages change over time.
In introductory-level Linguistics courses, you study language systems by analyzing data from languages of contrasting structure. You can expect to study English, but also languages like Cantonese, local First Nations languages, Latin, or Haitian Creole.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Linguistics. Here are a few you might like.
Fundamentals of how computational linguistics makes possible automated speech with Siri, automated translation with Google Translate, and related internet and social-media technologies. Issues in ethics and language-data ownership. Emphasis on applications relating to Arts disciplines.
Practical skills for analyzing language using the Python programming language and relevant packages.
Research methods used in linguistics and speech science. Emphasis on scientific reasoning, critical thinking, experimental design, and the ethics and methods of linguistic data-collection.
A cross-linguistic exploration of language change, discussing theories, data, and methods. Topics can include change across historical time periods, lifespan; change across regions, within areas; change due to language contact and other social and cultural factors.
Outcomes
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including interpretation or translation, language teaching, communications, publishing, government, speech recognition, artificial intelligence, codes and code breaking, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests, including:
- Art or Music therapist
- Artificial intelligence designer
- Audiologist
- Communications manager
- Communications policy researcher
- Editor
- English as a Second Language teacher
- Foreign service officer
- Public relations specialist
- Reading clinician
Take action & plan
Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the聽English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the 糖心logo入口Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Arts
- No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Second Languages
- Social Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you鈥檙e unable to visit 糖心logo入口in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current 糖心logo入口students walk you through UBC鈥檚 residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Arts website to learn more about Linguistics.
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time 糖心logo入口international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all .
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Arts website to learn more about Linguistics.