Linguistics
Overview
Why do we use language in different ways in different situations? How do our social identities and cultural practices shape the way we speak? What can linguistic diversity teach us about human history and cognition?
Linguistics is the scientific study of language in all its facets—from the structure of sounds and sentences to the creation of meaning in context and its profound role in society, culture, and the human mind.
In the Discipline of Linguistics at the University of Sydney, you will explore these questions and more within one of the world's most renowned departments. We are global leader in functional linguistics, and our researchers and teachers are dedicated to understanding every aspect of language, from the most intimate conversations to the global forces that shape communication.
You will learn from award-winning teachers and researchers who are investigating diverse languages across Australia, the Asia-Pacific, and beyond. Our staff are at the forefront of fields such as:
- Language Documentation and Description: Fieldwork-based research into global Indigenous and other minority languages
- Functional-Typological Linguistics: Mapping the diverse structures of human languages globally and explaining them through communicative and evolutionary processes
- Languages of the Himalaya and Greater Mainland Southeast Asia: Sydney has among the world’s highest concentrations of expertise in the linguistics of mainland Asian languages
- Community-Engaged Linguistics: Combining research practice and training to support community-based language documentation and development
- Social Semiotics & Discourse Analysis: Analysing media, political, and digital communication
- Educational Linguistics: Exploring the intersection of language and learning, from literacy development to language policy across diverse contexts.
- Applied and Cross-cultural Linguistics: Solving real-world communication problems in contexts like education, healthcare, and law across diverse cultural settings.
- Corpus linguistics, Digital Humanities & Computational Social Science: Harnessing the power of computer tools in the study of text and language
- Subaltern and CREDIBLE Linguistics: Developing community-centred approaches to language research that prioritise social justice and equitable practice
- Ecology of Language: Understanding the interaction between language, society, and the environment.
- Historical linguistics and language contact: Understanding the forces that have given rise to the shape of the languages of today
Studying linguistics equips you with a powerful set of analytical and communication skills, preparing you for a career in fields such as education, translation, AI and technology, policy, cross-cultural consulting, endangered language revitalization and research. A degree in linguistics empowers you to understand, analyse, and navigate the complexities of human communication in an increasingly interconnected world.
Requirements for completion
The Linguistics major and minor requirements are listed in the Linguistics unit of study table.
Honours
The Honours year is an intensive program of advanced study (coursework) with a research focus (thesis). Students considering enrolling in Linguistics honours are encouraged to consult with the Linguistics Honours Coordinator as early as possible, preferably during their second year of study.
The discipline of Linguistics encourages joint honours programs.
Honours admission requirements
Admission to honours is via the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and requires the completion of a major in Linguistics with an average of 70 percent or above, as well as completion of an additional 12 credit points at 2000 or 3000-level from the Linguistics table.
Prior to commencing, you will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or other bachelor degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units. For pre-July 2024 students, where undertaking a Bachelor of Advanced Studies, a second major is also required.
Requirements and units of study for honours can be found on the Linguistics honours units of study page.
Contacts and further information
Contact details can be found on these websites:
