Linguistics is the study of the capacity to use language. At UCL, students investigate the sound patterns (Phonetics and Phonology) and grammatical structures (Syntax) of the world's languages, and how we create and use meaningful expressions (Semantics and Pragmatics). Students on our programmes can explore a range of topics including language acquisition and processing, multilingualism, sociolinguistics, language evolution, and animal communication. The Linguistics BA and Experimental Linguistics BSc share many core elements on which to build your linguistic education. In the first year of the BA, your modules are all compulsory, providing a broad foundation in linguistics and helping you assess where your own interests and strengths lie. In addition to compulsory modules in core areas of semantics, pragmatics, phonetics, phonology and syntax, you will also take a module in language acquisition.In the second year, you take four intermediate modules covering the core areas of linguistics. You will also take four elective modules from a substantial pool offered by the department, though two of them can alternatively be taken outside the department.