Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics

Language, Naturally!

There are thousands of languages worldwide. We all speak and understand at least one of them, which we effortlessly learned as a child. Language comes so naturally that we hardly give it any thought, but linguistics studies this phenomenon in a scientific way: how we acquire it, how we use it, and how it develops through the centuries.

In the Bachelor’s program in Linguistics, you will learn how language works, what processes take place in our brain when we talk, and why languages change. Linguistics is versatile: it connects experiments (psychology), logic (philosophy), computer models (artificial intelligence), and fieldwork (anthropology) to understand the most important feature of humankind: language!

Is Linguistics for you?

Linguistics is a broad field of study. You can choose it if you are interested in the relation between language and culture if you are interested in how language is ‘wired’ in the brain if you are interested in its mathematical structure or its role in Artificial Intelligence. You can choose it if you are interested in the evolution of languages and societies through the centuries. And you can choose it if you are interested in all these things together too!

I was actually a kind of cross between someone who likes humanities and someone who likes science subjects. I found that combination here in the Linguistics program as well.



Elise Prins graduated in 2015

Why Utrecht University

Broad Perspective on Language

The program in Utrecht provides a broad education in Linguistics, spanning theory and experiments, language in the brain and language on the street, languages’ spoken form, and conceptual representation. The practical aspect of language disorders and language technology is also covered. The lecturers are not only linguists but also mathematicians, psychologists, and speech therapists.

Humanities for the Science-Minded

That’s what the Keuzegids higher education guide calls Linguistics. For the program in Utrecht, this means learning to take a very careful look at language phenomena while applying a bit of mathematics. And thanks to the close ties between Linguistics and Artificial Intelligence in Utrecht, you can take courses in that program as well.

In the Lab and on the Street

Utrecht has a special laboratory for linguistic research, including a baby lab where we study how children between 4 and 24 months acquire language. There’s a great chance that you’ll be involved in a study as well! But you can also take to the streets, to conduct fieldwork, such as on multilingualism or on different pronunciations.

Small-Group Learning Experience

Linguistics in Utrecht is organized on a small scale, with teaching done in small groups and close connections between students and lecturers. The student society Babel plays an important role in social and academic life (with lectures, drinks receptions, study trips, book discounts).

After a Bachelor's most students go on to take a follow-on Master’s program. A Master’s allows you to work in various fields of employment. It all depends on the direction you followed in your specialization.

Unlike in professionally-oriented programs, at university, you will not usually be trained for a specific profession. When you obtain a university degree, this shows that you possess an academic work ethic and mindset. After your studies, you can pursue whatever profession you like.

Consultant for Second and Third Language Education

How should you approach second or third language education? What’s the best way to teach people a new language? You ensure that you have all the information, know the pros and cons, and understand the implications. You will use this as the basis for advising your employer.

Ph.D. in Linguistics

After your Master’s program, as a Ph.D. candidate in Linguistics, you will conduct research under the supervision of a professor in the field of linguistics, such as at the renowned Utrecht Institute of Linguistics.

Your research will focus, for instance, on language development, the structures of language, differences between languages or language disorders. As a Ph.D. candidate, you are aware of the developments in linguistics and use this as a basis for drawing up a societally and academically relevant research proposal. You will mainly be occupied with your research, but you will also supervise students and take classes to acquire more in-depth knowledge.

You will conclude your doctoral research by writing and defending a doctoral thesis to get your Ph.D.

Communications Consultant

A communications consultant provides advice on the communications of a company, person, or government agency. How and when do you communicate which information? That’s up to you. You decide what is the best way for the company to convey certain information to staff or customers, and you help to put that decision into practice.

A communications consultant provides the internal and external communications within the organization and the external communications of the organization to the world outside. You ensure that all parties follow the same communications policy at all touchpoints, both verbally and in writing.

Editor/Journalist

You edit news and other publications for various media, such as newspapers, radio/television, and the internet based on your knowledge of trends in society.