English Language

Course summary

It’s a very different course to GCSE. You’ll develop the ability to analyze any kind of text, from the most recent to those from many centuries ago. You’ll explore how babies learn to speak and how children learn to read and write. You’ll look at the way factors such as gender, class, age, accent and dialect affect the way we see the world and the way the world sees us. For coursework, you’ll write two texts of your own, on any topic. By studying English Language you can apply for any English or linguistics-based degree. Students also apply for journalism, creative writing, marketing and teaching using their English A-level as a starting point. English Language is also an essential starting point for degrees in speech and language therapy. Our students go on to careers in teaching, politics, publishing, HR, journalism, business and advertising. But we also have former students of the department who are doctors, dentists, and vets!