Modern Languages and English BA

Please note: You will take 120 credits of modules in each year of study. The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2020. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Every degree programme at the University is divided into 120 credits of study for each year of the programme. In the first year of a Joint Honours programme, you will study 60 credits in each subject as you learn the core elements of the disciplines. We recognise that students on Joint Honours programmes might come to favour one subject slightly more than another. To account for this, we have added more flexibility into the second and final years of our programmes. In the second year, you can stick with the 60-60 split between the two subjects or shift to a 80-40 credit weighting, effectively a major/ minor combination. You can either go back to 60-60 in the final year, maintain the same 80-40 split or reverse the major and the minor and go to a 40-80 weighting.

During your years of study you will take compulsory language modules depending on your language proficiency (Beginner or post A-Level). You will then choose amongst a wide range of optional modules depending on the number of credits you are taking in the language.

You can find out more about the available modules dependent on your credit weighting for your chosen language via the My Choices website. The modules listed may occasionally be subject to change.

Year 1 - English Literature pathway compulsory modules

• Poetry (20)
• Prose (20)
• Plays and Performance (10)
• Language for Literature (10)

Detailed descriptions of Year 1 English Literature compulsory modules

Year 1 - English Language pathway compulsory modules

• Investigating Language (20)
• Fundamentals of Language: Grammar and Discourse (20)
• Fundamentals of Language: Sounds and Words (20)

Detailed descriptions of Year 1 English Language compulsory modules

Year 2 - English Literature pathway compulsory modules

• 80 credits - two Histories of Literature modules; Shakespeare: Elizabethan and Jacobean and one Themes in Literature module
• 60 credits - two Histories of Literature modules and either Shakespeare: Elizabethan and Jacobean or one Themes in Literature module
• 40 credits - two Histories of Literature modules

Detailed descriptions of Year 2 English Literature modules

Year 2 - English Language pathway compulsory modules

• 80 credits - English Grammar; Professional Research Skills for Linguists and two English Language options
• 60 credits - Professional Research Skills for Linguists and two English Language options
• 40 credits - Two English Language options

Detailed descriptions of Year 2 English Language modules

You will also take your remaining English Language credits in optional modules

Year 3

The degree programme is four years in length, and you will spend your third year abroad working and/or studying in the country of your target language.

Final Year - English Literature pathway compulsory modules

• 80 credits - either Dissertation and two Special Subjects OR Extended Essay and three Special Subjects
• 60 credits - Extended Essay and two Special Subjects
• 40 credits - either Extended Essay and one Special Subject OR two Special Subjects

Detailed decriptions of Final Year English Literature modules

Final Year - English Language pathway compulsory modules

• 80 credits - either Dissertation and two English Language options OR Language Investigation and three English Language options
• 60 credits - Language Investigation and two English Language options
• 40 credits - Two English Language options

Detailed descriptions of Final Year English Language modules