English Language and Public Policy & Management

Course outline

Our Public Policy and Management programme will help develop your understanding of a wide range of contemporary public and voluntary sector policy and management issues as well as the organisations responsible for delivering policy.

It will also enable you to develop skills and knowledge relevant to careers involving partnerships between the public, private and voluntary sectors. You will investigate the economic, social and political forces which influence public policy and give rise to conflicts between the achievement of economic, environmental and social objectives. You will also focus on the relationship between the public, private and voluntary sectors. Considerable emphasis is also given to understanding public policy implications for urban and rural life.

English Language at Aston is an innovative programme which aims to provide you with a theoretical knowledge and understanding of the English language, how it works in society and its role in the world today. It will also help you to develop your own communication and writing skills to high levels.

There is a fully integrated Placement Year with extensive preparation and support offered by our dedicated international placements team.

Learning, teaching & assessment

You will be involved in lectures and seminars, small-group work, project work and independent study. There are opportunities for group and collaborative work. Students undertake a major piece of independent research in final year.

You will be allocated a personal tutor who can provide you with help and advice.

Assessment is through a combination of exams, coursework, essays, presentations and an extended dissertation during your final year.

Placement year

By taking a four year sandwich programme you will have the opportunity to undertake a year’s professional experience in the private or public sector in your third year of study. You will gain invaluable experience which will set you apart from other graduates and you are normally able to earn a salary.

You will be given support and advice on finding a placement. Many employers return each year to employ our placement students.

Career prospects

Our Graduates are in demand from a wide range of employers where a sound understanding of societies, organisations, team work and communication skills are required. Our Public Policy Graduates enter a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors as well as Postgraduate research (PhD etc).

For example, our recent Graduates are employed in a variety of areas including:

• Sainsbury's, Abbey, Dixon's Stores - Graduate Trainees

• NHS - Graduate Management: numerous Graduates

• PricewaterhouseCoopers - Trainee Chartered Accountants

• South West Trains - Recruitment Manager

• London Borough of Bexley - Policy and Planning Officer

• Marks and Spencer - Finance and Commercial Managers

• Vauxhall - Business Analyst

• Scottish Power - Graduate Trainee

• Birmingham City Council - Organisational Development Officer

• PhD Research in Public Sector Management, Sociology and Society

The fact that Aston is distinctive in offering a placement year for our English Language and Public Policy & Management students gives them a particular edge and our students are encouraged to take up the opportunity of this valuable experience.

Personal development

This course helps you to develop team working skills, presentation and communication skills. Your IT skills will also benefit from use of our newly refurbished e-learning language centre.

The Placement Year will develop your initiative, confidence and independence, as well as giving you invaluable professional experience. In your final year you complete an individual research dissertation which improves your independent research skills and report writing skills.

All students are encouraged to undertake Personal Development Planning (PDP.)