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English Language BA(Hons)

  • Intro
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Fees
    and costs
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Intro

This course gives you the opportunity to explore English language from the perspectives of history, art, media and culture.

You will examine its power in spoken and written form, understand how it helps inform our identities and communities and how it is used to influence social change; to influence, mystify and even subvert.

Throughout your English Language degree course you will consider English as a regional and global language considering how it is used among different communities and cultures. You will explore how we acquire language and how we use it to communicate via different genres and styles.

You will develop a deep understanding of the fundamentals of the English language, its historical development and its role in constructing identities, social relations and practices.

Book your place: Moulsecoomb campus open day

See all of our upcoming events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code Q300

Full-time 3 years

Clearing 2023: Apply now

Places are still available on this course to start in 2023.

If you have your results you can apply online for a place through Clearing.

Apply online now

If you need advice, call us on 01273 644000

Our hotline opens

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBB–BCC (120–104 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DMM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

A-levels must include at least one of English literature, English language, English language and literature, sociology or psychology.

International Baccalaureate
26 points, with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Humanities, history or politics courses preferred. At least 45 credits at level 3.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Flexible admissions

When you apply to Brighton we want to hear about who you are. Grades are never the whole picture; we're interested in things like creativity, resourcefulness, persistence and the capacity to think big and find new ways of doing things. And we recognise that not everyone has the same background. That's why we treat everyone who applies as an individual. We recognise many qualifications and we care about all of your achievements and the experiences you've had that set you apart.

Find out more

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Course content

Year 1

In the first year, you will be introduced to the basic concepts and skills that will enable you to describe language and analyse texts. You will reflect critically on key debates around the English language (for example, prescriptivism vs. descriptivism) and develop metalinguistic skills in grammatical analysis, text analysis, phonology and stylistics.

You will also gain an understanding of the development of the English language from Anglo Saxon times to the present day. In addition, you will look at how children acquire their first language, how language is used in the media and how the sound system of English works.

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.

  • 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.

Year 2

In year 2, you will develop your understanding of the diversity of the English language and its uses. You will explore different regional varieties of English in the British Isles and the cultural and social influences that have determined their development.

A further aspect of English language in year 2 is the investigation of the impact of language on social identity and its role in power relations. You will also develop an understanding of the tools involved in researching language use, and you will study the characteristic differences between spoken and written forms of communication.

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

Core modules

  • Language Minoritisation and Revitalisation
  • Researching English Language Use
  • Mind and Language
  • Deconstruction: Language, Theory, Society

Options*

  • Creative Writing: Process and Craft
  • Studying Travel Writing
  • Queer Writing
  • Literature in Practice
  • American Literature 1850-1960
  • Linguistics and Grammar: Concepts and Analyses
  • Mind and Language
  • Multilingualism
  • Sign Language Linguistics
  • Image and Text: The Language of Comics and Graphic Novels
  • Writing for Stage, Radio and Screen
  • Media in Practice
  • Introduction to Journalism
  • Cinema and Society  
  • Documentary Filmmaking: Theory and Practice
  • 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.

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Placements 

In year 2 you can choose a placement module which will allow you to gain professional experience in industries such as publishing, broadcasting, social media marketing, PR and the charity sector. 

Recent placement hosts include:

  • Action Medical Research
  • Action Tutoring
  • Airstream Photo Booth
  • Brighton Dome and Festival
  • British Forces Broadcasting Services
  • Epoque Press
  • Factory Films
  • The Old Market Theatre
  • Little Green Pig
  • Men’s Health Magazine
  • Prsnt.

In year 3 you can choose the Community Placement module aimed at further building your professional experience. This is 30 to 50 hours of voluntary work with a not-for-profit or community organisation. 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.”

Final year

In the final year, you will consolidate your skills and knowledge through applying current analytic frameworks more critically to texts, understanding the theoretical viewpoints informing different approaches and evaluating the different kinds of insights generated. You will also explore the global spread of English and its development as a world language.

Years 2 and 3 will allow you to tailor your degree to your own interests or career ambitions and create a unique profile for yourself. The options are in the following areas: linguistics, English literature, media/film/photography, language teaching, creative writing and journalism.

Core modules

  • World Englishes
  • Approaches to Analysing Discourse
  • Dissertation

Options*

  • Community Placement: Theory in Practice
  • Russian Literature and Culture: The Golden Age and Beyond
  • Apocalypse, Utopia, Dystopia
  • Literature and Philosophy
  • Women’s Writing and Feminist Theory
  • Adaptations
  • Creative Writing Project
  • Gothic: Texts and Contexts
  • Victorian Sexualities
  • Writing the Contemporary
  • European Literatures and Film
  • Approaches to the Study of Meaning
  • Language, Culture and Ideology
  • Language of Gender and Sexuality
  • English Language Teaching
  • Public Journalism
  • Popular Culture – Europe and Beyond
  • From Script to Screen
  • Conversation Analysis
  • Language, Law and the State: The Politics of Force
  • Analysing Big Data: Quantitative Methods in Language Research

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.

Meet the team

Dr Federica Formato, course leader

Federica is interested in language in connection with gender and sexuality in Italian. She is published on violence against women in sentencing remarks in England and Wales (with Dr Amanda Potts) and on constructions of hegemonic and subordinate masculinities in YouTube comments (with Dr Mandie Iveson). Her first monograph Gender, Discourse and Ideology in Italian was published in 2019 (Palgrave) and her second will have the title Feminism, corpus-assisted research and language inclusivity. Read Federica's full profile.

Other staff who teach on the course include:

  • Dr Jelena Timotijevic
  • Dr Tim Wharton
  • Simon Wilkinson
  • Dr Vy Rajapillai
  • Dr Barbara Chamberlin
  • Dr Chrystie Myketiak (pictured)
  • Dr Joseph Ronan
  • Dr Dora Carpenter-Latiri.

Dr Chrystie Myketiak

Dr Chrystie Myketiak

More about this subject at Brighton

Welcome to the School of Humanities and Social Science!

Professor Stephen Maddison welcomes you to your new academic home.

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Starting at uni with us in 2023?

Read our getting ready for university pages which are full of information you will find useful before you arrive.

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Careers

Prepare for your career  

Your English Language degree will provide subject knowledge and expertise and opportunities to put what you learn into practice with work-related experience.

You will develop valuable transferable skills such as a critical thinking and writing, independent research and analysis. The course will equip you with excellent presentation, written and oral communication skills.

Option modules in areas such as linguistics, literature, media/film photography, teaching and journalism in your second and third years enable you to tailor your degree to your specific career ambitions.

You can opt to take a placement as part of the course and complete a practical project with a local community or voluntary organisation.

Extra-curricular activities which can add to your skillset and experience include:

  • The Performance and Community Research and Enterprise Group which celebrates, challenges and researches the various modes of performance (voice, body, space, movement, language, sound, texture, shape, words).
  • The student-led Creative Writing Society.

What can I do with an English language degree?

English language degree graduates gain a broad range of skills applicable in a variety of roles, such as:

  • journalism
  • publishing
  • authorship
  • teaching
  • copywriting, editing and proofreading
  • speech and language therapy
  • marketing
  • research
  • PR.

High-profile graduates from our English programmes include Paris Lees, Tanaka Mhishi and Munroe Bergdorf.

Graduates from our English programmes have gone on to careers in:

  • research
  • social media marketing
  • English tutorship
  • SEO Executive
  • law
  • publishing
  • broadcasting
  • public relations 
  • teaching

This degree opens up a range of postgraduate study options. At Brighton, for example, you could progress to:

  • Creative Writing MA
  • Journalism MA
  • Secondary English PGCE.

You could also choose to complete your PhD at Brighton alongside our team of world-leading researchers.

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Royal Literary Fund Fellow

If you want professional feedback on any aspect of your writing, from an essay to a manuscript, you can book a one-to-one tutorial with our resident Royal Literary Fund Fellow.

The sessions are free, confidential and independent of the university. 

You can get advice on

  • academic writing style and how to answer essay questions. 
  • all aspects of your writing, such as developing and structuring an argument to improving style.

Further study 

This degree opens up a range of postgraduate study options. At Brighton, for example, you could progress to:

  • Creative Writing MA
  • Journalism MA
  • Secondary English PGCE.

You could also choose to complete your PhD at Brighton alongside our team of world-leading researchers.

Supporting your employability 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Employable

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,300 GBP

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2023–24.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

  • Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • Student finance and budgeting while studying
  • About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Humanities and Social Science in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • For some assessments you may be required to print large format posters for presentations at a cost of £5–£10 per poster.
  • Most coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £100 for printing.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.
  • Some courses include an optional placement module for which students will need to cover the costs of travel to and from the placement and DBS checks as required.
  • For the Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDip and Psychotherapeutic Psychodynamic Counselling PGDip, the following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fee:
    • Supervision fees: £1,170 for each full year. Estimated based on £45 per hour with fortnightly meetings. In some agencies, supervision will be provided at no cost. Where students have to pay, the cost will only begin when supervision begins.
    • Personal counselling/therapy: £2,000–£2,800 over the course. Estimated based on £40 per hour.
  • For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Two people walking past Mithras halls

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently?
We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Book your place: Moulsecoomb campus open day

See all of our upcoming events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Subscribe to our School of Humanities blog
 to find out about student and staff news, and events.

Statistics

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked below). You can find out also about the support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Course and module descriptions on this page were accurate when first published and are the basis of the course. Detailed information on any changes we make to modules and learning and assessment activities will be sent to all students by email before enrolment, so that you have all the information before you come to Brighton.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni enables you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Discover Uni data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course, and are updated following course changes.

Programme specification

Related courses 14 courses

  • English Language and Creative Writing BA(Hons)

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  • English Language and English Literature BA(Hons)

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  • History, Literature and Culture BA(Hons)

  • Humanities BA(Hons)

  • War and Conflict BA(Hons)

  • Media and English Literature BA(Hons)

  • English Literature BA(Hons)

  • English Literature and Creative Writing BA(Hons)

  • English Literature and Linguistics BA(Hons)

  • English Language and Linguistics BA(Hons)

  • Linguistics BA(Hons)

‹ ›

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