English Language (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

Unlock the power of words through the investigation and analysis of the fundamental structures and theoretical principles of the English language and linguistics.

During this course, you will study the structures and theoretical principles of English and language in general, and use them to understand and analyse spoken and written English discourse in context. This may include investigating sounds, word meanings, sentence structures, discourse analytical principles, child language acquisition, and language variation and change. You will be offered a variety of assessment types, including standard essays, presentations, data collection projects, exercises, transcriptions, dissertations and even blogs. This will equip you with the academic experiences you need to make the most of employment opportunities following your undergraduate degree and/or postgraduate study.

Why study this course with us?

Established first as a Combined Honours course in 2009, English Language at Chester celebrates 10 years as a Single Honours course in 2020-21.

The course has been repeatedly praised by external examiners, who have noted the unusually broad range of expertise provided by the teaching team, which covers some of the most cutting-edge subjects in English language and linguistics, such as Corpus Linguistics (computer-assisted discourse analysis) and Cognitive Stylistics (how readers' minds process literary and non-literary discourse). Staff also have considerable expertise in the areas of sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, child language acquisition, models of grammar, critical discourse analysis, dialectology and comparative linguistics.

NSS 2019 results have placed the English Language course high above the sector average in terms of lecturers' ability to explain things (100%), opportunities to explore concepts in depth (97%), and advice and guidance offered by staff (96%). Students comment positively upon how approachable the teaching staff are (100%), and how they feel that staff value students’ opinions (96%).

As part of a Combined Honours course, the English Language can be combined very fruitfully with numerous other subjects across the University, including education, psychology, journalism, modern languages, politics, religious studies, and many more.

Typical Entry

     

72 UCAS points

UCAS points

GCE A Level

       

72 UCAS points from GCE A Levels

Other vocational qualifications at Level 3 will also be considered, such as NVQs.

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then we can consider you and our Foundation Year will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

BTEC

     

BTEC Extended Diploma MMP

BTEC Diploma MM

Irish/Scottish Highers

    

Irish Higher - H4, H4, H4, H4

Scottish Highers - CCCC

International Baccalaureate

       

24 points

Access requirements

     

Access Diploma - Pass overall

IELTS

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

Graduates in English Language typically secure employment in professions such as teaching, publishing, the media and communications, speech therapy, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), advertising, public relations, journalism, librarianship, management and administration, and personnel work. The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences through the curriculum, employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance. It is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to personal goals and aspirations, to enable students to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which they will live and work. Students and graduates of the University of Chester can use our services free of charge for up to two years after graduating.