BA (Hons) English

Summary 2012/13

• Join one of the UK's most respected departments which prides itself on its dynamic and modern programme, awarded a 90% overall satisfaction rating in the 2010 National Student Survey - placing us within the top third of English courses nationally;
• Develop a firm grounding in English Language and Literature, and choose from an impressive array of specialist modules;
• Develop written and oral fluency, both prized by potential employers; we encourage you to develop these skills and broaden your horizons and explore new possibilities.

This well-established English course will give you a firm grounding in English language and literature. You will be able to develop your communication skills, independent thinking and self-expression and will be stimulated and educated by a dynamic and modern programme that takes into account the latest scholarship and research.

2012 Entry Requirements

280 UCAS tariff points overall. A level English preferred.

BA (Hons) Drama and English: Performing Arts or a related subject at grade C at A level or equivalent preferred. The selection process normally includes an audition workshop.

BA (Hons) English and History: Preferably to include A level History.

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is for anyone with a passion for literature and language, who wants to be challenged and to extend their knowledge and broaden their horizons.

What will I gain from this programme?

Modules will develop your specialist and key skills, stimulate and educate, and give you an excellent basis for a variety of career options or for further study.

What will I study?

In Year 1 you will study modules in both language and literature. In Years 2 and 3, you can choose which modules to study and whether you wish to concentrate on language or literature.

In Literature modules, your studies will range between the study of period surveys introducing you to core texts and approaches - covering the Renaissance, the 'long' eighteenth century, Victorian literature, and the literature of the Modernist period, and modules reflecting particular staff interests and research specialisms. The latter include feminism and women's writing, Gothic literature, science fiction and the fantastic, masculinities, postcolonial literature, satire, vampire fictions, crime fiction, 'minor' or non-canonical writers and works, special authors such as Byron and Shakespeare, contemporary linguistically innovative poetry, the short story and American literature. A creative writing option is also available.

In Language modules, you cover major aspects of English language: its structure, sound system and variation and social issues such as the implications of accent and dialect. You will study various aspects of the history of the English language and English grammar, but can also choose modules addressing particular issues in language study, such as language and world development, bilingualism, communicating sexuality, forensic linguistics and computers and English language research. Vocational modules such as Language and Education and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) are also available.

How will I study?

Teaching and learning is by lectures and seminars, workshops, group activities and independent research projects. In addition, you will make use of our on-line virtual learning environment. We have tutors and personal tutors on hand to provide support when it is needed.

Who will be teaching me?

Our department is large with well qualified tutors who are recognised experts in their field. You will be carefully guided, no matter what area of English you decide to study. When you choose an option module, your tutor will be an active specialist in this area, producing and publishing current research. Edge Hill also hosts various subject associations, such as the North West Short Story Network and the North Gothic Network, a regional network of the International Gothic Association (IGA).

How will I be assessed?

Assessment involves a mixture of coursework and formal tests or examinations. Emphasis is placed on work produced in your own time or formally presented in class. You can expect to be assessed with critical essays, short analyses, oral presentations and group work. In your final year you may choose to write a dissertation on a language or literature topic which interests you. As you progress through the degree and gain confidence, you will have opportunities to undertake more specialised and ambitious projects, with support from an expert supervisor.

What are my career prospects?

You will graduate well placed for a career in areas such as teaching (further training required), speech therapy, library work, media, journalism, arts administration, publishing, public and voluntary sectors, and managerial work. The degree also provides an excellent foundation for further academic study.

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities, more than 1,000 rooms in halls of residence and fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.ac.uk.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £9,000 for full-time BA, BSc and LLB degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only. International students should check the fees and finance information at www.edgehill.ac.uk/internationalfees2012.

Not got the entry requirements?

Students returning to education may present their previous experience in work (paid or unpaid) to support their application.

Students with relevant study through either a professional body or appropriate academic course can apply to join the programme at an advanced stage.

For personalised advice based on your circumstances, please contact us or come to an event.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leaders about this course, please contact:

• Deborah Chirrey (English Language), Department of English and History, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657131
• Email: chirreyd@edgehill.ac.uk

or

• Dr Steve van Hagen (English Literature), Department of English and History, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 584228
• Email: hagens@edgehill.ac.uk

Overseas students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.

Combinations

Joint

• BA (Hons) Creative Writing and English (WQ93)
• BA (Hons) Drama and English (QW34)
• BA (Hons) English and Film Studies (WQ63)
• BA (Hons) English and History (QV31)
• BA (Hons) English and Media (PQ33)

Combined

• BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing (Q3W8)
• BA (Hons) English with Film Studies (QW36)
• BA (Hons) English with History (Q3V1)

Modules

The number of modules taken in each year depends on whether you are taking the subject as a Single, Major, Joint or Minor route.

English Language Year 1 Modules

• The Structure of English
• Studying English Language
• Sound and Style in English
• Variation in English
• Describing Discourse

English Literature Year 1 Modules

• Practical Criticism
• Critical Reading
• Introduction to Literary Periods and Genres 1
• Introduction to Literary Periods and Genres 2
• Beyond Books 1
• Beyond Books 2

English Language Year 2 Modules

• LNG2100 History & Development of English
• LNG2101 Approaches to Sociolinguistic Variation
• LNG2102 Language of Shakespeare and His Time
• LNG2103 Child Language Acquisition
• LNG2104 Analysing Discourse
• LNG2105 Early English
• LNG2106 Phonetics & Phonology
• LNG2107 Modern English Structure and Usage
• LNG2108 Regional Varieties
• LNG2109 Computers and Language Research
• LNG2110 Words
• LNG 2114 Intercultural Communication

English Literature Year 2 Modules

• The Renaissance 1
• The Renaissance 2
• The Long Eighteenth Century 1
• The Long Eighteenth Century 2
• Special Author Module
• Satire in the Long Eighteenth Century
• Texts in Motion 1
• Texts in Motion 2
• Writing the Female Body
• Writing the Supernatural
• The South-East Asian Novel
• Anger and After: Post-War British Drama
• The Beat Generation
• First-World War Poetry
• Crime and Criminality in Nineteenth-Century Literature
• Vampire Fictions
• Trans-Gothic
• Contested Masculinities
• Imaginary Homelands
• Creative Writing

English Language Year 3 Modules

• LNG3100 Language and Education
• LNG3101 Language and Gender
• LNG3102 Language and Word Development
• LNG3003 Communicating Sexuality
• LNG3104 English in Contact
• LNG3105 Bilingualism
• LNG3106 Literary Stylistics
• LNG3107 Linguistic Ethnography
• LNG3108 TESOL
• LNG3109 Forensic Linguistics
• LNG3110 Beyond English
• LNG3111 Language and Identity
• LNG3112 Language, Nation and Conflict in Europe
• LNG3113 Language Dissertation

English Literature Year 3 Modules

• Victorian Literature 1
• Victorian Literature 2
• Modernism 1
• Modernism 2
• Special Author Module
• British Writers and the French Revolution
• Life Writing in the Long Eighteenth Century
• British Telefantasy
• Science Fiction
• Sexuality and Subversion
• Postmodern Literature
• The Shakespeare Problem
• Late-Victorian / Fin-de-Siecle Gothic
• Gothic Romanticism
• The Short Story
• Imperialism and Textuality
• Literature and Belief
• Creative Writing
• Literature Dissertation