Linguistics BA

Modern linguistics is the scientific study of all aspects of the world’s languages from their sound systems and grammatical structure through to the interaction of language with culture, the study of meaning in language, and the use of language in modern technology.

Linguistics at SOAS is all about appreciating the diversity of cultures beyond Europe and the English-speaking world. Anyone who has a particular interest in the languages of a country or region in Asia, Africa or the Middle East will feel very much at home on this programme. More generally, Linguistics is the ideal subject for those who are interested in human culture and psychology, but who enjoy approaching questions about our world in a systematic, precise, logical intellectual framework.

Why study Linguistics at SOAS?

SOAS is ranked 13th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2025)Modern linguistics is the scientific study of all aspects of the world’s languages from their sound systems and grammatical structure through to the interaction of language with culture, the study of meaning in language, and the use of language in modern technology.

Linguistics at SOAS is all about appreciating the diversity of cultures beyond Europe and the English-speaking world. Anyone who has a particular interest in the languages of a country or region in Asia, Africa or the Middle East will feel very much at home on this programme. More generally, Linguistics is the ideal subject for those who are interested in human culture and psychology, but who enjoy approaching questions about our world in a systematic, precise, logical intellectual framework.

Why study Linguistics at SOAS?

• SOAS is ranked 13th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• We are ranked 11th in the UK for Linguistics (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• We are ranked 7th in the UK for Asian Studies (Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2026)
• We are ranked 7th in the UK for African and Middle Eastern Studies (Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2026)
• Modern Languages and Linguistics at SOAS has been ranked 10th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
• We've also been ranked 4th for research environment - with 100% of our research ranked as 'internationally excellent' and 85% as 'world-leading' - and 8th for research outputs in the REF 2021
• 
  
• We are ranked 11th in the UK for Linguistics (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• We are ranked 7th in the UK for Asian Studies (Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2026)
• We are ranked 7th in the UK for African and Middle Eastern Studies (Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2026)
• Modern Languages and Linguistics at SOAS has been ranked 10th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
• We've also been ranked 4th for research environment - with 100% of our research ranked as 'internationally excellent' and 85% as 'world-leading' - and 8th for research outputs in the REF 2021