Bachelor's degree

In Birmingham

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Birmingham

  • Duration

    3 Years

Facilities

Location

Start date

Birmingham (West Midlands)
See map
Aston Triangle, B4 7ET

Start date

On request

About this course

Specific subject requirements: GCSE: English Grade C, Maths Grade C

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Course programme

Course outline

Taught within our School of Languages and Social Sciences, this course combines the study of English Language and Sociology.

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.

Strengths of our Sociology programme include its focus on key contemporary social issues, social policy and decision making and international comparisons of social structures and policies. You will also benefit from teaching staff who are active researchers in fields such as ethnic and gender inequalities, work organisation, educational policy, global change, new technology and employment, risk and the environment, and theories of social change.

There is a fully integrated Year Abroad 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 4 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.

Recent placements include:

  • Eurocity (Recruitment Agency) in Brussels
  • Language assistant in Spain
  • BRMB Radio Station - Charity Coordinator
  • Voluntary Work in Tanzania
  • People and Planet (Charity group)
  • Teaching assistant in Japan
  • Teaching English in Thailand
  • Birmingham Youth Offenders Service (Birmingham City Council)
  • West Midlands Police
  • NFU Mutual Services
  • Hertfordshire City Council - project management
  • Hayes (recruitment consultancy)
  • Behaviour support service
  • Independent Property Group in Dubai

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. For example, our 1999-2005 Sociology Graduates found employment/study in a wide range of areas:

  • NHS - Management Trainees

  • Warwickshire County Council, Nestlé, Deloitte and Touche - Graduate Trainees

  • Focus Housing Group - Housing Manager

  • PhD Research - Sociology and Social Sciences

  • BP - Procurement

  • English Heritage - Finance Officer

  • Police Constable

  • Marketing Assistants (variety of companies)

  • IBM - Financial Analyst

  • MandS - Human Resources Management

  • PGCE - Primary/Secondary/College Teaching for teaching careers

Potential careers for English graduates include: publishing, linguistic computing, journalism, law, the Civil Service, the media (including advertising, marketing and public relations) and information technology (including library work), as well as teaching (at home or abroad).

The fact that Aston is distinctive in offering a placement year for our Sociology and English students gives them a particular edge and our students are encouraged to take up the opportunity of this valuable experience. 82% of our Sociology Graduates went into employment in 2005-6, against a UK average of around 70% for the subject.

Sociology and English Language

Price on request