Interested in the art and science of communication?

Ready to reveal what linguistic research can uncover about societies, past and present? Eager to gain invaluable skills useful for a wide range of careers?

With a strong focus on your employability, our English Language degree gets you thinking in a sophisticated way about how language can be interpreted and used to understand human behaviour, psychology, and society.

Language and communication is an integral part of our everyday lives. This course opens windows onto the rich variety of linguistics study, from animal communication and theories of politeness to the evolution of English across the globe. Throughout, we emphasize that mastering the study of language can open many doors for you into the world of work

Student Rated: 100% of students studying English Language at Northumbria believed their course was intellectually stimulating and well organised. They also thought that their course had the right balance of direct and independent study and believed that their course introduced subjects and skills in a way that built on what they’d already learned (NSS, 2023)

How will I learn during this English Language Studies course?

Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, small-group workshops and individual tutorials. These will be backed up by a well-designed support system that ensures you have a successful learning journey in each academic year. You will not only receive extensive feedback but also ‘feed-forward’ as tutors work with you to explore how you can keep improving on previous work.

Our assessment strategy is designed to support student-centred learning, based on our understanding that everyone has different needs, strengths and enthusiasms. Assessments will develop your communication skills while also testing your grasp of the learning outcomes for each module. Assessment methods will include presentations, learning diaries, written coursework, exams and a final-year dissertation.

A wide range of option modules are offered on this course. To ensure the quality of the student learning experience, some modules are subject to minimum and maximum student numbers.

Where will I learn throughout my time at Northumbria University?

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. The use of TEL enables us to ‘flip’ our classrooms where appropriate, so that contact time is focused on answering questions and applying what you have already learnt.

The 24/7 University Library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK and has held the Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence since 2010.

There are over half a million print books and another 500,000 electronic books available online. The University has invested in specialist linguistics software and further facilities are available at the Institute for the Humanities, in the University’s Lipman Building. These include a resource room, specialist computing equipment and interview rooms.