A*AA, or 41–42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level
The minimum offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge's listed requirements are for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Undergraduate · Cambridge Linguistics
Cambridge Linguistics: studying language as an academic science
Cambridge's Linguistics course is not a language-learning degree. Cambridge describes it as the systematic study of human language, drawing on philosophy, physics and engineering and psychology, with practical exams in phonetics and computational linguistics. It asks for A*AA or the IB equivalent, names no required subjects, sets an assessment at some Colleges and asks for written work at two named Colleges. The question for an applicant is whether that scientific approach to language is what they want. Everything cycle-specific here is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry; nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in Linguistics
Taken from Cambridge's Linguistics course page and its written-work and interviews pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
No specific subjects; an essay-based subject recommended
Cambridge does not ask for specific subjects to apply to Linguistics and recommends an essay-based subject for a strong application.
An assessment at some Colleges
There is an admissions assessment at some Colleges for this course, and you do not need to register in advance. Check Cambridge's College admission assessments page.
Written work at two named Colleges
St Edmund's requires one piece of written work and Downing requires two. Other Colleges will not necessarily ask for written work, so check the Colleges you are considering.
Practical exams and a dissertation
Assessment is by written examinations, practical exams in phonetics and computational linguistics, and a dissertation of 8,000 to 10,000 words in the final year.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: Linguistics, BA (Hons) (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Written work and portfoliosundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's Linguistics course page and its written-work and interviews pages, which describes 2027 entry. Individual Colleges' assessments, written-work instructions and deadlines, the College-by-College interview formats, the Department's own pages and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
Language treated as something to measure, model and explain
Cambridge says Linguistics explores properties all languages share and which offer insight into the human mind. In a single course you might study a medieval text for evidence of grammatical change, how the larynx produces sound for speech, or how brain responses to language are recorded. The first year gives a foundation across the subfields: Sounds and Words, an introduction to phonetics, phonology and morphology; Structures and Meanings, covering sentence construction, semantics and pragmatics; Language, Brains and Machines; and Linguistic Variation and Change. From the second year you choose four papers from a wide range, such as phonetics, syntax, historical linguistics, language acquisition and computational linguistics. The third year has Linguistic Theory, two further papers and a dissertation.
Is it for you?
Studying languages, studying a language, or studying language itself?
These three aims lead to different degrees, and Cambridge's page is clear about which one this is.
Choose Linguistics if
you are fascinated by how language works as a system: its sounds, structures, meanings, acquisition and change, and you are comfortable with practical and formal analysis.
Look at a modern languages degree instead if
your goal is to reach fluency and study literature and culture in specific languages. Oxford Modern Languages has its own guide, and Cambridge's modern-languages courses are separate programmes with their own rules.
History and Modern Languages is different again
That joint degree sets its own requirements. This series has a guide to it.
Reading the offer
A*AA, with no required subject
The offer is A*AA, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge asks for no specific subjects and recommends an essay-based subject. It reports that every past entrant had studied at least one of the recommended subjects, and says common combinations do not mean those combinations are favoured. A student with languages, science or mathematics can all make a case, as long as they can show analytical thinking about language.
Assessment and written work
It depends on your Colleges
There is an admissions assessment at some Colleges, which you do not need to register for in advance. Written work is required by two named Colleges: one piece at St Edmund's and two pieces at Downing. Because requirements differ by College, the most useful early step is to choose your shortlist and read each College's instructions. Cambridge's general guidance for submitted work is that it should be marked by your teacher with comments and be something you can discuss. Interviews are academic conversations, and you may be asked to apply your knowledge to new materials or problems, which suits a subject where analysing unfamiliar data is routine.
A note on preparation
What Cambridge says about commercial interview services
Cambridge says some companies offer interview preparation for a fee, that these services are not endorsed by the University and have no exclusive information, and that all official guidance is free on its website. Avandy's support is independent and limited to helping a student understand the subject and plan reading and analysis practice.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Can you find a pattern in a language you do not know?
Take a short list of translated phrases from an unfamiliar language and work out a rule. If that is fun, the foundation papers will be too.
Are you comfortable with sound, structure and data?
The course includes practical exams in phonetics and computational linguistics. Try a short introduction to phonetics and see whether it appeals.
Do you want a dissertation of your own?
The final year includes individual research. Think about a question about language you would like to answer.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Grades, the absence of required subjects, the possible College assessment and the written-work arrangements: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
UCAS deadline, assessment arrangements, written-work deadlines, interview dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's Linguistics course page and its College assessments and interviews pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Choose a shortlist of Colleges and read their assessment and written-work instructions, then practise analysing unfamiliar language data.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here helps a student understand the subject, plan reading and analysis practice and choose any submitted work; it does not write, edit or rewrite any submitted piece, and Avandy has no access to exclusive Cambridge information. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Cambridge Linguistics entry requirements?
A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, with no specific subjects required. This is Cambridge's wording for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Do I need to speak several languages?
Cambridge asks for no specific subjects and recommends an essay-based subject. The course studies language as a system and is not a language-learning degree.
Is there an admissions test?
There is an admissions assessment at some Colleges, and you do not need to register in advance. Check Cambridge's College admission assessments page.
Which Colleges ask for written work?
In the cycle described, St Edmund's asked for one piece and Downing for two. Check the Colleges you are considering for the current position.
Is there a practical element?
Assessment includes practical exams in phonetics and computational linguistics, alongside written examinations and a dissertation.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge Linguistics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their languages, their sciences and any College assessment they might face, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.