The University of Western Australia

Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics)

Nationally Recognised Higher Education

This major aims to give you the broadest possible grounding in contemporary linguistics and enables you to specialise in your areas of interest. This major includes both fascinating theoretical research and practical field-orientated projects. You'll have the opportunity to work on a variety of linguistic topics including grammatical descriptions and dictionaries of Australian Aboriginal languages, analysis of Australian English and Romance languages, the study of meaning in language and the relation between language and society. You do not need to know a second language or 'be good at languages' to excel in Linguistics. Many excellent linguists speak only one language; all you need is a healthy curiosity.

Delivery mode

The University of Western Australia offers this course through the following delivery modes:

On campus

Work with instructors and classmates in a supportive and collaborative environment.


Locations
  • 35 Stirling Highway, Perth

Entry requirements

Domestic Students

  • There are no mandated entry requirements.

English competency

Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 (must include Academic Reading and Writing modules).

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years) Australian Year 12 students

  • To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees based on previous or current Australian Year 12 studies, applicants must have completed the relevant state Certificate of Education and achieved an Australian Tertiary Aggregate Rank (ATAR) of 75 or above. Applicants must also provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements.
  • Applicants completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) are required to successfully complete the diploma program. To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees, IB graduates will require a minimum score of 24 or higher (this may vary depending on the level of mathematics undertaken). Applicants must also provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements. View further information on satisfying UWA’s entry requirements for IB graduates.
  • Applicants sitting Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) or International Baccalaureate in Western Australia can apply for an Early Offer and be admitted based on predicted ATAR or IB score. Predicted ATARs are determined by the Admissions office based on Year 11 or Year 12 results. Applicants are still required to achieve WACE and complete four ATAR subjects as well as provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees based on previous higher education studies, applicants must have completed one full-time semester or the equivalent of studies at an Australian university and at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 7 or higher; and have achieved a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 (7) or above. Applicants must also provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements. Applicants who have completed one full-time year or the equivalent of studies at the AQF Level 7 or higher, within the previous two years of application, and achieved a GPA of 4.0 (7) or above are not required to provide separate evidence of ELC to be eligible.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

  • To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees based on previous VET studies, applicants must have completed an AQF Level 5 qualification or above. Applicants who have completed a Level 5 or a Level 6 AQF qualification with a full-time duration of 12 months or more and completed within two years prior to commencement at the University are not required to provide separate evidence of ELC. All other applicants must provide evidence of satisfying UWA's ELC requirements.
  • Applicants who have completed VET studies outside of Australia must have completed the equivalent of an AQF Level 5 qualification; separate evidence of ELC is also required. UWA will determine the equivalence to an Australian Level 5 qualification using the Australian Government’s Department of Education and Training Country Education Profiles.

Applicants with work and life experience

  • Applicants over the age of 20 before 1 March (1 August for semester two entry) in the year they wish to commence university can complete the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Applicants require a selection rank to meet entry as per the STAT Calculator on TISC.
  • Applicants who have completed a Foundation or Preparatory program at an Australian Group of Eight university may be eligible to UWA’s undergraduate degrees.

English competency

Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 (must include Academic Reading and Writing modules).

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years) Australian Year 12 students

  • To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees based on previous or current Australian Year 12 studies, applicants must have completed the relevant state Certificate of Education and achieved an Australian Tertiary Aggregate Rank (ATAR) of 75 or above. Applicants must also provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements.
  • Applicants completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) are required to successfully complete the diploma program. To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees, IB graduates will require a minimum score of 24 or higher (this may vary depending on the level of mathematics undertaken). Applicants must also provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements. View further information on satisfying UWA’s entry requirements for IB graduates.
  • Applicants sitting Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) or International Baccalaureate in Western Australia can apply for an Early Offer and be admitted based on predicted ATAR or IB score. Predicted ATARs are determined by the Admissions office based on Year 11 or Year 12 results. Applicants are still required to achieve WACE and complete four ATAR subjects as well as provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees based on previous higher education studies, applicants must have completed one full-time semester or the equivalent of studies at an Australian university and at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 7 or higher; and have achieved a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 (7) or above. Applicants must also provide evidence of satisfying UWA’s ELC requirements. Applicants who have completed one full-time year or the equivalent of studies at the AQF Level 7 or higher, within the previous two years of application, and achieved a GPA of 4.0 (7) or above are not required to provide separate evidence of ELC to be eligible.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

  • To be eligible for UWA’s undergraduate degrees based on previous VET studies, applicants must have completed an AQF Level 5 qualification or above. Applicants who have completed a Level 5 or a Level 6 AQF qualification with a full-time duration of 12 months or more and completed within two years prior to commencement at the University are not required to provide separate evidence of ELC. All other applicants must provide evidence of satisfying UWA's ELC requirements.
  • Applicants who have completed VET studies outside of Australia must have completed the equivalent of an AQF Level 5 qualification; separate evidence of ELC is also required. UWA will determine the equivalence to an Australian Level 5 qualification using the Australian Government’s Department of Education and Training Country Education Profiles.

Applicants with work and life experience

  • Applicants over the age of 20 before 1 March (1 August for semester two entry) in the year they wish to commence university can complete the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Applicants require a selection rank to meet entry as per the STAT Calculator on TISC.
  • Applicants who have completed a Foundation or Preparatory program at an Australian Group of Eight university may be eligible to UWA’s undergraduate degrees.
Additional requirements may apply.

Course fees

Estimated Fee* $27,401 - $107,700 Fees are based on full-time study.
* Fees are indicative only and vary based on your circumstances and eligibility for government funding.
Standard Tuition:
$27,401
Full Fee Tuition:
$107,700
Enquire with The University of Western Australia to find out more.
Study mode On Campus
Duration 3 Years
Estimated fee* $27,401 - $107,700 Support may be available

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) will prepare you for the following roles.

About The University of Western Australia

Just 10 minutes from Perth city, UWA is located on the banks of the Swan River, or Derbal Yerrigan, on the land of the Whadjuk Nation.

We have the immense privilege of sitting on the sacred soil where Western Australian kaartdijin, or knowledge, began. It has been a place to gather and learn for tens of thousands of years, with stories and lessons shared from generation to generation of the world’s oldest continuous culture.

Today, we welcome you to continue seeking and sharing wisdom with us. Our students take their learning beyond the books, at the cutting edge of knowledge creation, from passionate lecturers with real industry experience and connections. We’ll support them in their learning journeys and help set them up for a career they’ll love.

The global impact of our research and education places us as a world top 100 university (QS 2024). This means students join a community of passionate, intelligent and resourceful leaders who are driving innovation and change. They’ll connect with and work alongside leaders in education, research and industry, and follow in the footsteps of our thousands of graduate success stories.