English Language and Linguistics BA Honours

Course summary

On this course, you'll study one of the key aspects of being human – our ability to use language.

You'll examine how languages differ and what elements they share, as well as developing your knowledge of the historical and cultural aspects of the English language in particular.

The course provides a rare opportunity to combine in-depth formal linguistic study with a consideration of the ways in which the English language is used and how it reflects its social context. As a result, the course nurtures research and analytical skills at the same time as enhancing your own abilities with the English language.

You'll develop your knowledge and understanding of how the English language works in terms of its structure, how it has changed over time and how it's employed in different spoken and written contexts. Your knowledge of English will be informed and contextualised by your wider study of language as a human faculty. You'll examine what languages have in common and how they vary in terms of their grammatical structures and their sound systems.

The course appeals to students interested in the nature of the English language and its variants, as well as students interested in language in general and the fundamental role it plays in our understanding of the world around us. It includes practical and theoretical modules that are invaluable for students interested in teaching English, speech therapy, editing, journalism, or advertising, but also helps to prepare you for any career that requires an advanced and sophisticated use of language.

The degree is particularly strong in improving the kind of transferable communicative and cognitive skills that employers need, and will prepare you for life-long personal and professional development.

Top reasons to study this course

• Academic expertise – the teaching staff on this course are industry experts, with experience in topics ranging from creoles and pidgins, to sociolinguistics, language and gender
• A holistic approach – study the underlying structure of language and how it's used, all in one course
• Study in a true polyglot city – with over 250 languages spoken, London is one of the world's most linguistically diverse cities
• An international experience – you'll have the option to spend one or two semesters at a partner institution in Europe, the USA, Canada, or Australia
• Get experience before graduating – you’ll have the option to do a work placement as part of this course
• Personal support throughout your degree – our small group tutorials are designed to support you, your studies and your career goals

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

Our graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers, possessing highly sought-after communication and research skills. This is not a narrowly focused vocational degree, but one that prepares students for any career that values advanced communication skills, research skills and employees that can demonstrate initiative and creativity in problem-solving.

This course prepares you for roles and areas such as:

• Speech therapy
• Language teaching
• Project management
• Web content management
• Digital copywriter

Other graduates progress to further study and academic research.

Graduate employers

Our graduates have gone on to organisations, including:

• BBC
• Civil Service
• MI5
• NHS
• PR company Spreckley PR