BA (Honours) in English Language
Open University
Key Information
Campus location
Online United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
3 - 6 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 6,924 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* cost per year full-time; £3,462 - cost per year part-time
Introduction
This degree explores human communication by focusing on the English language, its history, diversity and flexibility. You’ll learn what distinguishes machine language from human language and how people adapt and change their ways of communicating in multilingual and multicultural contexts. You’ll investigate how language works from written texts and conversations down to words and the smallest units of sounds, through words, conversations and written texts. You’ll also explore English as a creative medium to express humour, thoughts and emotions. It’s not, however, designed to teach English to speakers of other languages.
Key features of the course
- Explores the history of English, its contemporary diversity, its role as a global language and its use in various parts of the world.
- Engages in debates surrounding the historical and contemporary position of English in relation to other languages.
- Teaches strategies that promote critical evaluation of texts in relation to the social, artistic and cultural contexts they’re produced in.
- Develops you as a competent communicator: able to synthesize information, assemble logical arguments and write coherently.
- Reveals how the English language works, and how the choice of words and grammar affect the message.
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) English Language uses a variety of study materials and may have the following elements:
- A mixture of printed and online material.
- Online learning resources may include, for example, websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes.
- Group work with other students.
- Language analysis.
- External/third party material online.
Program Outcome
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding.
- Cognitive skills.
- Practical and professional skills.
- Key skills.
The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Curriculum
Course details
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits:
- You’ll start Stage 1 with a 60-credit English language module, followed by two 30-credit modules from English language and modern languages.
- Next, in Stage 2, you'll study another 60-credit English language module and choose a 60-credit module from modern languages, English literature and creative writing.
- Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study a further two 60-credit English modules from a choice of three.