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Applying for joint AND single honours

My personal statement is written for a joint honours course (languages/ linguistics), and 4/5 of my uni choices is that course. For my last choice, I want to apply for just linguistics. Would this work out? Because obviously a portion of my ps is dedicated to just modern languages, and I don’t want to be rejected because of that.

Am I able to apply for just linguistics as my 5th choice considering that?
Original post
by meoow
My personal statement is written for a joint honours course (languages/ linguistics), and 4/5 of my uni choices is that course. For my last choice, I want to apply for just linguistics. Would this work out? Because obviously a portion of my ps is dedicated to just modern languages, and I don’t want to be rejected because of that.

Am I able to apply for just linguistics as my 5th choice considering that?


Sure. Or you can email them beforehand and ask if they'll accept an alternative personal statement.

Reply 2

Original post
by meoow
My personal statement is written for a joint honours course (languages/ linguistics), and 4/5 of my uni choices is that course. For my last choice, I want to apply for just linguistics. Would this work out? Because obviously a portion of my ps is dedicated to just modern languages, and I don’t want to be rejected because of that.
Am I able to apply for just linguistics as my 5th choice considering that?

I mean, as long as you still explain why you want to study ling well and show you are actually motivated, I reckon they should be fine with it ‘cos linguistics is a niche subject anyway, and languages degrees are deemed to be related. Mind if I ask what your choices are? I’m going for languages and linguistics too.

Reply 3

It'll be fine, they are obviously connected subjects so anything you write about specific languages will be equally applicable to 'just linguistics'.
I'd contend that this may or may not actually work, depending on the nature of the linguistics course. Linguistics is quite distinct from language learning - if the linguistics course is very applied linguistics oriented and focused on e.g. SLA, translation issues, maybe sociolinguistics type stuff then probably an easier sell. If it's an extremely generative linguistic theory oriented course I think it might be harder to write an effective PS that also caters to the language courses, personally.

Reply 5

Original post
by artful_lounger
I'd contend that this may or may not actually work, depending on the nature of the linguistics course. Linguistics is quite distinct from language learning - if the linguistics course is very applied linguistics oriented and focused on e.g. SLA, translation issues, maybe sociolinguistics type stuff then probably an easier sell. If it's an extremely generative linguistic theory oriented course I think it might be harder to write an effective PS that also caters to the language courses, personally.

But they would already be writing a PS for Languages and Linguistics.

Reply 6

Original post
by artful_lounger
I'd contend that this may or may not actually work, depending on the nature of the linguistics course. Linguistics is quite distinct from language learning - if the linguistics course is very applied linguistics oriented and focused on e.g. SLA, translation issues, maybe sociolinguistics type stuff then probably an easier sell. If it's an extremely generative linguistic theory oriented course I think it might be harder to write an effective PS that also caters to the language courses, personally.

Perhaps. From my experience talking to profs at open days, I do get the impression that they are generally more flexible in many areas of the application process. I think it would work *because* this is linguistics specifically, because there can’t really be an expectation of prior knowledge. Their PS does still need to show they know what the subject is and want to study it. I think your caveat it right, but the only course that fits that bill is Cambridge, which wouldn’t be their fifth choice.
Original post
by McGinger
But they would already be writing a PS for Languages and Linguistics.

Yes but one of the courses would be pure linguistics - talking about some random language learning/culture stuff not in the context of applied linguistics may be a little odd for a very generative course like Cambridge or UCL I imagine (particularly as at UCL linguistics is not even in the same faculty as languages and are only available as external elective modules for language students!).

I'm not saying it's impossible to walk that line but I think would be much harder than for a more applied linguistics course (I think Cardiff has such a course although with all the closures there lately I have no idea if it even still exists).

Reply 8

Yeah I can’t speak for UCL, I don’t know anything about their course. But the separate faculty thing doesn’t mean much because yes, they are different subjects, a lot of places have split faculties but still wouldn’t freak out about having one PS with both. I think it’s comparable to applying for Art/Art History - yes, these are different skill sets. But if it’s not Oxbridge, I would bet an Art PS wouldn’t immediately discount you from an Art History course.

like tl;dr it depends where you’re applying but imo you should be fine
Original post
by autoharp99
Yeah I can’t speak for UCL, I don’t know anything about their course. But the separate faculty thing doesn’t mean much because yes, they are different subjects, a lot of places have split faculties but still wouldn’t freak out about having one PS with both. I think it’s comparable to applying for Art/Art History - yes, these are different skill sets. But if it’s not Oxbridge, I would bet an Art PS wouldn’t immediately discount you from an Art History course.


Art and history of art are also entirely different fields and largely separate. You really are illustrating my point - there's common assumptions that due to interrelationships between two fields and the fact students of one may take the other (although not necessarily vice versa) they are significantly overlapping. This is in fact not the case for either linguistics/languages or art/history of art.

Again, as I said, it's not an impossible line to walk but one would have to be very thoughtful about how they constructed their PS if applying to a theoretical or experimentally aligned linguistics single honours degree somewhere and joint courses in languages and linguistics elsewhere.

As an aside I think any reputable history of art department would be put off by a personal statement principally discussing the applicant's art practice and influences.

Reply 10

Original post
by artful_lounger
Art and history of art are also entirely different fields and largely separate. You really are illustrating my point - there's common assumptions that due to interrelationships between two fields and the fact students of one may take the other (although not necessarily vice versa) they are significantly overlapping. This is in fact not the case for either linguistics/languages or art/history of art.
Again, as I said, it's not an impossible line to walk but one would have to be very thoughtful about how they constructed their PS if applying to a theoretical or experimentally aligned linguistics single honours degree somewhere and joint courses in languages and linguistics elsewhere.
As an aside I think any reputable history of art department would be put off by a personal statement principally discussing the applicant's art practice and influences.

Fine, mea culpa, but I should repeat that I am also applying for German and Linguistics and I pretty much asked this question to a Linguistics professor at the Edinburgh open day yesterday. Linguistics is so niche that generally, they. will. understand.

You obviously can just write another PS, but check if the uni will accept an additional one (some don’t) - unless the course is very competitive, I don’t think it’s necessary, especially for a fifth choice 🤷

Reply 11

Original post
by autoharp99
I mean, as long as you still explain why you want to study ling well and show you are actually motivated, I reckon they should be fine with it ‘cos linguistics is a niche subject anyway, and languages degrees are deemed to be related. Mind if I ask what your choices are? I’m going for languages and linguistics too.

hey thanks for your reply, I figured that I'm just gonna apply to 4 unis first and then figure out the 5th option later on. I'm definitely applying to Warwick and Cardiff and 2 from Leeds, Essex and Sheffield (severe indecisiveness). This is actually the first time I've met someone applying for the same course!! what are your choices if you don't mind me asking either?

Reply 12

Original post
by meoow
My personal statement is written for a joint honours course (languages/ linguistics), and 4/5 of my uni choices is that course. For my last choice, I want to apply for just linguistics. Would this work out? Because obviously a portion of my ps is dedicated to just modern languages, and I don’t want to be rejected because of that.
Am I able to apply for just linguistics as my 5th choice considering that?

Hi @meoow

You can absolutely still apply for linguistics!

Universities will be aware you are applying for various options, so as long as you are still mentioning linguistics in your personal statement, then you are perfectly fine to cover both.

My favourite article covering this question is the UCAS "How to write a personal statement that works for multiple courses", it has some excellent advice.

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)

Reply 13

Original post
by meoow
hey thanks for your reply, I figured that I'm just gonna apply to 4 unis first and then figure out the 5th option later on. I'm definitely applying to Warwick and Cardiff and 2 from Leeds, Essex and Sheffield (severe indecisiveness). This is actually the first time I've met someone applying for the same course!! what are your choices if you don't mind me asking either?
Hii! Yeah that’s completely fair, I just wanted it over and done with lmao. J feel like we’re really few and far between, but I’m actually so looking forward to starting cos I’ve never met a linguistics person who wasn’t cool! My choices are Oxford, Edinburgh, York, SOAS, and ULIP, but I really wanted to apply Warwick too cos I’ve heard great things about the course :biggrin:. Which language are you going for??

Reply 14

that's so valid, its much easier that way lol
I know right! When I went to the Warwick open day there were only like 8 other people there interested, which could be a good or a bad thing 🥲 I do wonder how some courses stay going with so little people interested but I'm glad they do! I was also considering York, what made you choose it? Yep Warwick was great but ur other choices seem to be equally as good! I have the option of a few languages, but I'm most likely gonna do Spanish because I did it at gcse and really enjoyed it- what language are you going for?

Reply 15

Original post
by meoow
that's so valid, its much easier that way lol
I know right! When I went to the Warwick open day there were only like 8 other people there interested, which could be a good or a bad thing 🥲 I do wonder how some courses stay going with so little people interested but I'm glad they do! I was also considering York, what made you choose it? Yep Warwick was great but ur other choices seem to be equally as good! I have the option of a few languages, but I'm most likely gonna do Spanish because I did it at gcse and really enjoyed it- what language are you going for?
Yeah, fairs. I’m going for German. Honestly I just like and the course was fine, and the rankings were good. Probably gonna be my insurance ‘cos I can’t afford london prices LMAO. Best of luck with your application!

Reply 16

Original post
by meoow
My personal statement is written for a joint honours course (languages/ linguistics), and 4/5 of my uni choices is that course. For my last choice, I want to apply for just linguistics. Would this work out? Because obviously a portion of my ps is dedicated to just modern languages, and I don’t want to be rejected because of that.
Am I able to apply for just linguistics as my 5th choice considering that?

Hi there,
As stated by below by many others, I would recommend aiming to cover both languages and linguistic studies in your personal statement. As the courses you are applying too are similar, I wouldn't worry too much about being rejected because of different courses being applied to. Universities are aware that the statement has to be made for all your options and that will be taken into consideration. The link given above (I will add it here too: UCAS Multiple degrees personal statement) is definitely helpful so do look at that.

Good Luck
Sarah :smile:
(edited 2 weeks ago)

Reply 17

Original post
by meoow
My personal statement is written for a joint honours course (languages/ linguistics), and 4/5 of my uni choices is that course. For my last choice, I want to apply for just linguistics. Would this work out? Because obviously a portion of my ps is dedicated to just modern languages, and I don’t want to be rejected because of that.
Am I able to apply for just linguistics as my 5th choice considering that?

Hey!😊 Yes, I believe that can definitely work. Linguistics and modern languages overlap so much that a statement written for the joint course should still make sense to a straight-linguistics admissions tutor. If your PS already talks about how language works, things like grammar, phonetics, communication or link between language and culture that's all directly relevant.

Trenyce (Kingston Rep)

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