BA Linguistics at Harvard University

Programme overview

Linguists are engaged in the study of language structure, which is the ultimate interdisciplinary enterprise. Linguistic theory attempts to model a complex domain of human knowledge that is also central to philosophy of mind and to cognitive psychology. The linguistic models that theoretical linguists construct are formal in character and rely on computational and mathematical methodologies.

Faculty: Harvard College: Arts and Humanities | Department: Linguistics | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

What you will study

An undergraduate degree in linguistics will give you insight into one of the most fascinating aspects of human knowledge and behavior. As a linguistics major, you will learn about many aspects of human language, including sounds (phonetics, phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax), and meanings (semantics). Gateway courses include For a broad introduction of Linguistics: Ling 83: Language, Structure, and Cognition Ling 101: The Science of Language Ling 107: Introduction to Indo-European (for those interested in historical linguistics) Any freshman seminar in Linguistics Highly.

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Application information

USD 62,226 a year (2026-27). Harvard College undergraduate tuition for 2026-27, one rate for all students; excludes fees ($6,216), housing, food and health insurance. Source

Entry term is fall. Applicants choose Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision; admitted students reply by May 1.

First-year applications through the Common Application: Restrictive Early Action closes November 1 with notification by mid-December; Regular Decision closes January 1 with notification by the end of March. The application fee is $95 (fee waiver available) and can be paid online via the Common Application. Harvard requires the SAT or ACT, with exceptions only where the tests are not accessible.

Apply through the official page: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply

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