How you Learn
The Linguistics Tripos provides the opportunity to concentrate on language as a phenomenon and on the ways languages can be analysed.
The Tripos is divided into two parts, the examination for Part I normally being taken at the end of the first year, with examinations for Part IIA and IIB at the end of the second and third years. Final degree classification is based on the Part IIB result.
The one-year Part I provides a general introduction to all areas of linguistics, while the two-year Part II allows a degree of specialisation in particular areas.
In both IIA and IIB there is a choice of lectures taught within and beyond the Department, the latter including the linguistics of particular languages. Part IIB includes an element of individual research in the form of a dissertation on a chosen topic.
The teaching of Linguistics at the University of Cambridge is delivered through a mixture of lectures, supervisions and practical sessions. A typical week involves four hours of lectures, two hours of supervisions (in groups of six students in Part I, and two students in Part II), and one to two hours of practical classes.
Students may also switch to Part II of the Linguistics Tripos after successful completion of a Part I in another Tripos. The Linguistics Tripos does not require detailed knowledge of a particular language, and so the course is accessible to those who have a general interest in and knowledge of language.
Linguistics at Trinity Hall
Trinity Hall offers a perfect environment for students of Linguistics since there is in-house expertise in a broad range of areas in the field (from descriptive fieldwork to historical and computational linguistics). In addition, there are Fellows and teaching staff specialised in Arabic, Chinese, Classics, English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Welsh and Tibeto-Burman languages. Students of Linguistics and other subjects in the MML Faculty form a great community at Trinity Hall, which makes it an inspiring place to study with an excellent support network. Situated in the centre of town, just a short walk from the University Library and the Sidgwick Site and where all lectures and many supervisions in Linguistics take place, Trinity Hall forms an ideal location to start your University life.
Entry Requirements
| Typical Offer Conditions |
| A–Level: |
A*AA |
| IB: |
41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Other: |
See the University’s Entrance Requirements page |
| Subject Requirements |
| Essential: |
None |
| Desirable: |
None |
Written Work
Two school essays on any subject.
Admissions Assessment
All applicants are required to take the pre-interview written assessment for Linguistics at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college). You must be registered in advance (separately to your UCAS application) to take the assessment – the registration deadline is 15 October 2019. Please see the Admissions Assessments page on the University website for further details.
General Comments
Linguistics is interdisciplinary so specific A–Level subjects are not required. We welcome applicants with an outstanding academic profile, whether science-oriented or arts-centred. However, some formal study of language, either through learning languages or through English Language A–Level, does serve as a good preparation.
The main requirement for studying Linguistics is a lively curiosity about the nature of language.
