BA (Honours) English Language
UCAS code
Q310Attendance
Full-time
Three years full-timeAt a glance
Learn about English language from an established team of researchers and academics who guide you through debates on how language is organised and how it works in practice. Language underpins all our relationships, in the real and virtual worlds: this course gives you an opportunity to study language and describe, investigate and analyse it.
Key points
Learn how to use and analyse the English language in a range of contexts.
Improve your career prospects with a placement in a relevant setting.
Select modules that reflect your career aims and interests.
Take the option to graduate with a TESOL certificate to teach English overseas.
About this course
Study English language and its practical application on this well-established course. Led by a team of specialists you learn how language is organised and how it works in practice. You learn how language underpins all our relationships in the real and virtual worlds and gain the advanced skills required to use and analyse it with expertise.
In your first year you study different approaches to language and communication, giving you the skills to describe language at all levels. You also consider language in its social and historical contexts, and the effect of choices in language use.
A key feature of your second year is a work-based project. We work with you to find a placement in a working environment related to your career aspirations. This is a great opportunity to enhance your career prospects in a related area that inspires you. For example, you may wish to work with children with language impairments, on editing and copywriting projects or on studies of bilingual language acquisition.
As well as learning advanced transferable skills such as data collection and transcription methods, presenting and leading peer groups, you also explore academic topics such as the ethical dimensions of research.
Your research practice comes to fruition in your final year in an independent dissertation. You base your research on a language topic of your choice and work individually with a specialist supervisor.
This course develops a range of skills employers recognise as transferable in various careers. These include advanced literacy, communication and planning skills.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) option
This course gives you the opportunity to study Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This can lead to gaining the Trinity College Certificate in TESOL, a recognised teaching qualification which enables you to teach English abroad after graduating. Completing the certificate requires an additional fee payment.
Key areas of study
Key areas include the nature of the English language, its syntax, semantics and sound system how spoken and written discourses are organised how we use language to communicate and interact how language varies according to context how we connect language to identity.
Associated careers
Career routes open to you as a graduate of this course include teaching teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) journalism public relations, marketing and copywriting advertising speech therapy library, archive and information services civil service publishing human resources.
The work placement that you complete in your second year helps you to decide on the career path you would like to follow after graduating and allows you to specialise in language areas relevant to that path.
Course content
Year one modules
studying English language describing language social interaction language and communication history and development of English creative language awareness
Year two core modules
language and discourse analysis work-based project
Year two options
Four or five from language and social life language, identity and power sociolinguistics communication at work foundation studies in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) exploring second language learning language and literature creative writing foreign language
Year three core module
dissertation
Year three options
Five from understanding meaning language and music language and psychology language and gender politeness language and education multicultural Britain language and the internet TESOL classroom teaching and reflection work-based project literary editing foreign language experimental writing writing and the environment
Assessment
linguistic analysis collection and analysis of linguistic data textual commentary reports essay writing production of a workbook examinations poster presentations
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
GCSE English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
300 points from at least two GCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including at least 100 points from A2 in English literature or English language or English language and literature combined. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.
Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS average score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in all skills.
We also consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience will also be considered via an interview. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these will also be considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
2013 entry requirements
GCSE English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
300 points from at least two GCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including at least 100 points from A2 in English literature or English language or English language and literature combined. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body is included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk