English Language (including Year Abroad)

Description:
The Bachelor of Arts in English Language at the University of Essex offers students an in-depth exploration of the structure, use, and variation of the English language across different contexts and periods. This programme provides a unique opportunity to study the linguistic features of English, including phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, enabling students to understand how language functions in communication. Throughout the course, students examine the historical development of English, its diverse dialects, and contemporary issues such as language variation, change, and identity. The programme also emphasizes practical skills, including linguistic analysis, research methods, and critical thinking, which are highly valued in numerous career paths.
A distinctive aspect of this degree is the Year Abroad component, which allows students to spend a year studying at partner institutions overseas. This experience enhances language proficiency, intercultural understanding, and global employability by immersing students in different linguistic environments and cultures. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, with options to specialize in areas such as psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, or language and society, depending on students' interests. Teaching methods combine lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent research, supported by access to modern facilities and extensive digital resources.
Graduates of the English Language programme are well-equipped to pursue careers in teaching, editing, publishing, journalism, linguistics research, language consultancy, and other fields that require advanced language skills and analytical expertise. The University of Essex’s vibrant academic community fosters an inspiring learning environment, encouraging critical engagement and hands-on experience. Whether aiming for further academic study or entering the workforce, students will benefit from a comprehensive education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing them for successful careers worldwide.

Detailed Course Facts

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

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
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 offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
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 Sociolinguistics;
Foundations of Psycholinguistics;
Foundations of Linguistics; and
one linguistics, language or social science option

Year 2

Three English language options; and
one linguistics, language, social science or project option

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

Three English language options; and
one linguistics, language, social science or project option

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.

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.

The Bachelor of Arts in English Language (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers students an in-depth exploration of the English language, its structure, development, and influence. This programme is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of linguistic theories, language variation, and the historical evolution of English, along with practical skills in analysis, research, and communication. One of the key features is the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad, typically in an English-speaking country, which enhances intercultural competence and provides invaluable real-world language immersion. The Year Abroad module allows students to experience different linguistic and cultural contexts, broadening their perspective and language skills, and preparing them for careers in academia, education, publishing, media, or international business.

The curriculum includes core courses such as phonetics, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and language acquisition, alongside optional modules in areas like discourse analysis, language and identity, and computational linguistics. Students develop their analytical abilities through coursework, research projects, and presentations, while also improving their written and spoken communication skills. The university provides excellent resources, including specialized laboratories, a comprehensive library, and access to modern linguistic software.

The programme is taught by experienced academics who are active researchers in their fields, ensuring students receive current, relevant knowledge. Assessment methods typically include essays, exams, presentations, and a final dissertation or research project. Graduates of this programme are well-equipped for diverse career paths, including language teaching, translation, editing, speech therapy, and further research or postgraduate study. The university’s supportive academic environment encourages independent thinking, critical analysis, and intellectual development, making it an ideal place for students passionate about the English language and linguistics. The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing students for the globalized world where language skills are increasingly vital.