English Language and Linguistics BA(Hons)

Year 1

In your first year, you will develop an understanding of the basic concepts and modes of linguistic analysis focusing particularly on the four structural approaches to linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax. In addition, you will also gain an insight into the processes by which children acquire and develop their first language.

Modules

• Language in the Social World

  This module introduces issues around language and society. You will develop an understanding of language as a social phenomenon, including the interplay of individual linguistic choices and social structures. You'll also expand your abilities to synthesise materials, think critically and communicate effectively about the relationship of language and society.

• Approaches to Language and Communication

  This module introduces human and animal communication systems and the frameworks which describe and explain them. You'll examine the relationship between language and communication and explore notions from key-thinkers to discuss philosophical, sociological and cognitive views of linguistic communication.

• Understanding Language

  This module introduces the study of language (linguistics) and its main branches of phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. It will enable you to carry out analysis of real language data using different linguistic frameworks. You'll be encouraged to be more critical of your own language ability and to develop and hone communication skills whilst also developing your written work.

• Introduction to Intercultural Communication

  This module explores intercultural communication in a technologically connected world. Through examining communication in national and individual-level communities and groups, you'll investigate how different narratives and positions emerge. You will explore the challenges and opportunities of intercultural communication in a complex, interconnected and inequitable world shaped by technology and other global forces.

• Investigating Language

  This module provides a solid foundation in research methodologies and methods. It will develop your abilities in reading, processing and critically assessing analytical research. It will also build your skills in investigating language and linguistic patterns.

• Understanding Culture

  This module introduces the relationship of language and culture through the discipline of linguistic anthropology. You'll build skills in key areas such as linguistic determinism and relativism, the ethnography of communication and communicative competence. Through this intellectual framing (a concept introduced in the module), you will be able to make connections about your own cultural experience of language use.

Our courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis in order to make sure that what you learn with us is relevant and that your course enables you to develop appropriate skills. When you apply to study with us, we will inform you of any new developments in your chosen programme through Student View.

Your first year also provides you with an essential introduction to the study of English language at degree level. The core English language modules will enable you to develop the meta-language to describe language features and their use in different genres. You will also explore the historical perspective of the development of the English language.

Year 2

In year 2, linguistics modules will introduce you to the study of meaning and different approaches to describing and analysing grammatical structures. The second year also provides an essential grounding in understanding language in society and how it varies according to both context and the user. The focus of several year two modules is also on enabling independent study and research in preparation for the skills required for your year 3 dissertation or creative project.

You can also choose option modules from across our humanities and arts subjects.   At the end of your second year you will have the opportunity to study abroad for a year extending your degree to four years.

Modules

• Language Minoritisation and Revitalisation
• Researching English Language Use
• Linguistics and Grammar: Concepts and analyses
• Multilingualism

Options*

• Creative Writing
• Studying Travel Writing
• Queer Writing
• Literature in Practice
• Literature and Art History
• American Literature 1850–1960
• Sign Language Linguistics
• Mind and Language
• Semantics
• Image and Text: The Language of Comics and Graphic Novels
• Deconstruction: Language, Theory, Society
• Media in Practice
• Introduction to Journalism
• Documentary Filmmaking: Theory and Practice
• Writing for Stage, Radio and Screen
• Cinema and Society
• Power and Persuasion
• Narratives, Conflict and Power

You can also choose option modules from across our humanities and arts subjects. 

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

In your final year, you will examine the content and explanatory potential of a number of theoretical frameworks that have been proposed to explain language use in context.

Building on the knowledge developed over the first and second year, you will study different approaches to analysing how different types of discourse are constructed. Finally, you will write a dissertation on a topic of your choice in which you can explore and investigate particular aspects of language use. 

In your third year, you study two core modules, one in linguistics and one in English language; two options, and a dissertation.

Modules

• Dissertation

Options*

One from:

• Approaches to Analysing Discourse
• World Englishes

One from:

• Language, Philosophy, Mind
• Non-truth-conditional Semantics

Two from:

• Russian Literature and Culture
• (Re)Viewing Shakespeare
• Apocalypse, Utopia, Dystopia
• Literature and Philosophy
• Post-war American Literature
• Women’s Writing and Feminist Theory
• Adaptations
• Creative Writing Project
• Gothic: Texts and Contexts
• Victorian Sexualities
• Postcolonial Literatures
• Writing the Contemporary
• European Literatures
• Culture Wars: Revisiting the Great Divide
• Language, Culture and Ideology
• Language of Gender and Sexuality
• Language, Law and the State: The Politics of Force
• Analysing Big Data: Quantitative Methods in Language Research
• English Language Teaching
• Community Placement: Theory in Practice
• Citizen Journalism
• Television Broadcast Journalism  
• From Script to Screen
• Autobiography and the Screen
• Media Ethics and Conflict

You can also choose option modules from across our humanities and arts subjects.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placements 

In your second year you can choose the Literature in Practice or Media in Practice placement modules which will allow you to gain professional experience in a relevant workplace environment.

In year 3 you can choose the Community Placement – Theory in Practice placement module, again aimed at building on your work with professional experience. You'll do 30 to 50 hours of voluntary work with a not-for-profit or community organisation, and the placement is assessed and contributes to your degree.

Mia Kurian, graduate

“My placement was with Metropolitan City Church Brighton as their Social Media Manager. I learnt a lot about myself and my interests and the type of career I may want to pursue. I got to try my hand at website design, something I had never done before, and it was a great opportunity for me to expand my creativity. Professionally, I gained a lot of experience that has been extremely useful in my career today. I learnt about creating brand cohesion and creating a brand image from scratch, something I’ve never done before.

"I absolutely loved it. It was an incredible learning experience as well as insightful. It allowed me to learn a lot about myself and the future I want. My placement manager was lovely and supportive and allowed me the freedom to explore my creativity.”

Staff profile 

Dr Tim Wharton, course leader

Tim, linguistics lecturer and course leader of the English Language and Linguistics BA, also leads our linguistics research. 

Most people share the intuition that what a speaker says may fall short of what they mean, or that by saying one thing a speaker might mean something else entirely. But have you ever stopped to wonder how hearers bridge the gap between what speakers say and what they mean? Are we, in a sense, mind-readers? My work begins with the assumption that we are.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

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