English Language (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)

About the course

This course offers you the opportunity to combine high-level study of the English language with a carefully chosen range of related subjects, both academic and vocational.

Reasons to study English Language at DMU

• Study language in breadth and depth: a wide range of highly specialised courses

• Learn what the great communicators do, and how you can do it too

• Put your theoretical knowledge into practice with our final-year placement module

• Open your mind to language – let language open doors for you

The English Language degree at DMU rests on a series of questions: What is English? Where has it come from, and where is it going? Who owns this truly global language? How is it used, by whom, and for what reasons? How can we use it more fluently, more effectively and more persuasively?

The English language is our country's greatest asset and our biggest export. From its beginnings as an insignificant tongue spoken on the fringes of Europe, it has gone on to become the first world language. It can move, amuse, inspire, impress and oppress. It has been, and continues to be, a means by which people judge each other. It can be a tool, a caress or a weapon. This degree will make you aware of the full resources of this language, and help you learn to use them to the full, in whatever environment you may find yourself and whoever you may be speaking with.

You will be taught by a diverse and highly talented range of teaching staff, drawn from throughout Humanities to give you the broadest possible exposure to the subject.

In your first year alone, you will study subjects as diverse as Forensic Linguistics (how knowledge of language can solve crimes), non-verbal language and the 'cold reading' skills employed by fake psychics, as well as the more traditional elements of language study.

Later years offer a module in Teaching English, and a final year work placement module (making your CV stand out), and the opportunity to study material such as propaganda and interrogation, style, psycholinguistics and psychotherapy. The language you speak shapes the world you see; this degree helps you understand both better.

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Key facts

UCAS course code:
English Language and Creative Writing: QW38
English Language and Education Studies: QX3H
English Language and English (Literature): Q390
English Language and Journalism: QP35
English Language and Media: QP33

Duration: Three years full-time/six years part-time

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

2013

• Normally 260 points with a minimum of 160 points from 2 full A levels
• National Diploma DMM
• Five GCSEs at grade A*–C including English Language or Literature at grade C or above. We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English at grade C or above
• International Baccalaureate: 28+ Points

Interview required: No

Additional course specific requirements

English Language and English BA (Hons)

• 260 points with a minimum of 160 points from 2 full A levels and including grade C in English
• National Diploma DMM plus grade C or above in A level English (Language or Literature)
• Five GCSEs at grade A*–C including English Language or Literature at grade C or above. We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English at grade C or above
• International Baccalaureate: 28+ Points

Education Studies and English Language BA (Hons)

• Evidence of work experience in an ‘Early Years’ setting.

English Language and Journalism BA (Hons)

• We would expect to see an interest in journalism and current affairs.

International Students

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition| is available at DMU both before and during the course if required.

Teaching and assessment

English Language teaching is designed to develop your skills of analysis and communication, and to encourage you to participate in classroom discussion and debate; frequent use will be made of audio visual material and IT-based teaching and learning. You will be assessed in a wide range of ways, including essays, group projects, individual and/or group presentations or class tests, developing a wide range of practical skills.

The normal class structure is a two-hour workshop, which will combine theoretical knowledge with practical work and discussions. You will also have private tutorials and must undertake independent study.

Course modules

Year one

• Adventures in Language: an Introduction to Grammar and Linguistics
• Evolving Language: an Introduction to the Histories of Languages

Year two

• Sociolinguistics
• Varieties of Language: Stylistics
• Teaching English Language

Year three

• English Language Dissertation
• English Language in the Workplace (Placement Module)
• Psycholinguistics
• Language, Power and Identity

Academic expertise

This course is taught by staff with a wide range of knowledge and experience, in English Literature and Linguistics (theoretical and historical), Modern Foreign Languages, English as a Foreign Language, History, International Relations and American Studies; studying language requires both breadth and depth of knowledge, and we are equipped to provide both. Members of the team are engaged in a wide range of research projects, which feeds directly into our teaching, and this year we will have staff presenting research papers atinternational conferences in Madrid, Munich and Toronto.

Joint degree options

• Education Studies Joint Honours
• Creative Writing (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)
• English (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)
• Journalism (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)
• Media (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)

Graduate careers

Our graduates possess high-level linguistic, reasoning and analytical skills, making them highly marketable. We explicitly develop skills of information analysis and presentation in our students, with the aim of producing extremely articulate, adaptable, professional communicators who can operate with ease in any setting and with any group of people.

We could reasonably expect our students to gain employment in any profession where the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively is at a premium: the media, publishing, advertising, marketing, public relations, teaching and the Civil Service Fast Stream – language skills open many doors.

Fees and funding

2013 entry

UK/EU Fees: £9000
International Fees: TBC

Learn more about fees and funding information 2013|

Scholarships

Learn more about our Undergraduate scholarships and awards| information.