Linguistics (BA)

Why study Linguistics?

How do children acquire their native language? Why are some politicians better at convincing the electorate than others? How have Germanic languages developed over the centuries? How and why do languages differ from one another? These are the kinds of questions linguists seek to answer. In this programme you will explore many different aspects of language. In your first year you will build a broad knowledge base. In your second and third year you will focus on the specialisation of your choice.

The Linguistics department at Leiden University is an internationally renowned academic institute. We offer exciting and interactive lectures, a broad curriculum that covers almost every corner of the globe and the most intriguing topics, as well as the flexibility to define your own educational experience. With the freedom to follow your own interests and support from our lecturers, the BA in Linguistics will give you the edge to succeed in the career of your choice.

Isaac Eaton

Student

"Linguistics is a very broad field. If you have a passion for language, there will be a part of linguistics that you find interesting. In high school I already knew I wanted to study linguistics, since I was always good with languages. Because I wanted an extra challenge, I decided to study abroad. The Netherlands seemed like the perfect place to get to know a new culture that is still similar enough to what I was used to. Leiden is also the only place where you can study Descriptive and Comparative Linguistics on the Bachelor's level, two subjects that I'm very much interested in."

Alwin Kloekhorst

University Lecturer

“Linguistics at Leiden is a very broad programme. Anyone who is interested in language, who questions where words come from, or how Geert Wilders manages to wind people up with his pronouncements, will be fascinated by the curriculum. If you are not yet sure which area interests you most, don’t worry: you will be introduced to the different specialisations during the programme. By the time you graduate you will understand every type of linguistic expression – sentences, words, and sounds – inside out.”

The difference between Linguistics and a language programme

Linguistics differs from academic language programmes. In a language programme, students learn how to speak, read, and write a specific language. They also focus on the relevant history, literature, and society associated with that language. As a Linguistics student, you study language structure, sounds, syntax and language development in depth. This does not mean you cannot get acquainted with a new language. In our bachelor’s programme we also offer courses where you can learn about a new language, such as Hittite or Leti. However, the main purpose of learning these languages is to enable you to analyse their structure and to compare them with other languages.

Four specialisations

In the second year you choose one of four specialisations: 

• Descriptive Linguistics (taught in English)
• Language and Cognition (taught in English)
• Comparative Indo-European Linguistics (taught in English)
• Taal in Gebruik (primarily taught in Dutch)

Wall poems. They are everywhere in the city centre of Leiden. When roaming around, you come across poetry written in the Latin alphabet, but also in scripts that may be more difficult to understand. In a new series of videos, linguist Tijmen Pronk talks more about all the foreign scripts that can be seen. Continue reading.

Why linguistics matters

Linguistic research helps us better understand human communication. This discipline studies all aspects of language, which has many practical applications. Some examples include solutions for people with speech disorders, the development of language software, or the description of endangered languages in order to preserve them.

A multifaceted programme

Linguistics connects with many other disciplines, including sociology, communication science, anthropology, history, and archaeology, as well as biology, psychology, neuroscience, and computer science. Depending on your chosen specialisation, you will have the chance to design and conduct your own experimental research, which you can carry out in one of our four language labs: the Babylab, the EEG lab, the Phonetics lab or the Eye-tracking lab.

Curious? Try the Online Experience!

Wondering if Linguistics is for you? Dive into our Online Experience! Watch mini-lectures, tackle small assignments, and see what the first year is all about. This is an easy way to get a taste of the first year of our programme.

Why Linguistics at Leiden University?

• Join a university where more than 60 languages are taught and researched. Leiden University is one of a handful of universities in the world with such a high concentration of language specialists.
• Specialise in what interests you most. With four separate study tracks and a wide range of electives and additional educational opportunities, you can customise your degree to meet your goals.
• Two of our four specialisations are rarely offered in other BA programmes in Europe or even the world: Descriptive Linguistics and Comparative Indo-European Linguistics.
• Learn in small classes where you can enjoy regular, quality interaction with your teachers and fellow students.
• Our lecturers are leading experts in their field, and their current research is reflected in their teaching.
• We have excellent facilities in Leiden, including four language labs.
• You will be part of a lively international community of students and teachers.
• Get the best start to your career. A linguistics qualification from top-ranking Leiden University is respected by organisations worldwide.

Is Linguistics for you?

For this programme you need to have a strong command of English, and if you wish to pursue our Dutch-taught track, a good command of Dutch as well. However, you do not need to speak and write any other languages when starting this programme. It is, however, very important that you have a strong interest in language as a phenomenon. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you like to immerse yourself in language?
• Do you enjoy exploring and solving complicated questions?
• Are you up to the challenge of reading complex scientific papers?
• Do you consider yourself curious, persistent and self-disciplined?
• Are you a person who enjoys studying in an international environment?

If your answer is yes, Linguistics is the programme for you!

Note: Although linguistics is a Humanities programme, it also has a strong science-oriented component, which means that this bachelor's programme is a very good choice for students interested in science as well.

Check out the Linguistics programme.