BA Linguistics at University of Washington

Programme overview

Linguistics is the study of language as a natural phenomenon. It focuses on grammar, the social context of language variation, the physics of speech sounds, and the properties of language evolution. As language is an exclusively and intrinsically human characteristic, research on the structure, acquisition, and use of language cuts to the heart of human cognition and the social world, linking linguistics to psychology, anthropology, information science, and many other disciplines.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Linguistics | Duration: 80 credits | Location: Seattle, WA, United States

What you will study

80 credits; LING 400 or other introductory course in linguistics; LING 450, LING 451, LING 461, LING 462; Minimum one additional 400-level LING course, excluding LING 400, LING 419, LING 430, LING 480, LING 490, and LING 499; At least one year of each of two languages, one of which must belong to a language family different than the student's native language, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in the third quarter of each language; 20 additional credits of departmentally approved courses in linguistics.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Completion of at least the third quarter, or equivalent, of a foreign language, with a minimum 2.0 grade Completion of either LING 200, LING 400, or an approved introductory linguistics course; at least one writing (W) course; and one additional quantitative and symbolic reasoning (QSR) course. Minimum 2.0 grade in each course and a cumulative 2.50 GPA in the three courses The department accepts students who meet the minimum requirements stated above, but recognizes that a 2.50 GPA or higher is indicative of the motivation and academic skills needed for a reasonable probability of success in the program.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,664 a year (2026-27). Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and fac Source

International applicants: USD 44,580 a year (2026-27). Non-Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and Source

First-year entry quarters: Autumn (begins late September), Winter (begins early January; not open to international first-year applicants), Summer (begins mid-June; most degree-seeking students apply for Autumn). Spring quarter is not open to first-year applicants.

Transfer entry: Autumn and Summer quarters; Spring quarter transfer admission is open only to applicants to specific departments in engineering and computer science.

First-year applications for Autumn (and Summer) open August 15 and close November 15; notification March 1-15. Winter applications open August 1 and close September 1, with notification in November and December. The UW does not offer early decision or early action. Apply through the Common App.

First-year application fee is $85 for U.S. students (fee waivers available) and $95 for international students (no fee waivers). Application requires a Common App essay and a self-reported academic record in STARS. SAT/ACT scores are not required for most applicants; homeschooled applicants and applicants from schools without letter or numeric grades must submit SAT or ACT scores. International applicants submit TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting the minimum English proficiency requirement.

Transfer applications for Autumn and Summer open December 15 and close February 28; notification May 1 to June 30. Transfer application fee is $85 (U.S., fee waivers available) or $95 (international, no fee waivers). SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admit.washington.edu/apply/

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