English Language and Linguistics with LiteratureBA Hons

Build on your interest of English language and literature and prepare yourself for a successful career on this BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Literature degree.

You'll discover how we use language in literature and digital communication, examine forensic linguistics and learn how people use the English language across the world. You’ll also study literature from classics to the contemporary and become an expert in reading, analysing and discussing the written works that inspire you.

Your studies will set you up for a career where your communication, creative, management and critical thinking skills will shine. You could work in areas such as publishing, teaching, advertising and marketing after the course or do postgraduate study.

To do this degree, you need to apply for the BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics course. This is because it's a 'pathway' degree.

You’ll study English Language and Linguistics in depth and add Literature as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3. You’ll graduate with a BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Literature degree when you finish the course.

These are the entry requirements for the BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics course.

What can you do with an English Language and Linguistics degree?

After the course, you can use the communication and professional skills you've learnt across various roles in the private and public sectors. Fields you could work in include:

• advertising
• education
• communication
• media
• marketing
• publishing
• technical writing
• teaching English

You could also go on to do postgraduate study in areas such as speech therapy, marketing and communication.

Work experience and career planning

To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course. We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and build your CV.

We'll also be available to help, advise and support you for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option. This means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you do alongside your study.

Placement year

After your second year, you can do an optional paid work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience.

Previous students have secured placements at organisations such as:

• 7 Stars – a media company in London
• Jet – an English teaching programme in Japan
• the British Council
• local schools

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

How you're assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

• examinations
• essays
• reports
• case studies
• book reviews
• written work
• projects

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

• lectures
• seminars
• online activities

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 11 hours a week.

The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Tuition fees (2023 start)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Tuition fees (2024 start)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £18,100 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

You need to choose BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics when you apply for this course, because this is a ‘pathway’ course. This is where you study English Language and Linguistics in depth and add Literature as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3. You’ll then graduate with a BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Literature degree when you complete the course. 

If you change your mind after you apply, you can choose not to study Literature in years 2 and 3. You’ll then graduate with a BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics degree when you complete the course. 

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.