The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Linguistics

Linguistics is the study of the nature of human language.

On this page

  1. Introduction
  2. Course description, features and facilities
  3. Student profile
  4. Structure
  5. Popular combinations
  6. You may also be interested in…
  7. Career opportunities
  8. Further study opportunities
  9. Entrance requirements
  10. How to Apply
 

Introduction

Linguistics is concerned with what all languages have in common as well as how individual languages differ from one another. The methods and concepts of linguistics are not biased towards any particular language or languages.

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Course description, features and facilities

In practice, linguists study how languages are structured, how they are learned and used, and how languages change through time. This major includes both fascinating theoretical research and practical field-orientated projects. As a student you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of linguistic topics including grammatical descriptions and dictionaries of Australian Aboriginal languages, analysis of Australian English, Romance languages, the study of meaning in language and the relation between language and society. You do not need to know a second language or be 'good at languages' to excel in Linguistics. Many excellent linguists speak only one language – all you need is a healthy curiosity.

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Student profile

Student profile – Alison Inglis

Language has always fascinated me—how we make sounds; how we put them together to make words; how we turn strings of words into sentences and how we really convey meaning. I could see examples of what I was learning all around me—after all, language is everywhere! I started thinking about language in new ways. What was going on in my brain when I was learning French? How could I tell when people were being sarcastic? Is language the same thing as meaning? Linguistics has taught me how humans can structure their ideas into languages. This has helped me to become more aware of the language that I use every day and improved my communication skills. Most of all, I enjoy understanding what’s going on when I hear people speak and using this knowledge to help me communicate with people more effectively.

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Structure

UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.

As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.

You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.

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Career opportunities

A major in Linguistics provides a foundation for any career that involves language or languages, human social organisation and culture, or the human mind. In addition to research careers, graduates go on to careers in language teaching, speech therapy, journalism and broadcasting, translation and interpreting, Indigenous education and support work, and information technology, among others.

I want to be a…

This course could lead to becoming a:

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Further study opportunities

This major lays the foundation for further study options at honours and postgraduate level.

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Check the Entrance requirements

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Additional information
  3. English competency
  4. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)80
International Baccalaureate29

Additional information

Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

English competency

University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).

Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. English competency
  3. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
French Baccalaureat
12
International Baccalaureate
29
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
66
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
8
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
63
Trinity College Foundation Program
85
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
270
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
60
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
12
Chinese Gao Kao
525
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
12
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
60
Norwegian Vitnemål
4.14
Swedish Slutbetyg
15.70
German Abitur
3.17
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
8
South African National Senior Certificate
4.60

These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.

If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.

English competency

To be eligible for admission to a program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

Advanced standing

Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Fees
  4. Information for…
  5. Contact details - admission information

We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.

First semester entry

Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre. Applications open Monday 13 August 2012.

Closing dates:

  • On-time closing date - Friday 28 September 2012
  • The deadline for adding preferences for Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry is Friday 28 September 2012, and late applications will not be accepted.
  • Late applications for other courses will be accepted, with a late fee, until Friday 4 January 2013.
  • Students completing Year 12 in Australia in 2011 can add preferences (except for Medicine and Dentistry Assured Entry Pathways) until Friday 4 January 2013.

Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Second semester entry

Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.

Closing date:

  • Friday 22 June 2012.

After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Fees

$, per year.

This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA Admissions Centre (M353)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Location
UWA Map
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
Fax
(+61 8) 6488 1226
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Information for…
  4. Contact details - admission information

First semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing dates:

  • Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry - 30 June 2011
  • All other courses - 1 December 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Second semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing date:

  • 1 June 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA International Centre (M352)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
Fax
(+61 8) 9382 4071
Contacts
International Centre
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Location
UWA Map
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
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Linguistics: the details

Status
Available 2012
Locations offered
Crawley
Attendance types
Part-time, Full-time
Delivery mode
Internal
Starting dates
Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly first year time commitment
12-15 hours plus own study time
Standard full-time completion
3 years (BA), 4 years (BPhil(Hons))
Maximum time to complete
10 years
Degrees (available in)

This major is available in:

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

All majors (except Economics and Biomedical Science double majors, Architecture, Specialist Music Studies and Science Communication) can also be taken as second majors in any of our undergraduate degrees

Honours available
Yes
Contact details: course information

Linguistics Office
Room 2.45, on the second floor of the Social Sciences Building, Crawley, Western Australia
linguistics@uwa.edu.au
(+61 8) 64882862

Additional information

Footnote links and information

University information

CRICOS Code: 00126G

This page:

Last updated
Wednesday, 8 June, 2011 10:47 AM
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Page ID
1597748