What school subjects are useful before studying linguistics?
Useful preparation for linguistics can include English or another language, mathematics or statistics, computer science, psychology, philosophy, and social sciences. English supports analysis of language structure and writing; maths and computing help with formal analysis and language technology; psychology and social sciences provide context for how language works in the mind and society.
Key points
- Studying a foreign language can give you insight into grammar, sound systems, and differences between languages.
- Strong reading, writing, logical reasoning, and data-analysis skills are valuable regardless of your subject choices.
- You do not need to have studied every area, and interest in language is more important than a particular combination of subjects.
Things to check
- Subject expectations vary by university, country, and course, so check the official entry requirements for the programme you are considering.