Year 1

Compulsory modules

Understanding Language 1: History, Sound and Structure

This module introduces students to the key concepts in English Linguistics and familiarises them with terminology and current debates in the field. The course aims to develop students’ analysis and discussion skills through practical analyses of experimental and language data in the lectures as well as in assessments. Some of the areas you will study include the history of the English Language, phonetics and phonology, and the structure of words.

You'll also explore methodologies used in language acquisition research, with opportunities to improve your presentation, discussion and academic writing skills.

Understanding Language 2: System and Use

In this module, you’ll get to grips with key concepts of language. You’ll look at language as a system, and how we use it in different contexts of communication. You’ll understand language and its associated terms and definitions. You’ll gain core linguistic skills, as you explore linguistic analysis in areas of language such as:

 sound (phonetics and phonology)
 language as meaning (semantics)
 language as structure (syntax).

You will explore these concepts through the study of written and spoken language in context.

Introduction to Discourse Analysis

In this module, you’ll gain a strong understanding of Discourse Analysis (the study of written and spoken language in its social context). You’ll gain key knowledge for Years 2 and 3 of your degree as you get to grips with the principles of Discourse Analysis. You will:

 analyse language in the context of crime investigation (Forensic Linguistics)
 explore how culture shapes our use of language (Intercultural Communication)
 look at the different ways we communicate beyond language (Multimodal Communication)
 look at the relationship between language and power (Critical Language Studies)
 Explore how we interact in conversations (Conversation Analysis)

You’ll understand the key theories of these areas of study. You’ll also gain key analytical skills, as you apply them to real-world scenarios.

Sociolinguistics

What is the effect of society on language use? In this module, you’ll get to grips with Sociolinguistics and its core areas, including:

 language and gender
 language and age
 language and ethnicity
 code-switching

You’ll gain core linguistic knowledge and refer to a wide range of geographic contexts, as you draw from studies on*:

 diglossia (when two dialects are used in a community)
 bidialectism (using two dialects of the same language)
 multi-dialectalism (using multiple dialects of the same language)
 bilingualism (ability to speak two languages)
 plurilingualism (ability to speak multiple languages and switch between them depending on the situation).

Please note that the above listing may vary depending on the academic leading the module. Details will be confirmed during the academic year.

Introduction to Applied Linguistics

In this module, you’ll gain the key tools you need for your degree, allowing you to excel in the rich field of English Language and Linguistics. In each session, you’ll gain valuable skills in academic writing, unlocking your potential to succeed in your studies. You’ll also be introduced to the key areas in the field of Applied Linguistics.

Language Acquisition

From baby talk to babbling, how do we acquire language from a young age? In this module, you’ll get to grips with language acquisition and its core areas, including how infants process language, and how we may learn more than one language. You’ll dive into debates on language acquisition and development. You’ll also gain core analytical skills, as you use linguistic evidence to advance theories of language acquisition and development.

Optional modules

Theory of Knowledge

What does it mean to know something? Is knowledge different from mere belief? And is knowledge actually possible?

In this module, you’ll get to know the great thinkers of the past, and explore what they say about knowledge. You’ll explore the minds of:

 Plato
 Descartes
 Hume
 Locke
 Berkeley.

You also focus on key debates about knowledge today. You’ll gain fantastic analytical skills as you consider:

 the meaning of perception
 if we can know something through hearsay
 if we can know the world beyond our minds
 if there can be a scientific account of knowledge.

Introduction to Child and Adolescent Development

How do developmental issues impact children’s learning? You’ll gain a sound knowledge of development, and the developmental themes behind children’s learning.

You’ll explore key developmental concepts that affect a child's capacity for learning, and evaluate alternative theoretical models of the learning process. You’ll also consider such topics as:

 the developing brain
 constructivist and social constructivist approaches to making sense of the world
 family, school, friends and other contexts for learning
 active engagement in learning - exploration and play
 self expression and creativity.

Creative Writing 1: Voice and Craft in Poetry and Prose

In this module, you’ll enhance your power and ability as a creative writer. You’ll attend workshops where you’ll learn through reading, writing, discussion and feedback. You’ll practise your own writing, explore the interplay of creativity and craft, and analyse how you work as a writer. You’ll join other students to explore key approaches in prose, poetry and script writing, through:

 practical writing exercises
 discussing each-other’s work
 critically analysing the work of published writers
 exploring key writing practices.

You’ll produce a portfolio of original creative writing, as well as a study of the aims and processes of your creative work. You’ll develop excellent writing habits, and the ability to reflect on your own writing practices. You’ll also understand the literary and cultural context of your own writing.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Analysing English

In this module, you’ll gain core knowledge for your degree, as you get to grips with a Systemic-Functional model of language. This looks at the linguistic choices we make depending on the context. You’ll consider the Systematic-Functional model as a key way to analyse spoken and written texts. You’ll investigate the relationship between society, culture and language through texts in many different contexts.

Critical Linguistics

In this module, you’ll study the relationship between language and power and how this appears in, for example, the media. You’ll explore how power and dominant ways of thinking in society are reinforced in popular culture, and how journalists report current affairs. You’ll meet movements of social resistance, from Hip Hop culture to Carnival, and you’ll analyse their rejection of these dominant norms through language and representation. You’ll gain core skills for your degree, as you understand the debates around Critical Language Studies, and apply them to real-world texts.

Language and the Mind

In this module, you’ll explore the relationship between language and the mind. You’ll get to grips with key issues in cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics. You’ll gain core skills for your degree, as you understand the methods researchers use to analyse these fields. You’ll explore a number of topics, including:

 non-literal language processing
 language development in infancy and early childhood
 cognitive processing in reading
 the neural bases of bilingualism
 cognitive processing of sign language

You’ll also explore real-life studies from a wide range of contexts.

Research Methods

In this module, you’ll gain core research skills, allowing you to succeed in your degree and in writing your dissertation. You’ll study quantitative (the statistical analysis of data) and qualitative (interviewing people and considering human experiences) research methods. You’ll get to grips with a range of research tools and approaches, and understand how to do appropriate data analysis. You’ll also gain a sensitivity to ethical issues, and how to apply all of the above in the writing of your 3rd year dissertation project.

Optional modules

Creative Writing 2: Exploring Genre, Form and Style

In this module, you’ll enhance your power and ability as a creative writer. You’ll attend workshops where you’ll learn through reading, writing, discussion and feedback. You’ll practise your own writing, explore the interplay of creativity and craft, and analyse how you work as a writer. You’ll join other students in exploring key approaches in poetry and prose, through:

 practical writing exercises
 discussing each-other’s work
 critically analysing the work of published writers
 exploring key writing practices.

You’ll produce a portfolio of original creative writing, as well as a study of the aims and processes of your creative work. You’ll develop excellent writing habits, and the ability to reflect on your own writing practices. You’ll also understand the literary and cultural context of your own writing.

Psychology and Education

In this module, you’ll get to grips with the thinking of major psychologists on human learning - from babies to adults You’ll look at the learner in context, considering their learning environment, and factors such as motivation and different types of intelligence. You’ll also consider teaching and learning styles, and understand the importance of self-esteem in the learning process.

Language, Culture and Globalization (also available in year 3)

In this module, you’ll explore the relationship between language, culture and globalization. You’ll gain key analytical skills as you observe how language operates in local and global contexts. You’ll look at language through a sociolinguistic approach - considering the relationship between language and society and how they affect each other. You’ll explore how English rose to become an international language, spoken in countries all over the world. You’ll explore a range of topics, including:

 language and gender
 language and politics
 language and standardisation
 globalisation discourses
 linguistic imperialism (when we impose our language on speakers of another language).

Persuasive Communication (also available in year 3)

How can the skills in persuasive speaking (rhetorics) help us understand and solve cultural problems? In this module, you’ll gain invaluable speaking and writing skills for your future career. You’ll also understand key rhetorical practices and how they affect society. You’ll explore the rhetorical tools likely to produce social change. You’ll put these to use, crafting persuasive messages that are:

 Clear
 Attractive
 Well-crafted
 Ethical.

You’ll become a skilled writer and speaker, able to take into account your audience, message and genre as you craft persuasive language.

English Language Teaching to Adults (also available in year 3)

Do you dream of working as an English language teacher? Do you want to help adult learners grasp the English language? In this module, you’ll get to grips with English language teaching. You’ll gain a strong knowledge of teaching English, and essential skills in effective language teaching. You’ll also develop key practical skills for teaching English to adult learners. If you take this course, you’ll be able to apply to British Study Centres, Oxford to undertake your teaching practice, and acquire a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). This is recognised by Cambridge Assessment as a pre-service training qualification.

Intercultural Communication (also available in year 3)

In this module, you’ll get to grips with intercultural identity (connections between cultures) and intracultural identity (connections between people of the same culture). You’ll gain core ethnographic knowledge for your degree, meaning you’ll gain a strong awareness of how to study people and their cultures. You’ll dig into the philosophical foundations of Critical Theory. You’ll also gain strong self-awareness, as you analyse your own cultural traditions and norms. You’ll explore the dimensions of your own identity, and develop sensitivity to seeing the world as others see it.

Independent Study (also available in year 3)

This module gives you the chance to do research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll work independently, honing your self-discipline skills and motivation, You’ll have the support of our expert English Language and Linguistics lecturers as you carry out work on a specific project of your choosing. You’ll gain core skills for work, including in:

 enquiry
 research
 analysis
 evaluation.

Journalism and Popular Culture

Explore journalism’s place in society and culture - and its impact. In this module, you’ll investigate journalism throughout the ages - from Baudelaire and Aristotle to today. You’ll also develop a portfolio of industry-standard journalistic work. This will include reviews and features for online, print and broadcast media - covering art, film, music, fashion, celebrity and more. You’ll strengthen your journalistic skills and knowledge - and you’ll understand how journalists influence the world around us.

Special Topics: Stylistics

Stylistics is the study of the language of literature, focusing on how texts (and readers) create meanings and interpretations. If you learn about stylistics, you’ll be able to develop richer interpretations of any texts you meet. You’ll have a better understanding of how you reached those interpretations and be able to explain them more clearly.

In this option, you’ll explore some key concepts in literary study, such as characterisation and point of view, and you’ll gain a new understanding of how they work. In the second half of the semester, you’ll also try guided creative rewriting and critical comparison of texts. This will help you gain further insight into how to interpret writing.

You’ll read prose fiction, play texts and written poetry, and you’ll also look at performed and digital literature.

This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.

Work and community-related learning (also available in year 3)

This module gives you the chance to reflect on learnings gained from activities in work or community-related and extra-curricular settings. You’ll gain both personally and academically from your work experiences and community context, and you’ll engage in self-directed learning with appropriate academic supervision and structured reflection.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Subject to Discourse: Language and Literacies

In this module, you’ll gain core critical skills, as you analyse texts that you come across in your day-to-day life. You’ll have the chance to apply the theories and frameworks you’ve learned in your English Language and Linguistics degree, expanding your knowledge of language, putting you in a great position to succeed in your assessments.

Research Project / Dissertation

This module gives you the chance to do research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll gain core critical skills as you dive into a specific topic in English Language and Linguistics. Previous dissertation topics have included: the representation of gender in Hip hop videos; an analysis of male and female Death Row Statements; the use of swearing on Facebook; the use of teasing in 'Celebs Go Dating'; how the mental lexicon is accessed; the use of metaphor in pop music lyrics.

Optional modules

Analysing Spoken Discourse

In this module, you’ll gain valuable critical skills as you analyse how we actually interact in conversation. You’ll get to grips with the transcription of spoken language and you’ll use a Conversation Analysis model (CA) as a way to explore the ‘rules’ underlying conversation. You’ll gain strong knowledge and skills in applying description and analysis and you’ll analyse talk in the media, business and legal settings, amongst others.

Digital Journalism: Disruption and Power Dynamics

How does technology shape the media, journalists and audiences? In this module, you’ll explore innovative, future-facing digital content - in the context of fake news and media power struggles. You’ll build digital reporting, writing and editing skills - like data-driven newswriting, live events coverage, or analytics reporting. You’ll develop strategic storytelling skills. And you’ll learn how to curate powerful digital content for social media channels, apps and other tech platforms.

Educational Sociolinguistics

How do we address linguistic variation within education? In this module, you’ll explore issues such as:

 transnationalism (how people connect across nations)
 transmigration (the movement of people)
 multilingual and multicultural development

and how these relate to education. You’ll dig into topics such as:

 appropriate pedagogies
 language-teacher training
 parental and community involvement for effective education
 appropriate assessment of bilinguals
 language-education planning.

Forensic Linguistics

How can we use our knowledge of language to assist in the solving of crime? In this module, you’ll get to grips with forensic linguistics - the study of texts in criminal contexts. You’ll gain core analytical skills as you apply linguistic analysis to everything from language as evidence (such as emails, text messages and ransom notes), to police interviews and the use of language in law courts.

Independent Study

This module gives you the chance to do research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll work independently, with the support of our expert academic team, and will carry out work on a specific project of your choosing. You’ll gain core skills for work, including in:

 enquiry
 research
 analysis
 evaluation.

Language and Identities

In this module, you’ll dive into issues of language and identity. You’ll explore identity markers, including:

 social class
 age
 gender
 sexuality
 ethnicity
 religion.

You’ll gain core analytical skills for your degree, as you analyse these identities and how these play out in face-to-face and virtual interactions, and oral and written communication, including media and classrooms. You’ll enrich your perspective and develop your ideas as you discuss theories and real-life studies around identity and language with your lecturer and fellow students. You’ll look at the ethical guidelines designed for research on language and identity, as you collect and analyse data. You’ll understand historical discussions on language and identity through issues that are personally relevant to you.

Language Teaching: Learning and Creativity

In this module, you’ll explore approaches to language learning and teaching, as well as theories of creativity, both inside and outside language learning contexts. You’ll be exposed to different ways of teaching reading, writing, speaking and listening. You’ll also discover approaches to creativity in language students, and how teaching resources - such as course books and tests - impact learning.

Philosophy of Education

What’s the point of education? What do we hope to achieve by it? In this module, you’ll dig into core questions about education through a philosophical approach. You’ll gain excellent critical skills as you debate contemporary, historical and international perspectives. You’ll consider the groundbreaking texts that shape the way we understand educational desires and efforts, and you’ll reflect on your own educational experience.

Psycholinguistics

How do infants acquire their first language? How do young and adult learners acquire a foreign language, and how do they use it? In this module, you’ll get to grips with psycholinguistics - the study of language and the mind. You’ll explore fascinating issues around how we process language, the language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening and the role of memory, as well as conditions such as dyslexia and aphasia (difficulty in producing or understanding speech).

Media and Propaganda: from War to Fake News

This module explores controversial social and political narratives in the media. Social and political groups have used the power of words and images to influence people for centuries - and still do today. You’ll examine propaganda from major twentieth century wars. You’ll analyse the modern media - and the powerful individuals who influence it. And you’ll examine how people harness social media today, to drive change.

Special Topics in English Language and Linguistics

In this module, you’ll have the chance to explore in-depth a variety of areas in Applied Linguistics, such as Corpus Linguistics, Language Play, the language of ritual, or of subcultures. Or you might consider the interplay between verbal and non-verbal communication. You’ll work in small groups and you’ll question, discuss and share ideas with your peers.

This module is subject to availability in any given year.

Work and Community- Related Learning

This module gives you the chance to reflect on learnings gained from activities in work or community-related and extra-curricular settings. You’ll gain both personally and academically from your work experiences and community context, and you’ll engage in self-directed learning with appropriate academic supervision and structured reflection.
Work Placements

Optional modules

There are opportunities for students to undertake work experience in areas such as Public Relations. Work experience can be organised by the student or in conjunction with the university. Students will have to pay for any travel costs to attend work experience.


Learning and teaching

You’ll learn in a supportive and stimulating environment. You’ll be part of a close-knit programme whereby you’ll know everyone and get lots of support from both teaching staff and fellow students. Participation and discussion are important features of the English Language and Linguistics course. We believe people learn more effectively this way.

Most modules combine lectures and seminar-style discussion based on weekly readings. You'll have the chance to discuss and challenge a wide variety of critical views and perspectives in your seminars.