Are you interested both in Linguistics and in Modern Languages? Are you keen to explore written and oral texts, film, cultures and media, while also asking questions about the structure of languages, its evolution and its interfaces with clinical, computer and other sciences? The joint degree in Linguistics and Modern Languages is a new opportunity to integrate the most appealing elements from both courses. This is a four-year degree where you will combine Linguistics with the study of one language, and also study in a Year Abroad.

You can choose to study French and Linguistics (if you are taking French at A level or IB Higher level or equivalent), or you can choose one of the following languages combined with Linguistics, regardless of whether you are already studying the language: German and Linguistics, Italian and Linguistics, Portuguese and Linguistics, Russian and Linguistics, Spanish and Linguistics. To make it clear, students with no foreign language at A-Level or equivalent are very welcome to apply for one of the combinations of their chosen language from scratch combined with Linguistics. The Linguistics elements of the course will not be restricted to the language you choose to study, but options to work in depth on, for example, the history of the studied language are likely to be available.

No matter what your proficiency when you arrive, you leave with a high level of competence in your chosen language. In the third year, you will spend a Year Abroad in one or two countries to consolidate your learning of the language and deepen your understanding of its culture. Typically, at the Year Abroad, you will either attend courses at a university abroad, become an English-speaking assistant at a school, or complete an internship with a firm, but these are just suggestions and you will be encouraged to propose your own Year Abroad in consultation with an expert advisor at Trinity College.

In addition to your language, you will study the foundations of Linguistics science in your first year. In years two and four you will be able to select among a wide range those Linguistics courses that appeal to you the most, including the interface of linguistics with computer science, psychology, speech science, and more.

The LML course and Trinity

Studying LML in Trinity you benefit from teaching and support in both Linguistics and MML [inserting hyperlinks to both pages). Trinity offers a unique setting for the study of modern languages and cultures, enabling students to gain deep expertise in language, critical analysis, and intercultural communication. At Trinity you will discover a truly global community of students from a wide range of backgrounds and the teaching staff in Modern Languages and Linguistics mirrors this international dimension. We have one of the largest Modern Languages communities in the university.

Studying Modern Languages with us gives you access to unequalled resources to support study, inspire your intellectual aspirations, nurture your individual skills and develop your cultural interests within and beyond the curriculum. The college offers specialist in-house tuition and guidance, an outstanding library, generous language bursaries, college travel funds, and college exchanges with premier institutions abroad. It also employs college lectors in both French and German.

Trinity is one of a small number of Cambridge colleges with a dedicated Fellow in Linguistics, making it an ideal home if you wish to study LML.

The LML course and Trinity: transforming potential

The Linguistics and Modern Languages (LML) course (Tripos) lasts four years. Before you make up your mind about what you wish to study, you should know that Modern Languages can also be combined with History (HML), with AMES (Asian and Middle Eastern Languages) and with Classics (either Classical Latin or Classical Greek, including beginning Latin from scratch). There is also a separate all-Linguistics course. We are very happy to answer questions and to meet prospective candidates in Open Days to explain the great range of options available to them.