Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Overview

The BA Applied Linguistics at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University offers a comprehensive curriculum that merges essential linguistic training with practical applications in communication, translation, and the influence of language within society and technology. Students have the opportunity to tailor their studies through optional modules that reflect their personal interests, covering diverse areas such as language education, corpus linguistics, and computational linguistics.

What you'll study

The programme is structured over three years, focusing on core linguistic principles and allowing for specialisation in applied fields. The curriculum is designed to evolve, offering a variety of modules each academic year.

Year 1: Foundations

• Introduction to Linguistics: Grammar
• Language and Society
• Academic Skills for Linguistics (including writing, analysis, and study methods)

Year 2: Core Applied Linguistics

• Semantics and Pragmatics
• Cognitive Linguistics
• Intercultural Communication

Year 3: Applied Pathways (Options)

• Language Studies for Translation
• Elective modules that align with your interests (e.g., corpus-based approaches, language education, or professional communication)
• Additional electives from approved linguistics or applied language modules

Year 4: Specialisation and Capstone

• Advanced Applied Linguistics modules based on your chosen pathway
• Capstone project or dissertation-style assessment, with topics agreed upon with academic staff
• Final electives, subject to availability

Example pathway combinations (subject to module offerings):

• Education-focused: Language Education + Bilingual and Multilingual Development
• Technology/data-focused: Computational Linguistics + Corpus Linguistics
• Clinical/communication-focused: Psycholinguistics + Language Pathology

Entry requirements

Applicants must possess suitable high school qualifications or equivalent. Strong academic performance is expected, particularly in relevant subjects.

Year Two entry (where applicable): Students with A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (or equivalent) may qualify for entry into Year Two, with requirements varying by programme and subject relevance.

• A-level: BBB
• IB Diploma: 30 points
• AP/ACT/SAT II: High school diploma with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or above

Career prospects

Graduates of the BA Applied Linguistics programme can pursue diverse career paths in sectors such as education, translation, communication, and technology. The skills gained through this degree prepare students for roles in language teaching, linguistic research, language policy, and various positions within international organisations and businesses that require strong communication and analytical skills.