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Learn how language influences and creates social change. You'll study how language works, where it comes from, how we learn it and how we teach it and understand why people say what they say, in the way that they say it. This degree starts in September 2023.
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above
Or Access 23-45 with min 6D
Or T-level Pass (C or above on the core)
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above.
UCAS points 96
UCAS code X391
UCAS institution code P63
Duration 3 years full-time and part-time options available
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above - English Language and/or Psychology A-level are helpful but not essential
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above
Or Access 23-45 D/M with min 6D
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above
Applicants with other qualifications and/or experience will be considered on an individual basis
UCAS points 96
UCAS code B621
UCAS institution code P63
Duration 3 years full-time or up to 6 years part-time
Communication is at the heart of everything we do as humans. Studying English language and communication delves into topics from advertising to autism, from body language to bilingualism, from creativity to cognition, from diversity to disorders, from English past to English present, from form to function and so on. This fascinating and practical degree covers the science of language and linguistics, the psychology of language and even some aspects of speech and language disorders in children and adults, to help you understand what happens and how people can be helped.
At the practical level, you’ll learn how to describe language in terms of linguistic structure, sound systems and communication theory. You will analyse what people say and the way they say it, in conversation, politics, media and advertising. If you want to learn about language, human beings and the way they interact, this degree is perfect for you!
Focus on how language can be used to change or improve people’s experiences
Placement opportunities to give you confidence in the work environment
Includes elective and shared modules from across the university
Varied placements including with schools, businesses or refugees
Apply theory to real life environments
Small class sizes enable you to get involved
“ Your first year is spent describing language and speech and is very ‘hands on’ with many practical sessions. You also start learning about how human communication works; what the pitfalls are and how people talk in various professional environments like medicine, education and business. In your second year you build on this knowledge to learn in-depth about language in the mind, in social life and across the world. You’ll have an amazing opportunity to put those skills into practice in a work placement that you can choose for yourself, or do a project on something that really grabs you! Your third year questions might include; what are the ‘rules’ of conversation? How do children and adults learn language? How and why might language disorders occur? Why are some things people say considered rude? Why do people battle illness, say cheer up, and talk about floods of migrants?”
Please note: optional modules have been marked by an *
How do people persuade and influence others using language?
How can we describe language and what does language tell us about being human?
How is language used to include and exclude people and groups?
How do we teach language and can we fix it when it goes ‘wrong’?
How does language change through the life stages?
How is language used to persuade?
“My job is exciting, fast paced and creative. I hold various responsibilities and feel trusted and valued, I create the newsletter, coordinate the PR and create marketing materials. Gaining work experience while studying is my main advice, as this also helped me to prepare for work. Marjon has so much to offer students in this area. Going to university allowed me to grow my skills and mature, I felt self-assured going into the workplace with my degree behind me.”
Harriet is now Digital Marketing Communications Executive at Healthxchange.
"What I enjoyed most about the course was the small teaching groups. It meant that you were able to ask questions easily, and discuss aspects with other people, without feeling intimidated by a large group. I also really enjoyed writing my dissertation. I loved that we were able to work on it throughout the academic year, enabling ideas to develop and improve, with the help of very supportive lecturers and tutors."
Beth is now studying PGCE Primary Education.
"My experience at Marjon included a caring, holistic learning experience, studying in a friendly, inclusive environment and the lecturers passion for linguistic study. My continuing interest in sociolinguistics led me to go on to achieve an MA in Modern English Language and I will soon be commencing PhD study.
Karen is now a PhD student at Lancaster University.
You will excel in careers where strong communication is crucial. You might move into teaching, counselling or language therapy or teaching English in another country. You'll have the skills to go into careers such as advertising, management and publishing that need good language and good communication skills. Many other graduates work freelance or are employed as proof readers, translators or technical writers. There is also a growing need for work on ‘plain English’ documentation.
Includes lectures, small seminars, one to one and group tutorials and lots of practical workshops and placement opportunities.
We have a range of assessments that look at the theory of language and communication in a huge variety of social and individual contexts. Other assessments are highly practical working with the real language data, which you can collect yourself based on your interests.
Steve has taught English in Poland, Qatar and Japan. His PhD from Lancaster University was in usage-based linguistics and he is principle investigator for a project on migrants’ healthcare and ‘fitting in’ experiences. He is interested in how people do things with words.
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,500 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreSally is a dual trained phonetician and speech and language therapist with a clinical specialism in developmental speech disorders. She teaches clinical linguistics and phonetics, psycholinguistics and developmental speech and language disorders.
Hazel is a chartered member and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a senior fellow of the HEA. She teaches psychology, mental health and wellbeing and neuropsychology. Her research focuses on identity, student engagement and hidden disabilities.
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