The study of English language will help you develop key analytic, critical thinking and communication skills that can be transferred to the world of work.

For admission to the programme, you should meet one of the following entry requirements:

school leavers: 240 tariff points, with a 'B' in English Language (if taken) , or equivalent

mature students: satisfactory completion of an Access to Higher Education Programme (usually in Humanities or Social Sciences), or credit bearing part-time study, or relevant work experience (e.g. teaching, public relations, journalism)

international students: equivalent academic qualifications plus a recognised English language proficiency qualification, e.g. IELTS Grade 6 or TOEFL 550 or an equivalent English language test score

• develop your English language competencies and reflective abilities to a high level
• gain confidence in dealing with cultural differences in the use of English around the world
• deepen your understanding of the nature of English in its various forms and purposes
• increase your analytical and evaluative skills so that you can tackle a wide range of practical and intellectual tasks

Knowledge

• You will learn about the different kinds of English in social, academic and professional settings
• You will learn how to describe and explain the wide variation in the use of English, both regionally and internationally
• You will learn about key concepts in cross-cultural communication
• You will learn to recognise and understand important processes and strategies you use when learning English

Thinking skills

• You will learn how to reflect on your own language learning and communication
• You will become adept at formulating convincing explanations for the presence of various forms and uses of English
• You will learn how to think critically about the ways in which language is used in social and professional life
• You will develop your ability to take account of a wide range of issues and factors that need to be considered when relating theory and practice in English Language Studies

Subject-Based Practical skills

• You will learn how to develop advanced proficiency skills in English
• You will learn how to use computer assisted language learning programmes
• You will develop skills in analysing the English language in use
• You will learn how to interpret cross-cultural communication in given contexts

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• You will learn how to take responsibility for your own learning and how to study independently
• You will learn how to work in groups on particular practical and analytical tasks
• You will acquire time management skills
• You will learn ways to solve communication problems in professional settings
• You will develop your skills in interacting with others from different social and cultural backgrounds from yourself

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 5 years in part-time mode. It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa, to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year begins in September and ends in June, but some students also join at the start of Semester B, in February. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year (3 modules in each Semester) would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year (2 modules in each Semester) would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:

• Single - 120 credits at levels one, two and three
• Major - 80 credits at levels one, two and three
• Joint - 60 credits at levels one, two and three
• Minor - 40 credits at levels one, two and three

Modules are defined as:

• Core - Must be taken
• Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
• University wide option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher

(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)

Knowledge is developed through

• Lectures, seminars and workshops
• Private study to consolidate understanding of key issues
• Group work sessions within teaching sessions and outside these times

Thinking skills are developed through

• Classroom tasks and activities which focus on issues that arise in lectures and readings
• Individual and group work, analysing samples of English language in context
• Reflection on own language learning strategies and communication skills

Practical skills are developed through

• Tasks and activities focusing on analysis of English language data from a wide range of settings and situations
• Engagement with computer assisted language learning activities
• Individual and group work, Interpreting instances of cross-cultural communication

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Exposure to a range of academic and practical tasks
• Classroom and private study tasks which promote a range of learner independence strategies
• Opportunities to understand how communication works in professional settings by analysing critical moments in the use of English by speakers from different language backgrounds

Knowledge is assessed by

• Coursework assignments
• Examinations
• Project reports
• Self-reflective assignments (learning journals or diaries)

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Seminar, tutorial and classroom participation
• Coursework assignments
• Examinations

Practical skills are assessed by

• Group and individual presentations
• Observation of students in computer assisted language learning
• Coursework assignments
• Examinations

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Observation of students' ability to respond to a wide range of challenging intellectual and practical tasks
• Participation in class/group/tutorial discussion

Students' own reflections on experiences and reactions to various coursework assignments and tasks through written reports, commentaries and self-assessment forms