BA (Hons) English Language

Uncovering the secrets of the English language is a rich and rewarding experience. From how the English Language functions and sounds, right through to how we can apply language study to a real-world context, our English Language degree allows you to delve deep into this fascinating subject.

We currently stand as one of the country’s largest Linguistics and English Language departments, meaning that we have a wide range of optional modules available to you throughout your degree programme. Each and every area of language is covered by one of our world-leading academics, and our students benefit from their expertise in lectures, seminars, tutorials, and supervisions. They will teach you from day one in small classes designed to challenge you as a linguist.

You will begin your academic career with us on the core English Language module. How do you describe the English Language in terms of its grammatical and sound systems? How does it function in different contexts? How does language interact with society? As well as exploring these questions, you will explore newer and emerging fields such as conversation analysis, corporate communication, and corpus linguistics. Our Part I system allows you to select two other modules in your first year, giving you increased choice and flexibility. This might be linguistics, but it might also be a course offered by another department from across the university. This flexible system means you don’t have to fully commit to a three-year degree scheme quite yet, and you have the opportunity to review your choices throughout your degree.

In your second year, you’ll move onto core subjects, delving into the grammar and sound system of the English language. As for optional modules, we offer courses on Discourse Analysis, Language and Pedagogic Practice and Child Language Acquisition. As a third-year undergraduate, along with core courses in Advanced Phonetics and Corpus-based English Language Studies, we also offer optional courses in Forensic Linguistics, Language Change in English and Beyond, and others. You’ll also write your dissertation, exploring a topic that you’re particularly interested in, and this is overseen by a member of staff from our department who specialises in your particular area. Given the size of the department, our academics will be able to supervise pretty much any topic and fit your interests.

An English Language degree is well-suited for careers in education, publishing, the media and information technology. It is highly valued in fields involving international communication, such as science, trade and international relations. Past graduates have become speech therapists, computing consultants, chartered accountants, HR professionals, and social workers. We offer an English Language degree which teaches you the skills of data analysis, academic writing, and argumentation, and we are confident that our teaching, combined with your willingness to learn, will put you in the best position to move forward in your career.

Careers

An English Language degree is suitable for careers at all levels in education as well as language related fields such as publishing, the media and information technology. It is also valuable in fields where international communication is important, like science, trade and international relations.

Recent graduates have gone onto work or train as teachers, speech therapists, computer programmers and consultants, bankers, chartered accountants, personnel managers, journalists and social workers. Our English Language in the Media degree is an ideal preparation for a career in the media, while studying abroad is a great way to make your CV stand out. A sizeable proportion of our graduates take up employment overseas.