Linguistics with German BA
AAB at A level; graduates earn a median £24,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
94% of entrants came with A levels · 97% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AABtypical A level offer
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
Who actually got in: 94% with A levels, 1% via Access courses, 2% with other higher education. 2% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 65 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at MeriObtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma | — |
| IB | 35 points | — |
| T Level | Distinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in AccountingDistinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Bus | A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting |
| Scottish Highers | AABBB | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1, 3 optional
Compulsory modules this year: language & communication 49% · transversal skills 17% · natural sciences 17% · social & cultural skills 15%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 6 core, 3 optional · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Language and the Mind
What you learn (6)
- identify methods used in psycholinguistic research
- explain how different psycholinguistic research methods operate
- describe predictions made by competing theoretical approaches
- evaluate the relative success of competing theories against experimental data
- describe key findings from major areas of psycholinguistics
- explain the significance and implications of these findings
- Understanding Language in the Real World
What you learn (6)
- relate new learning to prior knowledge of the world
- apply core linguistic concepts to language analysis
- collaborate productively within a small group
- apply academic skills consistently across varied tasks
- evaluate personal learning progress through reflection
- devise strategies to overcome personal learning weaknesses
- German Language and Cultures: Upper Intermediate
What you learn (8)
- interpret authentic German texts on familiar and unfamiliar topics
- summarise a studied topic highlighting key points and detail
- present information clearly in spoken or written German
- converse in German with accuracy and fluency
- respond spontaneously during German conversation
- justify a viewpoint using relevant explanations and arguments
- interpret cultural cues within german-speaking contexts
- explain communication differences across diverse cultural contexts
- Intensive German Language and Cultures: Beginner
What you learn (5)
- interpret short written or audiovisual German texts on social topics
- describe social and cultural topics using simple German sentences
- communicate in German within guided conversational situations
- exchange questions and information in German on social topics
- identify cultural conventions in everyday German social practices
- Understanding German-speaking Cultures and Societies (ab initio route)
What you learn (7)
- describe a studied topic highlighting key points and supporting detail
- present a studied topic clearly to an audience
- express personal opinions clearly on a range of topics
- use the target language accurately and persuasively
- apply grammatical rules accurately in spoken and written communication
- interpret a cultural document or event from the target culture
- compare a cultural document or event with equivalents from familiar cultures
- Understanding German-speaking Cultures and Societies (post A-level)
What you learn (12)
- identify main points and arguments in media about german-speaking cultures
- interpret a german-language document or event
- compare a german-language document or event with examples from other cultures
- discuss authentic german written and spoken materials
- describe social and institutional references within german texts
- research a topic related to german-speaking societies
- synthesise findings into a coherent presentation
- support ideas with examples and supporting points
- interact spontaneously and fluently in german conversation
- express personal views coherently in german
- use german language accurately across varied topics
- apply correct grammar when communicating in german
3 optional modules
- Phonetics and Phonology
What you learn (10)
- define terminology used to describe consonants and vowels
- explain the link between speech sounds and underlying linguistic structure
- explain analytical methods used to establish sound system structure
- identify common phonological units such as phonemes and features
- describe common phonological phenomena and their formal representations
- recognise speech sounds and classify them using ipa terminology
- establish phonological categories based on contrastive distribution
- produce broad phonetic transcriptions of short speech samples
- construct structural descriptions of syllables using phonological notation
- evaluate competing phonological analyses of simple phenomena
- Syntactic Structures
What you learn (9)
- apply syntactic diagnostics to novel sentence constructions
- combine structural knowledge to propose analyses of syntactic constructions
- identify patterns in language data using syntactic concepts
- apply analytical tools to represent syntactic structure
- apply constituency tests to sentence structures
- identify clause boundaries within complex sentences
- identify different categories of verb forms
- identify grammatical functions such as subject and object
- identify major clause types such as passive, relative and interrogative
- English Past and Present
What you learn (10)
- identify causes of linguistic variation and change
- evaluate methods used to study language variation and change
- analyse historical patterning of language variation
- analyse geographical patterning of language variation
- analyse social patterning of language variation
- describe features of earlier periods of the English language
- identify patterns of language variation in historical texts
- identify patterns of language variation in contemporary texts and speech
- analyse linguistic data using quantitative and qualitative methods
- interpret graphs and charts representing linguistic data
Year 2 · 2 core, 9 optional · 40 credits ≈ 400 hours
- German Language and Cultures: Advanced
What you learn (10)
- interpret complex written texts such as literature and news articles
- interpret audiovisual and digital German-language materials
- analyse scholarly and political discourse in German
- deliver detailed oral presentations on complex subjects
- structure written expositions highlighting key issues
- communicate ideas clearly and precisely in German
- apply a broad range of vocabulary accurately
- explain the background of German cultural values and practices
- discuss cultural aspects drawing on intercultural experience and media
- identify key historical and cultural facts of German-speaking countries
- Foundations of Meaning
What you learn (5)
- distinguish the contributions of semantics and pragmatics to meaning construction
- describe key historical milestones in semantic theory development
- describe key historical milestones in pragmatic theory development
- apply linguistic tests to identify different types of inference
- apply linguistic tests to analyse other aspects of meaning
9 optional modules
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language I
What you learn (8)
- describe the evolution of TEFL methods and approaches across the 20th and 21st centuries
- discuss debates surrounding the global spread of english
- evaluate competing models of english suitable for teaching
- describe different models of language learning
- explain theories of language acquisition relevant to classroom practice
- identify features of the english language system
- explain learner errors using knowledge of the language system
- identify common linguistic difficulties experienced by language learners
- The Berlin Republic
What you learn (4)
- describe key aspects of the german-speaking world
- explain historical aspects of german-speaking countries and their significance
- interpret written and spoken authentic german-language materials
- present information effectively in spoken and written german
- Acoustic Phonetics and Phonological Analysis
What you learn (12)
- identify acoustic representations of speech such as waveforms and spectrograms
- explain how articulatory properties relate to the acoustic speech signal
- describe advanced phonological concepts such as features, rule ordering and autosegments
- evaluate theoretical debates surrounding advanced phonological concepts
- describe the range of phonological patterns explained by phonological theory
- produce waveform and spectrogram images for inclusion in documents
- identify phonological patterns from transcriptions or audio recordings
- apply phonological concepts such as syllables or rules to analyse data
- present a phonological analysis following disciplinary conventions
- apply technical knowledge to analyse empirical data
- use new software tools to support analysis
- construct coherent arguments based on empirical evidence
- Sociolinguistics
What you learn (7)
- identify causes and parameters of linguistic variation
- explain the role of variation in communication
- describe key concepts and terminology used to analyse linguistic variation
- explain theories accounting for language change
- describe methodologies used to research language variation
- analyse data collected from language variation studies
- construct arguments to interpret empirical sociolinguistic data
- Aspects of a Theory of Syntax
What you learn (13)
- apply syntactic diagnostics to novel sentence constructions
- identify the structure of complex sentence constructions
- represent complex sentence structures diagrammatically
- use theoretical arguments to explain grammaticality judgements
- predict the grammaticality of unfamiliar data sets
- formulate theoretical generalisations about grammatical constraints
- identify multi-clause sentence structures
- draw syntax trees for complex multi-clause sentences
- identify predicate types that select clausal complements
- identify constructions involving different movement types
- explain constructions involving different movement types
- identify cases of movement constraint violations
- explain the causes of movement constraint violations
- The Language of Turn and Sequence
What you learn (9)
- record naturally occurring conversations following ethical guidelines
- transcribe spoken conversation in fine detail using a standard notation system
- identify interactional practices present in recorded talk
- compile a set of comparable conversational data extracts
- analyse patterns across a collection of data extracts
- write technical descriptions of conversational language use
- describe the fundamental mechanisms underlying conversational structure
- analyse short extracts of conversation provided by the tutor
- analyse short extracts of conversation self-selected by the student
- Plurilingualism, Multilingualism and Transnational Languages: Concepts, Strategies and Approaches
What you learn (6)
- explain key concepts in multilingualism and transnationalism
- describe issues in trans/intercultural communication
- apply theoretical knowledge to develop a project outcome
- use communication skills to produce a tangible project output
- use multiple language repertoires for plurilingual communication
- evaluate own use of language repertoires for effectiveness
- Language Acquisition
What you learn (9)
- describe the general stages and features of child language acquisition
- describe the general stages and features of adult second language acquisition
- illustrate theoretical debates using examples from syntax acquisition
- illustrate theoretical debates using examples from morphology acquisition
- illustrate theoretical debates using examples from phonology acquisition
- communicate complex academic ideas clearly to an audience
- analyse language acquisition data to identify patterns
- interpret graphical data representations
- interpret research papers on first and second language acquisition
- World Cinemas: Representing National and Transnational Societies and Cultures
What you learn (8)
- describe key films from the studied languages and their contexts
- analyse films critically in relation to their cultural context
- compare films from different societies and cultures
- research films to support advanced cultural interpretation
- contribute constructively to a collaborative group project
- research and select relevant information on film and cinema
- present findings on cinema to varied audiences
- communicate fluently in the target language at an advanced level
Year 3 · 0 core, 18 optional
18 optional modules
- Forensic Phonetics
What you learn (8)
- explain theoretical issues underpinning forensic recording analysis
- describe methodological approaches used in forensic audio analysis
- identify challenges in analysing difficult or sensitive forensic recordings
- apply analytical techniques to difficult or sensitive forensic materials
- analyse speech data using qualitative and quantitative methods
- apply statistical methods to analyse speech data
- present data using graphs and statistical summaries
- write professional reports using standard argumentation structures
- German Language and Society: Proficient
What you learn (7)
- interpret complex written and digital texts in German
- identify implicit and stylistic nuances in audiovisual German media
- compose fluent and coherent complex texts in German
- incorporate idiomatic and colloquial expressions appropriately in writing
- distinguish personal viewpoints from source perspectives in complex topics
- deliver concise oral presentations of complex information in German
- adapt communication style to different cultural contexts
- Modern German Language
What you learn (7)
- explain selected topics in detail using advanced subject knowledge
- conduct independent research on a chosen topic
- evaluate sources critically to support an argument
- construct coherent arguments in written German
- construct coherent arguments in spoken German
- produce written German with advanced grammatical accuracy
- deliver spoken German fluently and accurately
- Topics in Phonetics and Phonology
What you learn (6)
- identify a research question relevant to phonetics and phonology
- situate a research question within existing academic literature
- analyse quantitative data using a current phonetic or phonological model
- analyse qualitative data using a current phonetic or phonological model
- present data in multiple formats to support a theoretical argument
- organise time and tasks to complete an independent research project
- Psycholinguistics: Language Processing
What you learn (3)
- explain key issues in psycholinguistics
- describe methods used in psycholinguistic research
- summarise major findings in psycholinguistics
- Neurolinguistics: Language and the Brain
What you learn (8)
- describe key structures of brain anatomy relevant to cognition
- identify common neuroimaging techniques used to study the brain
- summarise current scientific understanding of the neural basis of language
- explain how different brain regions support language processing
- explain the relationship between neurolinguistic findings and linguistic theory
- evaluate how linguistic theory shapes neurolinguistic research questions
- critique primary research articles in neurolinguistics
- interpret findings from empirical neurolinguistic studies
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language II
What you learn (11)
- plan a sequence of english language lesson segments
- deliver a grammar presentation segment to learners
- deliver a vocabulary practice segment to learners
- teach a timed live lesson to english language learners
- write a reflective report evaluating a taught lesson
- design a lesson plan for a receptive skill
- formulate aims and objectives for a receptive skills lesson
- anticipate learner problems and propose solutions for a lesson
- observe another teacher's english language class
- write a report appraising the strengths and weaknesses of an observed lesson
- lead a productive skills lesson segment focusing on pronunciation and form
- Forensic Linguistics
What you learn (9)
- explain theoretical frameworks used in forensic document analysis
- apply methodological approaches to assess text content and origin
- describe the range of offences classified as language crimes
- identify legal codes used to prosecute language crimes across jurisdictions
- explain the relevance of linguistics to criminal investigation and prosecution
- explain the relevance of linguistics to civil, immigration and human rights law
- explain the role of linguistics in drafting legislation
- analyse written documents for forensic casework purposes
- evaluate linguistic artefacts such as trademarks against relevant legislation
- Multimodality: Language and the Body
What you learn (9)
- identify modalities relevant to spoken face-to-face interaction
- use specialist software to analyse bodily actions such as gesture during speech
- transcribe spoken language using standard transcription conventions
- annotate visible and gestural behaviour using standard coding methods
- analyse a problem in face-to-face interaction applying technical transcription skills
- discuss scholarly debates relevant to a multimodal interaction problem
- describe how speakers combine language and bodily resources to produce meaning
- explain major theories accounting for gesture and eye gaze modalities
- summarise key empirical studies on modalities coordinated with speech
- Topics in Psycholinguistics: Language Processing
What you learn (3)
- communicate design and results of psycholinguistic research clearly
- analyse predictions of competing psycholinguistic approaches
- construct coherent analytic arguments on psycholinguistic theory
- A Usage-based View of Language
What you learn (9)
- communicate ideas clearly in oral and written form
- organise own study schedule independently
- derive general patterns from specific language examples
- construct a reasoned argument about language use
- summarise complex linguistic texts concisely
- debate opposing viewpoints on a linguistic topic
- classify linguistic data into appropriate categories
- interpret patterns found in language data
- produce written work in an academic register
- English Place-names across Time and Space
What you learn (10)
- explain how multiple languages contributed to English place-names
- identify suitable scholarly sources for place-name research
- synthesise accurate information gathered from scholarly sources
- evaluate scholarly arguments about place-names critically
- interrogate the evidence and assumptions behind differing scholarly viewpoints
- plan and manage a research project on English place-names
- apply established methodologies of place-name study
- analyse place-names as evidence of historical language use
- identify recurring patterns within place-name data
- communicate place-name research findings to specialist and general audiences
- Universals and Variation in Syntactic Systems
What you learn (9)
- apply syntactic and semantic diagnostic tests to varied constructions
- combine knowledge of structural properties and their variation into a coherent account
- identify recurring patterns within linguistic data sets
- describe data distribution using universal grammar and parameter concepts
- construct detailed generalisations about linguistic phenomena
- describe current proposals within generative syntax theory
- integrate descriptive findings within a broader theoretical framework
- construct and develop theoretical arguments about syntactic phenomena
- explain the relationship between universality and variation within a theoretical framework
- Translation: Methodology and Practice
What you learn (4)
- discuss key issues in translation theory and practice
- evaluate own translation work using translation studies concepts
- critique translations produced by others with reasoned justification
- construct a coherent argument supported by relevant academic literature
- World Cinemas: Representing National and Transnational Societies and Cultures
What you learn (9)
- identify key films within their social and cultural context
- describe the political and historical background of selected films
- analyse films in relation to their cultural and societal context
- compare films across different national contexts
- research film texts using appropriate academic sources
- contribute constructively to a collaborative project
- gather and organise information about films for presentation
- present findings on cinema to varied audiences
- communicate fluently in the target language at an advanced level
- Independent Study in Languages and Cultures
What you learn (7)
- design a course of independent study in a chosen cultural/linguistic field
- evaluate existing research critically within a chosen topic
- apply prior knowledge of a target-language country's society and culture to the study
- explain key issues debated in the relevant academic literature
- critique prior scholarship relating to the chosen topic
- summarise previous scholarship on the chosen topic
- communicate complex ideas and arguments in written form in the target language
- Independent Study in Translation
What you learn (9)
- design a self-directed study plan in a chosen translation field
- resolve translation problems using relevant scholarship
- justify translation decisions with reference to sources
- critique research relevant to a chosen translation topic
- apply prior knowledge of translation theories and methods
- explain key debates in the literature on a translation topic
- summarise previous scholarship in a chosen translation area
- critique existing scholarship in a chosen translation area
- communicate complex translation arguments in writing
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£24,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£20k
Median£24k
Upper quarter£28k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 100 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 13, 23
Half of graduates earned between £19,500 and £28,000. Five years on, the median is £29,000. 85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 60% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 11% left | 97% | 60 |
| In work or study, 15 months on10% studying | 85% | 25 |
| Professional or managerial job | 60% | 15 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £27,000 | 20 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £24,000 | 100 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £29,000 | 110 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £30,150 in fees over 3 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £27,800 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
85%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 77% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 75 students answered
Highest: 97% agreed on question 1; lowest: 52% on question 24.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 97% |
| Question 2 | 87% |
| Question 3 | 90% |
| Question 4 | 82% |
| Question 5 | 85% |
| Question 6 | 84% |
| Question 7 | 77% |
| Question 8 | 70% |
| Question 9 | 85% |
| Question 10 | 67% |
| Question 11 | 89% |
| Question 12 | 81% |
| Question 13 | 87% |
| Question 14 | 52% |
| Question 15 | 95% |
| Question 16 | 92% |
| Question 17 | 69% |
| Question 18 | 79% |
| Question 19 | 86% |
| Question 20 | 96% |
| Question 21 | 85% |
| Question 22 | 89% |
| Question 23 | 88% |
| Question 24 | 52% |
| Question 25 | 57% |
| Question 26 | 85% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.