With BA English Language and Linguistics, understand how language is at the heart of human life and its study is crucial to our understanding of ourselves as members of society, as individuals and as a species.
If you are interested in understanding how language works and is applied to different situations, then this course will appeal to you. You will analyse language, its use in different social contexts and settings, online and offline, how it is acquired and used by children and adults, how it is taught, its role in politics and the increasingly globalised world. Our diverse and interdisciplinary portfolio of modules will enable you to explore theories of language in the contemporary world and learn how to apply this knowledge to your future career. We offer a friendly and supportive environment in which you will be able to design a course geared towards your own interests and career objectives.
On this degree course you will develop your knowledge of grammar, phonetics and discourse analysis in order to become a highly skilled user and analyst of the English language. In the third year, you will have the opportunity to carry out your own project for your dissertation or a professional communication project, with one-to-one support from your supervisor. Throughout our programme you will understand how the subject is directly relevant to the workplace and to a range of key issues in contemporary society such as politics, migration, gender and sexuality. 96% of our students say that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2020).
Our Department has been a leader in the field for 50 years. We have a long-established tradition in applied linguistics, with research in topics such as language and gender, language and the mind, language and digital media, and language and migration.
Placement opportunities
As part of your degree, you will be given the opportunity to take a work placement module, focusing either on media or education. Final year students may also opt for a professional communication project, in which they work in groups to plan and implement a project for a company or organisation.
Longer placements are also available in the form of a year-long module, including a workplace-oriented project in your third year in lieu of writing a dissertation. And, as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme, you have the chance to work with staff members on their research projects.
Semester or Year Abroad
If you are interested in gaining an international dimension to your degree, then there is also the chance to study abroad for a semester or a full academic year, at universities in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada and Australia.
For more information, please visit the English Language and Applied Linguistics website.
Overview
If you are interested in understanding how language works and is applied to different situations, then this course will appeal to you. You will analyse language, its use in different social contexts and settings, online and offline, how it is acquired and used by children and adults, how it is taught, its role in politics and the increasingly globalised world. Our diverse and interdisciplinary portfolio of modules will enable you to explore theories of language in the contemporary world and learn how to apply this knowledge to your future career. We offer a friendly and supportive environment in which you will be able to design a course geared towards your own interests and career objectives.
On this degree course you will develop your knowledge of grammar, phonetics and discourse analysis in order to become a highly skilled user and analyst of the English language. In the third year, you will have the opportunity to carry out your own project for your dissertation or a professional communication project, with one-to-one support from your supervisor. Throughout our programme you will understand how the subject is directly relevant to the workplace and to a range of key issues in contemporary society such as politics, migration, gender and sexuality. 96% of our students say that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2020).
Our Department has been a leader in the field for 50 years. We have a long-established tradition in applied linguistics, with research in topics such as language and gender, language and the mind, language and digital media, and language and migration.
Placement opportunities
As part of your degree, you will be given the opportunity to take a work placement module, focusing either on media or education. Final year students may also opt for a professional communication project, in which they work in groups to plan and implement a project for a company or organisation.
Longer placements are also available in the form of a year-long module, including a workplace-oriented project in your third year in lieu of writing a dissertation. And, as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme, you have the chance to work with staff members on their research projects.
Semester or Year Abroad
If you are interested in gaining an international dimension to your degree, then there is also the chance to study abroad for a semester or a full academic year, at universities in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada and Australia.
For more information, please visit the English Language and Applied Linguistics website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we will guarantee you a place if you achieve one grade lower than the published offer.
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
LS1ELS | English Language and Society | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
LS1SG | Sounds, Grammar & Meaning | PROF Jane Setter |
LS1TAL | Techniques and Skills for Applied Linguistics | DR Natalia Kampakli |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO1FRE | Freedom | DR Rob Jubb |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
EN1CW | Introduction to Creative Writing | DR Conor Carville |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC118 | Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World | PROF Ken Dark |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | DR Aleks Pluskowski |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | DR Yiorgos Gadanakis |
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MS Sandra Preciado |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
LW1SOC | Law & Society | MRS Amanda Millmore |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | DR Federico Faloppa |
ML1GEC | Greats of European Cinema | PROF Julia Waters |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
LS2DAN | Discourse Analysis | DR Diana Ben-Aaron |
LS2EG | English Grammar | DR Natalia Kampakli |
LS2EP | English Phonology | PROF Jane Setter |
LS2SLG | Sociolinguistics | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EN2CRI | Critical Issues | DR Madeleine Davies |
LS2LAM | Language and the Mind | DR Fraibet Aveledo |
LS2ANS | Analysing Speech | PROF Jane Setter |
LS2LAG | Language and Gender | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
LS2LLE | Literature, Language and Education | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2TSA | Term Study Abroad | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
GM2LWF | The World of Words: Lexicology and Word Formation | DR Melani Schroeter |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
LS3LPC | Language in Professional Communication | DR Sylvia Jaworska |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PL3ISL | Introduction to Speech and Language Pathology | DR Arpita Bose |
PL3ML | Multilingualism and Impairment Across the Lifespan | PROF Ludovica Serratrice |
LS3LMG | Language and Migration | DR Tony Capstick |
LS3LST | Teaching the Language Skills | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
LS3IB | Issues in Bilingualism | DR Fraibet Aveledo |
LS3DCL | Child Language Development | DR Fraibet Aveledo |
LS3DI | Dissertation | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
LS3EIW | English in the World | PROF Jane Setter |
LS3CBL | Corpus-based approaches to language description | DR Diana Ben-Aaron |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £17,320 per year
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Flexible courses (price per 10 credit module)
UK/Republic of Ireland students: £750
International students: £1275
Careers
By studying for a degree in English Language you will gain skills relevant to a wide range of careers. 100% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course [1].
Our graduate career destinations include teaching (both in the UK and abroad), speech and language therapy, publishing, event coordination, journalism, speech writing, the Civil Service, the media (including advertising, marketing and public relations) and information technology. You may also wish to pursue postgraduate study in a related area.
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree and other undergraduate responders from English Language & Applied Linguistics.
I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed all my time studying English, mainly due to all the great staff in the Department, who would often go above and beyond the call of duty to help their students. I would recommend the Reading English Language Department to anyone wishing to pursue higher education in linguistics - where students really are given the best chance to achieve great things.
Related Courses
-
BA English Language and Literature Q301
Full Time: 3 Years -
BA French Studies and English Language QR31
Full Time: 4 Years -
BA German Studies and English Language QR3F
Full Time: 4 Years -
BA Italian Studies and English Language QR3H
Full Time: 4 Years -
BA Spanish Studies and English Language QR34
Full Time: 4 Years