English Language and English Literature

English Language Language has a profound influence on the way we see, construct and interpret the world around us. It shapes our identities and culture and can be used to manipulate the way we think. The English Language degree examines a wide range of varieties of English in their social, cultural and historical contexts. It teaches you how to closely analyse texts ranging from everyday discourse to fictional narratives to the language of the media.

Studying English Language provides you with a sound knowledge of how language is structured, how it developed and spread globally, and how it functions both in society and in our minds, but it also equips you with a variety of practical critical and analytical skills. We pride ourselves on offering a challenging and stimulating degree with a wide range of innovative teaching and assessment methods, with an emphasis on how language is used for professional purposes and the practical skills valuable in selected careers.

English Literature Study with us and you will encounter a wide variety of texts from medieval right through to contemporary literature. As much as possible we try to make the experience of literature come alive by not only studying texts in classrooms, but also going on various local and national field trips.

During your degree, you will gain a sound grasp of the contexts and approaches within which English literature can be studied, as well as gaining a sense of the development across periods of English literature. You also develop a critical appreciation of the ways in which knowledge of other disciplines and their relationships to English literature can contribute to a deeper understanding of literary texts. The academic staff teaching the degree have research expertise in a broad range of fields. We pride ourselves on offering a challenging and stimulating degree, and our commitment to small group teaching allows us to help each individual student to develop sophisticated analytical and communication skills through working both independently and in groups.