BA (Hons)
English Language and Literature
Combining the literary and linguistic study of English
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Are you interested in the way language is used to act on listeners or readers? That issue is central to both aspects of English, whether you are studying linguistic features directly through language units or on literature's approach to the rhetorical use of language in different historical periods.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Engage with and evaluate current critical debates
- Undertake work or research placements, volunteer roles and internships alongside your study
- Take up the option of some foreign language study
What opportunities might it lead to?
You will be well positioned to find employment in a variety of fields including teaching, publishing, journalism and media. While studying English literature is a great foundation for a career in the arts, the sophisticated analytical and presentational skills you will gain are also highly valued by a range of non degree-specific graduate employers.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- television script writing
- journalism
- public relations
- web design
- editing
- further academic study
I've particularly enjoyed the intellectually challenging and rewarding environment of my course, as I have been allowed to really think outside the box when it comes to in-depth literary analysis.
Oliver Meredew, BA (Hons) English Language and Literature student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- Q300
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A Levels or equivalent, to include 100 points from A Level English.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Subject:
English, Film, Journalism and Media
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Getting the chance to develop practical skills alongside learning the theory
- The high-quality teaching and flexibility of options that enables you to tailor your course to your own interests
- The passion and knowledge of the lecturers that makes studying so enjoyable
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
- Literary Theory
- Literary History 1
- Language, Society and Mind
- How Language Works
- Introduction to Narrative
- Starting Language Research
Year two
Core units include:
- Literary History 2
- Meaning in English
Options include:
- Eighteenth Century and Romantic Literature
- Early Modern Drama
- American Literature
- Nation and Travel
- Victorian Literature and Visual Culture
- Analysing Discourse
- Forensic Linguistics
- Language and Language Teaching
- The Structure of English
- Literary Prizes and Public Acclaim
- Languages (University Wide Option)
- Learning from Experience
Year three
Core unit includes:
- Dissertation (English Language or English Literature)
Options include:
- Early Modern Literature and the Bible
- Enlightenment: Literature, Culture and Modernity
- Magical Realism
- Postmodern Historical Fiction
- War and Fascism
- Tracing Borders: Women and Writing 1890-1940
- Twentieth Century Avant-Garde Fiction
- Friendship, Community and Identity in Seventeenth Century Poetry
- Charles Dickens
- Holocaust Literatures
- US Masculinities
- European Literary Decadence
- (Re)Writing Revenge on the Early Modern Stage
- Consuming Fictions: Food and Appetite in Victorian Culture
- English in an Historical Perspective
- English in the World
- Professional Communication
- Professional Communication 2
- Learning from Experience
Teaching and Assessment
Our teaching approach involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. A personal tutor will guide you through study skills, research management and dissertation work during your studies, and you will participate in group discussions and projects.
How are you assessed?
We use a range of assessment methods including essays, close textual analysis, presentations and a dissertation. You will also work with your peers to discuss ideas and produce group presentations.
The final classification of your degree award is determined by your overall performance in the second and third year.
Tutor's view
Dr Elodie Rousselot
English Language and Literature
By combining literary study with an examination of the linguistic structure of English, this course offers a fascinating way into two exciting disciplines.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with group working spaces, printers, Mac workstations and more
Research-Active Staff
Academic staff split their time between research and teaching
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with a comfy seating area, desks where you can work, printers, Mac workstations and access to the wireless network so you can log in using your own laptop. There are also several study rooms where you can work on group projects, alongside access to the University 3rd Space.
Research-Active Staff
You will be taught by specialist staff who are actively undertaking research in this field, ensuring you are kept abreast of the latest developments. Staff are members of the Centre for Literary Studies (CSL) and the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR).
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
I have found that the library’s wide range of books and journals have been particularly helpful to me as an English student. Not only does the library vastly reduce potential costs, but it also provides a place of mutual solace.
Abby Gorman, BA (Hons) English Language and Literature student 2013
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
This degree is a great preparation for a career in publishing, the media, teaching or research. As well as being a great foundation for a career in the arts, it will help you develop sophisticated analytical and presentational skills, which are also highly valued by a range of non degree-specific graduate pathways including human resource management and information services work. You’ll also possess a firm foundation to continue your studies at Masters or PhD level
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- archivist
- recruitment consultant
- museum curator
- public relations officer
- information analyst
Work experience
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you’re involved in alongside your study.
We can offer you a number of work experience opportunities in a range of local organisations during your degree course. Currently these include projects at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the New Theatre Royal, with local government departments and political groups, and a number of our students have worked on small research projects for the local community.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more