The Centre for Religion and Public Life

UCAS code

QT12

Modes of study and duration of the course

4 Years Full Time

Contact for further information

Please email jointhonourslang@leeds.ac.uk or for urgent enquiries telephone 0113 343 4346.

Why study?

The University of Leeds offers the widest choice of Joint Honours combinations in the UK - over 250 programmes. So if you have enjoyed two subjects equally at school/college or would like to combine your favourite subject with a new area of study, then joint honours at Leeds may be for you.
Joint honours students study the same core topics as their single honours friends, but are required to choose fewer options and electives. This is to allow space in their timetable for both 'halves' of their degree.
The intellectual range of such a degree, together with the organisational skill in combining two subject areas makes you very attractive to employers. Our courses allow you to study your chosen subjects in depth, and to graduate with an honours degree covering two disciplines.

Related courses

• BA Japanese
• BA Linguistics and Phonetics

Entry requirements

AAB at A level including a foreign language, but excluding General Studies/Critical Thinking. Access to Leeds participants will receive a lower offer (see 'Selection principles' below). We welcome a wide range of qualifications - further details here.

How to apply

Applications should be made through UCAS, www.ucas.ac.uk

Entry / admissions tests

We may request a piece of written work or invite candidates to a selection interview.

Selection principles

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are keen to support those who have the potential to succeed but whose personal circumstances may have affected their levels of achievement. For this reason, we encourage participation in the Access to Leeds scheme - enter the phrase 'Access to Leeds' into our search engine for details.

What you study

Japanese
Japanese is not an inherently difficult language but it is very different from English and other European languages and makes use of a writing system which has a beauty of its own. Our students acquire a high level of ability in the spoken and written languages of contemporary Japan, together with an understanding of the society in which they are used.
The staff of the Department of East Asian Studies includes native speakers of Chinese and Japanese with interests in the culture, politics, economies and social structures of East and South East Asian societies.
All students take the same core modules in Japanese in their first year which provides the groundwork for studying abroad in year two. Once in Japan, you will take language courses at a university in Osaka, Fukuoka, Kobe, Kyoto or Tokyo. You are expected to achieve a high standard of day-to-day language ability and to learn from your experience of living in these very different societies. The upper-level language modules build on the skills you will learn abroad, offering you the chance to use a wider range of language and styles, from those of newspapers and television to those of literature and theatre.

Download Joint Honours Japanese course information

Linguistics
Linguistics and phonetics provide a scientific approach to the study of language as a universal human attribute. Phonetics examines all aspects of the speech process: production, perception and the speech patterns of particular languages. Linguistics deals with the structure and use of human language: theories of grammar and meaning, and the study of language in its social context. Computers are used as a tool for various kinds of language analysis.
The Department of Linguistics and Phonetics offers a wide range of courses in phonetics, syntax, discourse studies, computing, historical linguistics, phonology and sociolinguistics.

Download Joint Honours Linguistics course information

Study abroad opportunities

Japanese Year Abroad
You follow year-long courses provided by universities in Osaka, Fukuoka, Kobe, Kyoto or Tokyo.

Current modules taught

Module Catalogue

Key facts

East Asian Research Society (EARS) is one of the premier student societies at Leeds. Click here for details.
Please note that the University is not responsible for content on external websites.

Downloads:
Download Joint Honours Japanese course information
Download Joint Honours Linguistics course information

Who do I contact to visit the department?

Before applying you may like to consider attending a pre-application open day. These will take place in June and October. Further information about these events can be found at www.leeds.ac.uk/opendays .

If you apply and are made an offer you will also be invited to a post-application Open Day. These run on a regular basis between January and March.

Learning and assessment

Studying at university is different from school or college in that you will benefit from a variety of teaching and learning styles. These include lectures, small-group seminars or tutorials and, in some subjects, workshops. Your lecturers are all experts in their fields. There is greater emphasis on independent learning. You will prepare for lectures and seminars by doing some research, which means reading in the libraries, checking sources and discovering more information or new ideas related to your subject. Often you will do this on your own but you may also work in groups; whichever the case, your lecturer or tutor will always be on hand to help. In your first year of study you will cover the core elements of your subject(s) in detail, so that by the end of the year you will have acquired a sound knowledge base. After your first year you will be able to choose what you want to study from a wide range of optional modules – your tutors will advise you on making your choices. You will continue to be taught via lectures, seminars and tutorials throughout your degree. In your final year you may undertake a supervised research project or dissertation on a favourite topic. This type of extended, research-based project showcases many of the attributes – critical thinking, advanced research and literacy skills, the assimilation and organisation of complex ideas – that we know are highly valued by employers.

We use different types of assessment. Normally it is a mixture of examinations and course essays, but some modules include oral presentations or group work as assessed components. In preparation for your assessments, you will receive written and verbal feedback on practice essays and take part in exam revision sessions. You will also be able to attend extra classes on topics such as exam writing technique, how to conduct research in your subject, how to structure an essay and public speaking. This additional support will be available throughout your time at Leeds.

What facilities are available

• Fully equipped Language Centre including digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning).
• Access to both satellite television and iPTV (Internet Protocol Television).
• An Electronic Resource Information Centre offering specialised computing facilities for Translation Studies. Our Interpreter Training Suites allow you to explore a career in interpreting.
• Human Communication Suite consisting of a language research laboratory with phonetics instrumentation, and a recording studio.
• Expanded Phonetics Laboratory for teaching and project work.
• One of the best academic libraries in the UK with over 2.8 million items.
• Dedicated free student support services, including the Careers Centre, the Skills@Library office and a Student Advice Centre.
• £360m investment in new buildings and facilities, including new 25 metre swimming pool and new 200 station gymnasium.

As a student of the University you will also benefit from excellent sporting, cultural and student union facilities.

Fees

For information about our fees and details of the financial support that may be available to you please visit www.leeds.ac.uk/yourfinances

Scholarships and bursaries

For information on the University's scholarships and bursaries see www.leeds.ac.uk/yourfinances

Career opportunities

Our experienced staff can offer you support and information to help you plan your career effectively. Find further details by entering the phrase 'planning and deciding' into the search function of http://careerweb.leeds.ac.uk

Work placement opportunities

The latest details and opportunities are shown by entering the phrase 'student work placements' into the search function of http://careerweb.leeds.ac.uk