Linguistics at UCL

Okay, I can't be botheres to quote everyone so if you want to know the answers to your questions (or those that I rememebr having read through the whole thread!), hopwfully you'll read this!

I'm another first year on the Linguistics degree - I'm currently enrolled on the International Programme, but may alter that when it comes to nearer the time - it's very acceptable and easy to transfer between the two.

I don't know how much of the course info. you've all been given so I'll provide a basic run-down - in term one, you take 4 modules; in Generative Grammar (ie. syntax), Phonetics and Phonology, Logic and Meaning (sort of semantics) and Child Language Acquistion. We have 10 hours of contact time a week - 5 of lectures and 5 of seminars, and lots of outside reading to do.In second term, you take 4 more modules, still in syntax, phonetics and semantics and also in Intro to Language which is an overview of the linguistics field in general.

For people asking if it's accelerated, then I guess it is - but I have nothing to compare it to! The way that UCL structures their teaching means that there's only exams in the third term and so all teaching is finished by the Easter holidays - this is true for all UCL departments, to my knowledge, and means you get an epically long summer!

For people who are worried that it's too 'sciencey' -well, linguistics is a mix of sciences and arts - and UCL gets the balance pretty accurate. Neurolinguistics is not taught explicitly at all as far as I know, although you can take modules outside of the department in your second and third year and so can partake in neurology modules if you wish too

The lecturers are fantastic - part of what makes UCL so innovative and world-class is the fact that the majority of their lecturers are involved in current research - which means that your tutor could well have written your textbook or any linguistics-related story which hits the headlines (oh - how rare they are!) may include quotes from the department etc. It also means that any ground-breaking discoveries which are made could well have very close links to UCL - our lecturers often reference the man who devised the IPA (claim to fame much?!)

I hope I don't sound too much like UCL are paying me to express their awesomeness - to me, it feels like something I was 'meant' to do - and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else!

In reference to uni applications in general, I'd say go with where you get the best 'vibe' and where you feel the happiest - because that's probably the place for you. Forget other peoples' influences - you're the onew who has to spend 3 or 4 years there and you need to be happy. Don't simply go for the best reputation/cheapest accomodation/wildest nightlife (or whatever else!) - consider where has everything you want and the best mix. Also take into account how far you want to be from home, options and flexibility (ie. years abroad, modules outside of dept.) and of course, the course structure itself!going to apply for 2017 and am

Anyhow, it's 1am and I have a mass spend-up planned for tomorrow which is currently occupying my thoughts and so I've forgotten the other questions! If anyone ahs anything they really want answered or any more/specific questions, feel free to quote or PM me and I'll attempt to reply (usually when avoiding Haegeman reading - if you come here, you'll have to suffer her too potentially - only bad aspect I've found!)

Hey,


I wonder if you're still around. I'm going to apply for 2017 and am considering choosing UCL as my second choice (after Cambridge).

Do you happen to know whether it's possible to specialise in the linguistics of a particular language (eg. English linguistics) in later terms?