English Language (Joint Honours) BA (Hons) at De Montfort University

English is a global language that’s rich in history. In this course you will immerse yourself in the form, culture and analysis of the English language and learn to make the connections between what you study at university and what takes place in the world beyond the classroom. Combining your studies with another related subject will broaden your outlook and skillset and open up even more career opportunities.

We live in a modern world governed and connected by technology. So alongside understanding the history of English and how it’s become an international language, we believe you should study the nature of the 'wired' environment and how it influences who you are. As part of our approach to digital humanities, you will have the opportunity to see how communication and language operate on web-based platforms, and how the application of digital tools and methods can deepen the knowledge of your chosen subject area.  

Your first year will introduce you to the study of language in general, how sounds become words, and how words are put together to create meaning. You will develop your ability to analyse and deconstruct language and, through your study, you will also learn how to put it together in such a way to create clear, effective and influential communication.  Later in the programme  we offer a module in teaching English, a final-year work placement module and the opportunity to study material such as propaganda and interrogation, pragmatics (looking at the gap between what we say and what we mean), psycholinguistics and the political, social, and cultural roles of language.  

At DMU, you can study English Language and Journalism or Media as a joint honours course. You will choose 50 per cent of your options from English Language and 50 per cent from either Journalism or Media. 

Key features

• With a wide range of highly specialised modules, you can study and the theories and practice of English language in detail and tailor your learning to your specific interests and career ambitions. Modules you can choose from include Sociolinguistics, English Language in UK Schools, Textual Studies Using Computers and Language, Mind and Culture. 

• Broaden your knowledge across different subject areas and increase your career opportunities by combining English Language studies with either Journalism or Media as part of this joint honours course.

• Develop specialist skills and become an excellent communicator by studying the impact language can have in various contexts and the many different ways language is used.

• Visiting lecturers have included world-renowned expert of forensic linguistics Dr John Olsson, while organised trips have seen students visit professional events such as the London Language Show. 

• Gain an even wider understanding of the English language through our international experience programme DMU Global. Students have previously explored ekphrastic writing and themes of oppression in Berlin and visited media organisation TED’s headquarters and key literary locations in New York. 

• Gain additional skills and experience of the workplace by putting your research, reasoning and communication skills into practice on a placement or extracurricular internship during your degree.