School of Social, Historical and Political Studies

BA (Hons) English Language and Literatures with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years

Aiming to inspire a passionate and expert knowledge of literary and cultural texts from the medieval era to the present day, within this course you will study a variety of writers from the West Midlands to the wider world beyond.

Aiming to inspire a passionate and expert knowledge of literary and cultural texts from the medieval era to the present day, within this course you will study a variety of writers from the West Midlands to the wider world beyond.

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
Q318
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years),Part-time (8 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

The course aims to inspire a passion for and knowledge of literary and cultural texts from the medieval era to the present day, by writers from the West Midlands to the wider world beyond. Another aim of the course is to enable you to learn about the form and functions of the English language in a wide variety of contexts and to promote your understanding of the political and ideological significance of language, literature and culture in a wide range of social and historical contexts, especially in relation to gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, class and disability. One other important aim is to develop your awareness of the significance of ethical evaluations of reading, writing and linguistic interpretation, supporting an understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion in literature, language and culture. You will be encouraged to reflect critically on literary and linguistic production and reception, value and cultural capital. The course aims to advance your understanding of the different forms, aesthetics, genres, and functions of literary and cultural texts and to enhance your verbal, written and digital communication skills for developing and sustaining a professional career. Combining Language and Literatures will foster your skills in critical and creative thinking, analysis, research, and problem-solving, for academic success and employment beyond your degree. Ultimately the aim is to help you develop your confidence in making your voice heard, at university, in employment, and in culture and society.

The Foundation year prepares students for university level study. Successful completion of our Foundation course permits access to any of our Humanities or Media BA (Hons) degree courses, which include English Literatures, English Language, Creative and Professional Writing, Linguistics, and Media – many of which can be taken singly as specialist degrees or together as ‘joint’ degree routes. The Foundation year begins with modules aimed at providing transferable study skills and then, in the second semester, gives students the opportunity to study more specialist modules, with a focus on various aspects of Humanities and Media.

The degree fosters your skills in critical and creative thinking, analysis, research, and problem-solving, for academic success and employment beyond your degree. This programme will enable you to develop your confidence in making your voice heard, at university, in employment, and in culture and society. This degree equips students for employment in any area where critical thinking, analytical skills, and where exemplary written and verbal communication skills are important. English Language and Literatures graduates are valued for their capabilities in critical thinking, evidence gathering and evaluation, argument or point-of-view construction and advocacy, and problem solving, with these transferable skills proving highly desirable throughout the employment market. Many graduates have proceeded to postgraduate study, gaining Masters degrees, teaching and other postgraduate professional qualifications, and PhDs. Our graduates go into diverse careers and occupations, including education at all levels, management and leadership, local government, librarianship and information services, social work, the civil service, retail and the service sector, fundraising and charity work, journalism and professional writing, proof-reading, copyediting and publishing.

What's unique about this course?

1.    You will be taught synthesising literature and linguistic approaches, including literature of the Midlands across time. You are encouraged to blog our experiences on the departmental blog space and to write for the Faculty e-zine.  
2.    You will have opportunities to work in the Arena Theatre, conduct research with employers through our Humanities work placement module and to connect with employers throughout the degree programme. 
3.    Research undertaken at Level 6 will allow you to apply skills to produce a piece of original research concerning linguistics in the world. Recent examples include studies on the loss of complex kinship terms in the Panjabi English diaspora as bilingualism leads to language shift, and discursive approaches to regaining public trust in online discussion of chemtrails.  
4.    The innovative assessment will allow the acquisition of various literacies and competences from producing a poetry chapbook to conducting and writing up an original linguistic fieldwork study. 

What happens on the course?

The course offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of literatures, from the canonical to the popular and from diverse authors. You will learn how the English Language is used to shape not only the world, but our minds. There is a strong emphasis on the way in which language and literatures shape social and cultural identities. There will also be a focus on the politics, ethics, and ideologies of cultural representation, and issues of equality and diversity in literatures, language culture. You will experience a friendly, welcoming staff, who are dedicated to working with you to enable you to achieve your full potential. You will be taking part in sessions with internationally renowned literary critics, award-winning novels and poets. You will also have the opportunity to participate in our Literatures@Wolves Culture Programme, including visits to sites of regional, national and international interest, with regular events on Campus, theatre performances, visits to museums, galleries and events. We also aim to embed opportunities for assessment and work experience that plays to your strengths, and that will support your skills for employment on graduation. You will be able to complete a Student Record of Achievement, a record of skills and experiences to present to prospective employers. Following graduation and the required classification, you will be able to go onto our Masters degree in English or Popular Culture, and also consider entering our PhD programme.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Graduates in Linguistics, English Language and TESOL have specialisms across the Arts and Sciences. Our graduates have gone on to military communication training, further education teaching, forensic linguistics (working with legal experts presenting linguistic evidence to the courts). They have taken jobs in speech and language therapy, computational linguistics and in teaching across mainstream and specialist situations, in both multilingual and monolingual contexts and all over the world. Recent graduate destinations have included Birmingham City University, Shropshire Council, Birmingham Adult Education Services, CoachBright social mobility charity, as well as schools, further education colleges and universities across the UK, Europe, Japan, China and South Korea.

 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

 

  • Demonstrate clearly the range of skills required to comprehend, analyse and interpret literary and non-literary texts
  • Demonstrate superior language skills through written and oral expression
  • Attain an advanced knowledge of literary and linguistic history and the contextual approaches to the production and reception of texts
  • Develop critical and ethical self-awareness, and intellectual and political curiosity, about literature and language in a multicultural and international context
  • Demonstrate enterprising learning, scholarly skills and independent thought
  • Demonstrate transferable skills intrinsic to the subject area and of value to graduate employment

 

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Prepare for Foundation Pathway: - We will consider mature applicants (age 21 or over) who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience.  You will be required to attend a compulsory Prepare for foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course.  If you would like more advice and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact Gateway to discuss and support you making an application to us.

Academic Pathway: - 48+ UCAS tariff points

Either

  • A-levels: Grade profile of DD
  • Access to HE Diploma: (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at pass)
  • BTEC: Grade profile of PPP
  • T-Level: Pass grade with a core component profile less than C.
  • Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required.
  • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old or above at the start of the course.

 

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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