English Language and Literature

Description

Our BA English Language and Literature provides a sound foundation in linguistic and sociolinguistic aspects of the structure and use of modern English, and offers you the chance to study a range of literary genres and approaches to literary criticism.

Our BA English Language and Literature aims to give you insights into questions like: what kind of techniques can we use to research how English varies according to our age, sex, social and geographical background, and ethnic origins? How has social and geographical mobility in contemporary society given rise to the formation of new accents and dialects of English? How do we use English in everyday conversation, and how is it used in the media? How has English literature changed between the time of Shakespeare and today? What are the differences between literature written in the UK and literature written in other English-speaking countries? What kind of language do we use in order to understand and analyse literary texts?

In each of your three years at Essex, your time is split equally between studying English and studying literature. In English language, your first year is a foundation year which introduces you to linguistic techniques used to study language and language variation; in your second and final year, you are able to choose between a wide range of English language options. In literature, your first year provides a broad introduction to the study of the subject; in your second year you take period courses in early modern and modern literature; and in your final year you choose from a wide range of options. You even have the opportunity of spending an additional year abroad (eg in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the USA) as part of your course, if you so wish, providing you with the opportunity of experiencing and integrating into a different academic system, a different culture and a different society.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our course are flexibility and choice. In your first year all your modules are compulsory. During your second you take two compulsory modules and two optional modules, one English Language module and one linguistics module. In your final year all your modules are optional, but you take one English Language, one linguistics and two literature modules. There is a great deal of choice for these optional modules due to the extensive range of modules offered by our departments.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Foundations of Linguistics;
Foundations of Sociolinguistics or Foundations of Psycholinguistics or Foundations of Teaching English as a Foreign Language;
Introduction to Literature;
Close Reading (half module); and
Introduction to US Literature (half module) or Introduction to European Literature (half module) or Writing Skills (half module)

Year 2

One English language option;
one linguistics option;
Early Modern Literature; and
Versions of Modernity

Year 3

One English language option;
one linguistics option; and
two literature options

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• Flexible study schedule
• Experienced teachers
• Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.