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English Language (Single Honours) BA (Hons)

English Language BA (Hons)

Immerse yourself in the form, culture and analysis of a global language rich in history. Explore writing styles, linguistics, acquisition, and even learn an additional language.

Overview

We live in a world governed and connected by technology. At DMU we believe that you should study the nature of the 'wired' environment and how it influences who you are. As part of our approach to digital humanities, you will have the opportunity to see how communication and language operate on web-based platforms, and how the application of digital tools and methods can deepen the knowledge of your chosen subject area. 

Your first year will introduce you to the study of language in general, how sounds become words and how words are put together to create meaning. You will develop your ability to take language apart as well as learn how to put it together to create clear, effective communication.  

Second and third year options include teaching English, a final-year work placement module and the opportunity to study material such as propaganda and interrogation, pragmatics – which looks at the gap between what we say and what we mean – psycholinguistics, and the political, social and cultural roles of language. 

The language you speak shapes the world you see. This degree helps you understand both better, and to make connections between what you study and what goes on in the world beyond the classroom. 

Key features:

  • With a wide range of highly specialised modules, you can study the theories and practice of English language in detail, as well as tailor your learning to your specific interests and career ambitions. Modules you can choose from include Sociolinguistics, English Language in UK Schools, Textual Studies Using Computers and Language, Mind and Culture. 

  • You will study a range of topics, including words in action, a foreign language, sociolinguistics, corpus linguistics and TESOL.

  • Develop a global understanding of the English language through our international experience programme, DMU Global. Students have previously explored ekphrastic writing and themes of oppression in Berlin, and visited TED HQ and key literary locations in New York.

  • Evolve a range of transferrable skills that are valuable to a variety of career paths. Our graduates have gone on to work at Meisei University in Tokyo, the Department of Transport, communications agencies and schools in the UK and overseas.  

  • Visiting lecturers have included world-renowned expert of forensic linguistics Dr John Olsson, while organised trips to professional events have seen students visit the London Language Show.

  • Gain workplace abilities and experience by putting your research, reasoning and communication skills into practice on a placement or extracurricular internship during your degree. 

Scholarships:

DMU Global High Flyers Award
Our dedicated DMU Global High Flyers Award offers ambitious students a discount of up to £1,000 towards a DMU Global opportunity (terms and conditions apply).

 

More courses like this

  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: Q315 

Duration: Three years full-time, four years full-time with a placement. Six years part-time.

Fees and funding: 

2024/25 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

Find out more about tuition fees and available funding.

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding: 

2024/25 tuition fees for international students: £15,750

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Typical entry requirements

  • 104 points from at least 2 A'levels
  • BTEC Extended Diploma DMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 24+ Points

Plus five GCSEs grades 9-4 including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above.

  • Pass Access with 30 level 3 credits at Merit and GCSE English (Language or Literature) at grade 4 or above.

We will normally require students have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

  • We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above

Interview required: No

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

 

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

 

First year

  • Words in Action: an introduction to Grammar and Linguistics
  • Evolving Language: an Introduction to the Histories of Language
  • Approaches to Reading and Writing
  • Foundations in English Language Teaching for International Learners
  • Introduction to the Novel
  • Exploring Creative Writing
  • Modern Language 1

Second year

  • Sociolinguistics
  • Grammar: Analysing Linguistic Structure
  • Semantics: Analysing Linguistic Meaning
  • Phonetics and Phonology
  • Research Methods for Linguists
  • Language in Context
  • Pragmatics in the Real World
  • English Language in UK Schools
  • Introducing English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • Varieties of English Language Teaching for International Learners
  • Text Technologies
  • Writing Place
  • Modern Language 2

Third year

  • English Language Dissertation
  • English Language in the Workplace (Placement Module)
  • Language Acquisition
  • Language, Mind and Culture
  • Powerful Language: An Introduction To Rhetoric
  • Perception, Persuasion, Power: Communication and Control
  • Textual Studies using Computers
  • English Language for Specific and Professional Purposes
  • Professional Writing Skills
  • Modern Language 3
  • Language, Gender and Sexuality
  • Data From Texts: Corpus Linguistics

Click here for more detailed module information


Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Overview

You will be taught by staff with a wide range of knowledge and experience in English Language  and linguistics (theoretical, applied, and historical), modern foreign languages, English literature, English as a foreign language, history, international relations and American studies. Members of the team are engaged in a wide range of research projects which feed directly into our teaching. The staff who teach you also demonstrate a deep commitment to high-quality teaching and learning, as evidenced by the holding of awards from the Higher Education Authority and Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award. 

In the final year you have the opportunity to do a work placement module.

Contact hours

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work and self-directed study. Assessment is through coursework (e.g. presentations, essays and reports). Your precise timetable will depend on the optional modules you choose to take, however, in your first year you will normally attend around 10 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 25 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

 

Facilities and features

Placements

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

 

Campus Centre

The home of  De Montfort Students' Union, (DSU) our Campus Centre offers a welcoming and lively hub for student life. Conveniently located at the heart of campus, it includes a convenience store, a Subway and a Starbucks. Here you can find the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and DSU’s shop, SUpplies, selling art supplies, stationery and clothing, and printing and binding services. The building is also home to the DSU officer team. 

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Placements

Though the English in the Workplace module you can put the skills developed during your English degree into practice with a placement. This insight into the professional world is a valuable opportunity to enhance and build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career. 

Previous students have taken up placements in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including some international posts, across a range of companies including public relations agencies and local schools. For instance, our students have worked as teaching assistants in schools, supported children with special educational needs through speech and language therapy, assisted with Digital Humanities research projects at DMU’s Centre for Textual Studies, worked in local publishing, at the Leicester Mercury and for the BBC. 

Our careers programme DMU Works can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Students on the #DMUglobal trip to New York

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers. 

Through DMU Global, we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

Students on this course have been on DMU Global trips to explore ekphrastic writing and themes of oppression in Berlin, as well as visiting TED HQ and key literary locations in New York. 

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Graduate careers

Our graduates have strong linguistic, reasoning and analytical skills, making them highly employable. We develop our students’ information analysis and presentation skills to produce articulate, adaptable, professional communicators who can operate with ease in any setting and with any group of people.

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