About the course
Explore English language, linguistics and literature on a flexible course that allows you to follow your own interests in the field. There is also the option to study for the TEFLi, opening up a career teaching English in language schools across the UK and worldwide.
This degree will interest students who are fascinated by English, from discovering key linguistic frameworks to exploring exciting forms of literature and experimenting with creative writing. It is also flexible, allowing you to design a course that best fits your strengths, learning style and particular area of interest, choosing from a wide range of units and four specific pathways: TESOL; teacher training; legal (incorporating forensic linguistics); and clinical (such as speech and language therapy).
In your first year, you are introduced to the core skills you need for the degree: an introduction to ways of reading prose, poetry and drama as well as key concepts in linguistics and phonetics. In your second and third years, you build on these core skills while also choosing from a range of optional units that will really capture your imagination.
Why choose this course?
- Develop your subject knowledge as well as your skills in analysis, critical thinking and communication, creating a portfolio of work and a skill-set that will help you begin your graduate career
- Benefit from being taught by enthusiastic, highly experienced subject specialists who are nationally recognised for their research, at a University with roots in teacher training going back to 1882
- You have the option to study for the TEFLi, an important qualification should you wish to teach English in language schools across the UK and worldwide
- Employability skills are embedded throughout the course and, in your third year, you take a work experience unit which allows you to develop as a professional in your preferred field
- Learn research methods in your second year which will prepare you for your dissertation in the third year
Course Leader - Dr Nicola Darwood
I graduated with a PhD in English Literature in 2007 and I’ve been working at the University of Bedfordshire since 2009, teaching across all years of undergraduate and postgraduate study and supervise research degrees. I teach on a range of units, introducing students to literary theory, poetry, prose and plays from the medieval period to the twenty-first century, through to more specialist units such as Modern Irish Literature. I’m also the course coordinator for the undergraduate English provision, and really enjoy working with students as they make their transition into higher education, and helping them to achieve their full potential during their time at the university.
My own field of research focuses on women writers of the twentieth century and the literature of Bedfordshire, and I’ve published work on Elizabeth Bowen, Stella Benson and Nancy Spain. I’m also the co-editor for a journal dedicated to the work of Elizabeth Bowen. I’m currently working on an edited collection of essays on women writers of the interwar period, and the University’s Literary Bedfordshire project which brings to life writers who have lived or worked in Bedfordshire.
Units
- Approaching Literature (ENG006-1) Compulsory
- Describing Language (ENG008-1) Compulsory
- How Talk Works (ENG007-1) Compulsory
- How Texts Work (ENG009-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Linguistics And Phonetics (ENG010-1) Compulsory
- The Play'S The Thing (ENG019-2) Optional
- English Sentence Structure (ENG022-2) Compulsory
- Investigating The Social World (EDC021-2) Compulsory
- Creative Writing (ENG006-2) Optional
- Discourse And Ideology (ENG008-2) Optional
- Exploring Language (ENG024-2) Optional
- Language Teaching, Learning And Assessment (ENG021-2) Optional
- Style And Stylistics (ENG020-2) Optional
- Telling Tales: Early Modern Literature (ENG013-2) Optional
- The Meaning Of Meaning (ENG025-2) Optional
- The Sounds Of English (ENG023-2) Optional
- Dissertation (EDC207-3) Compulsory
- Language, Literacy And Cognition (ENG026-3) Compulsory
- Professional Workplace (ENG025-3) Compulsory
- Children'S And Young Adult Fiction (ENG007-3) Optional
- Forensic Linguistics (ENG024-3) Optional
- Modernist Literary Practices (ENG018-3) Optional
- Psycholinguistics - Language And The Brain (ENG027-3) Optional
- Tesol Teaching Practice (ENG020-3) Optional
- World Literature: Crossing Borders (ENG022-3) Optional
The course takes an incremental and varied approach to the assessment of the course content, culminating in the Dissertation (a substantial piece of original research whose precise focus is determined by each student, according to their anticipated career plans). Here, the ability to plan, execute and evaluate linguistic data and/or literary sources (both primary and secondary sources) is assessed and represents the apex of a student's undergraduate studies. Other assignments include essays, oral presentations, close readings, reviews, research proposals, a range of phase tests and seen and unseen exams. As you progress from Level 4 to Level 5 to Level 6, it is expected your response to assessment tasks will become more sophisticated as your skills and subject knowledge develop. The level of study is reflected in the level of response required by assessment criteria.
Why study in the School of Education and English?
- Broad spectrum of opportunities to study language and linguistics
- 92% satisfaction with English Language and TEFL, NSS 2020
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
How will this course improve my career prospects?
Upon graduation, possible career pathways include teaching English as a second language; teaching in a primary or secondary school setting; speech and language therapy; forensic linguistics; research; public relations; librarianship; arts administration; journalism; and publishing. (Some careers require further qualifications)
You can also progress to one of our Master’s degrees in English Literature, Applied Linguistics (TESOL) or Master’s by Research, all of which expand your career opportunities or enable you to study for a doctorate.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
Campus Library
The Bedford Campus Library set over four storeys offers students access to our extensive range of physical and digital resources with 300,000+ books & 80,000+ ebooks.
PCs are provided on each level for students to use offering access to a wide range of applications as well as access to group-work areas and presentation-practice rooms and a dedicated silent study floor.
BedsSU - The Hub
The Hub is home to BedsSU providing a great space for socialising with friends, catching up on some coursework or taking a well-deserved break.
The Hub is the place to go to take a break from your studies, play table tennis, socialise and watch live sport on the big screen.By night the venue becomes the place to be, with a variety of student events such as pub quizzes, live music and various themed club nights. Evening food includes delicious freshly made pizzas as well as a range of other beverages and snacks.
Bedford Gym
The Aspire Gyms offer a range of affordable membership options giving students exclusive use of a convenient campus-based fitness facility.
The Bedford gym facilitates state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smartphone compatibility as well as an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area. Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Dance Studios
At the centre of our campus is four fully sprung dance studios equipped with ballet barres, mirrored walls, audio playback and projection for our dance and performing arts students.
Our two campus theatres also provide the ideal performance space for students with regular events held that are open audiences of students, staff and the wider community.
Campus Theatres
Set within the Campus Centre is a 260 seat professional theatre on the ground floor with industry-standard lighting, media desk, roll-down screen, full backstage comms system and large dressing rooms with en suite showers. On the first floor there's also a well-equipped 80 seat studio theatre.
Our theatres welcome new and existing audiences to see a range of student work including contemporary dance, theatre and performing arts; holding regular events that are open to students, staff and the wider community.
Sports Science Labs
Our specialist sports science labs give students a fantastic environment to develop their research skills and expertise, where a student can explore the biology of an elite athlete who could be performing simultaneously within the sports hall.
The state-of-the-art laboratories are purpose built for research and teaching in the fields of exercise and nutrition science. This includes specialised equipment and facilities for assessing human health risk and delivering exercise and diet interventions for health promotion.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
