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BA (Hons) English Language and Media

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Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: Q1P7
Institute code: H36
Study abroad option
Work placement option
Find out more

Entry requirements

UCAS points A Level BTEC IB
112-120 BBC-BBB DMM-DDM 112-120

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics
Access course tariff: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3.
All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.
Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

UCAS points A Level BTEC Access Course Tariff IB Requirement
112 - 120 BBC - BBB DMM - DDM An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3 112 - 120 points

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.
Find out more about International Entry Requirements.
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UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	IB
112-120	BBC-BBB	DMM-DDM	112-120

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Access Course Tariff	IB Requirement
112 - 120	BBC - BBB	DMM - DDM	An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3	112 - 120 points

Why choose this course?

no. 13 in the UK for English (2023 Guardian League Table)
Connect language and communication with modern media
Giving you up to date media skills and a great speaker programme

Ever wondered why animals can’t talk but humans can? And how the words we use affect the message we are trying to send? This joint course provides the answer to both these questions and more. You’ll explore the foundations of human communication, the psychology behind language and how people act differently in different situations.

You’ll do this alongside studying one of the top twenty institutions in the country for media, journalism and PR. In your media course, you’ll learn about how to craft media messages, how to write for a variety of different platforms from news sites to scripting videos and you’ll develop a whole range of media related skills ranging from digital to broadcast, alongside studying media research.

How does how you write impact on the message you send and how can you learn the ways that different forms of media operate and what it takes to join this exciting industry? By choosing both subjects as a combination, you’ll learn about both subjects and how they overlap.

English Language

You’ll learn from lecturers who specialise in a wide variety of linguistic disciplines. This includes psycholinguistics, bilingualism, and language and gender. They’ll share their expert insight in the study of sound (phonetics) and speech production. The building blocks that make up human communication. Together, you’ll analyse real life data, transcripts and texts to understand the way we see the world. You’ll even observe how our brain processes language using our digital eye tracking suite. You’ll see where people look when reading text and orally communicating with each other.

Many of the modules you do are optional. Specialise in the areas you like most. You could take modules in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Or use this chance to explore how language is used to solve crimes in forensic linguistics.

Another new and exciting field is sociolinguistics. You’ll get to explore how people use language differently depending on the context they are in. Is there a difference between male and female language use? Learn about how people make judgements on people’s personalities based solely on their accents and dialects.

Media

Our media course blends practical skills and theory with a strong emphasis on media internationally, particularly as we have partners in Malaysia and Egypt to contribute their views. You’ll gain and overview of media theory and practice in the first year, alongside studying basic journalism to give some practical skills, both examining UK and international trends.

You’ll benefit from studying near the vibrant media scene in London. You’ll only be a bus ride away from the Warner Bros and Harry Potter Studios in Watford, too. For the days you don’t feel like venturing too far from campus, you’ll be able to use our very own television, radio and media studios. This will give you the chance to practise real-world skills in a safe and constructive environment.

Many of your lecturers are practising journalists, producers, and contributors to national and international media so you’ll benefit from their expertise and gain experience across a range of platforms as well as understanding the context in which media operates now.

Are you interested in film, music, food, or travel? You can choose to create magazine layouts for publications and ezines. You will have the opportunity to create your own brand You’ll combine PR, marketing, and media skills to make you even more employable.

What's the course about?

In your first year, you’ll learn the foundations of language. You’ll study phonetics, syntax and the building blocks that make up language. You’ll have a variety of modules to select from. You could choose to explore societal dialects, language in humans and even language in animals. For Media, you’ll explore Global Media and Society looking at who owns the news. Explore the influence of the BBC and commercial entities, such as Sky and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. You’ll debate current issues with your peers, such as propaganda, moral panics and fake news.

In your second year, you can take modules in English language teaching, psycholinguistics, forensic linguistics and more. How do children learn language? In media you’ll learn key research methods. You’ll practise conducting interviews, run focus groups and pitch the outcomes to different clients. You’ll explore radio journalism and the journalistic stories that changed history such as the black lives matter campaign and historic Watergate as well as having the chance to study video making and mobile media design.

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s fine too. You’ll decide in your second year with us, so there is still plenty of time to think about this.

In your third year, you can choose more modules in sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and clinical linguistics. Learn how language is processed in the brain. Look at child language and communication, language disorders and brain injury, meaning and context and more. In media, you’ll get the chance to work with a client on a project or design a website or learn more about PR.

For a full list of modules, see the section under ‘What will I study?’

Your main campus is de Havilland 

You’ll share this campus with students from business, law, sport, education, and humanities subjects. The student housing is close to our Sports Village which includes a gym, swimming pool and climbing wall. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner in our on-campus restaurant or bar (in the newly built Enterprise Hub) on days you don’t feel like cooking. You can also use the common room to play pool, video games or just to hang out with friends.  Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.  

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.  

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Introduction to Media Communications	15 Credits	Compulsory
The aim of this module is to provide an insight to the various fields of media practice and communication studies. It will also introduce students to some of the key theories used in understanding media cultures. Students will learn about different economic and political structures that underlay the UK media system and engage with some of the conceptual frameworks for understanding media communications. The module is structured in three parts. In the first sessions, students are introduced to the basics of media communications. The sessions might cover topics such as the different types of media and models of communications. The second part – Audiences, Industry and Politics – takes a closer look at Media Effects and Audiences, News Values, media biases as well as industry structures. The final part will enable student to explore some of the key theorists that have written on media, for example Marshall McLuhan and Stuart Hall.
Communication, Interaction, Context	15 Credits	Compulsory
The focus of this module is on language in inter-action . It sets out to maximise awareness of the factors at play when we communicate with others. Language is used to do things in communicative situations and we look at several theories that seek to explain how this is achieved, e.g. Grice s (1989) Theory of Cooperation and Politeness Theory (Brown and Levinson 1987). We also explore how we understand what someone is saying to us when much of the language we use is ambiguous, implied or figurative. Communication involves more than a code, and we explore the role of context, the knowledge we bring to conversations and the importance of Theory of Mind in understanding what someone says to us. The first part of the module will be concerned with face-to-face communication, but in the second part, we will focus on computer mediated communication including communication through social media.
Global Media and Society	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module considers the relationship between the media and their social context. Throughout the module students will discuss the ways in which the media reflect and shape social attitudes and challenge their own assumptions about society and the media. Through discussions of issues such as class, race and gender this module will consider how different groups are represented in mediated images. The module will also examine the public role of the media and students will be asked to think analytically and critically about concepts such as free press, media impartiality or bias, and the relationship of the media with commercial and political institutions. The module further analyses different Global media systems, organisations and institutions and allows students to make a series of comparisons between local and international media systems. It places an emphasis on the relationships between products and the socio-political construction of their different audiences.
Investigating Language	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will give students on the English Language and Linguistics Programme the opportunity to develop a variety of skills necessary to be successful in their chosen modules and to thrive in a university environment. You will develop your skills of academic reading, writing, researching, analysing and communicating with others. The learning sessions are designed to foster a sense of community within the student cohort and, at the same time, develop each individual s communication skills whether that be when working in small groups or when giving oral presentations
Introduction to English Linguistics 1	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces you to the fundamentals of English Linguistics. We will explore the origins of modern linguistics as a discipline and discuss core concepts of linguistic analysis, including, but not limited to, phonemes, morphemes and parts of speech. In this module you will be provided with the basic knowledge pertaining to different properties of language and how these are described, theorised and investigated. This module is taught in workshops and will give you ample opportunities to engage in hands-on practical tasks that will hone your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of linguistics and equip you with the analytical skills so that you are able to apply them in different contexts across other modules in your studies of the subject of English Language and Linguistics.
Introduction to English Linguistics 2	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces you to the fundamentals of English Linguistics and builds on 4HUM1150. We will discuss different approaches to grammatical and syntactical analysis and how meaning is theorised, constructed and analysed both on a lexical and text level. We will also explore language change, revisiting and expanding on some of the concepts introduced in 4HUM1150. Finally, we will explore how the fundamental concepts of linguistics are used in one or more areas of applied linguistics. The workshops for this module will provide you with ample opportunities to put your newly gained knowledge into practice by applying it in various tasks.
Sound and Image Storytelling	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module covers development of both audio and video projects and is designed for students of all levels of experience. In the first half of the module students will create audio content in the form of a podcast (or similar) and will discuss how to use sound for telling stories. In the second half students will learn how to record and edit a short video stories to be distributed online. Students and lecturers will discuss a range of audio and video topics and consider how each communicates. This module provides students with computing and communication skills, which will form a basis for future study in Media and Journalism. The module content includes- 1. -production of an audio project using audio editing software; 2. -production of a video project using video editing software; 3. -consideration of ways audio and video can be used to convey ideas; 4. -planning of audio and video projects;
Visual Communication	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides students with computing and communication skills which will form a basis for future study in Media. Students will create attractive, eye-catching projects using images, text and other visuals for online delivery. The module is appropriate for students with little computing or design experience but it also provides those with prior knowledge with the opportunity of enhancing and extending that knowledge. The module content includes- 1. -the production of a number of images using a graphics package; 2. -the consideration of design issues; 3. -the consideration of the way in which images convey ideas; 4. -the restrictions and potential of using images and other graphics on the web; 5. -the planning and conceptual development of a graphics project
Language and Mind	15 Credits	Optional
The aim of this module is to enable you to gain an insight into the relation between language and mind. We start with a characterisation of communication systems and with a discussion in what ways human language differs from animal communication. In the light of studies that have tried to teach language to chimpanzees we further explore the question whether the ability for grammar is unique in humans. We then look at particular brain structures that are important for language functions and what happens when these structures are affected by a stroke. We will also look at the question whether language influences the way we think. Children s acquisition of language and cases of language deprivation are other topics on this module. The notion of a critical period in language acquisition will be applied to first and second language acquisition and we will conclude with a discussion of different approaches to language learning.
Language in the Media	15 Credits	Optional
In this module, you will develop a range of skills which will enable them to undertake the linguistic analysis of media taken from various sources, including new media sources such as digital media, social media/ online identity, multimodal communication, mobile communication; as well as other media genres such as films, T.V shows and music. You will develop the ability to approach the language in the media critically to understand the importance and powerful effect of the media in our society.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Sounds of English	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will offer you the chance to study the sounds of English at two levels: the surface level (phonetics) and the underlying mental level (phonology). We will start by looking at the physiological apparatus involved with the production of speech before examining in more detail how individual speech sounds are made (articulatory phonetics). We will then turn to the organisation of speech sounds at the underlying mental level. Here we will identify the distinct 'sound concepts' of English and explore the various ways they each may be realised phonetically. We will then move on to analysing syllables and stress. The module offers you an important descriptive tool for further language study as well as essential knowledge for careers in areas such as speech and language therapy. This module is a prerequisite for study of English Language and Communication at level 3.
Graduate Skills	0 Credits	Compulsory
You will be offered a variety of employment enhancing workshops and online activities such as interview skills workshops, personality profiling and career planning in order to improve your employment prospects after graduation and make you aware of current areas of strength and weakness in relation to employability. You will also have the opportunity to learn about self-employment options, graduate schemes and will attend speaker sessions with successful professionals in areas of employment appropriate for Humanities graduates so you can learn about the skills and attributes required for these areas and how to enhance your prospects of entering such areas. You will be required to undertake a certain number of activities chosen by you from a career "menu" and to reflect on what they have learnt in order to complete the module successfully.
Research Methods in Media Communications	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module teaches the basic principles of research in media and the means by which to devise research questions and select appropriate methodologies. It will also give a detailed account of how to structure and write effective and informative research report. Students will be introduced to a range of different methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative. They will learn how to choose a research topic, conduct a literature review, and develop an appropriate research plan. The module covers all key aspects of media and communication, including analysis of media production, media texts, and audience studies. It further offers specific guidance and instruction on a systematic application of a range of research methods, and addresses methods of sampling and data collection, including interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions, as well as approaches to online research.
The Publishing Industry	15 Credits	Compulsory
The Publishing Industry aims to provide students with an insight into the structures, challenges and opportunities that are present in today's publishing industries, from entertainment magazines and books to the world of academic publishing. The module complements the other media modules by looking at this significant media industry. Moreover, it enables students to understand the international dimension of publishers operating on a global scale, learn how to develop promotional strategies in order to market publications and explore the criteria and issues related to making editorial decisions. Students will be able to engage with both the theoretical concepts and the practical aspects of the various sectors of the publishing industry.
English Grammar	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module you will look at what grammar is and what it isn't. You will learn how to identify the different word categories of English and how these word categories are put together into phrases to form sentences in English, as well as what grammatical functions these different phrases have in a sentence. You'll also learn how you can recognise different sentence types and how to analyse the structure of complex sentences and different sentence types. This will give you the toolkit you need to study English Language & Linguistics modules at level 6.
Learning and Teaching Language 2	15 Credits	Optional
This module is the second of two that look in some depth at issues in the learning and teaching of language, with special reference to English. In this module, more emphasis is laid on teaching. The module takes a broadly historical approach to language learning and teaching. The starting-off point will be a resume of the state of EFL as a result of the professionalization of teaching at the end of the C19 and the effects of the Reform Movement. Thereafter there will be examination of such trends and approaches as the grammar / translation 'method', behaviourism, the audio-lingual approach, the communicative approach, the Natural Approach and the Lexical Approach. Connections will be made in each case with the key concepts discussed in the preceding module. A final session looks at classroom generated research and at what teachers can hope to learn from it.
Language and Species	15 Credits	Optional
Research into the evolution of human communication has been controversial. Shortly after the publication of Darwin's masterpiece in 1859, the topic was banned by the London Philological Society. Recent advances in genetics, anthropology and cognitive science, however, have together resulted in renewed interest and more rigorous investigation and the birth of a new field. Evolutionary Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field which draw s upon linguistics, evolutionary theory, biology, anthropology, primatology and psychology in order to answer three key questions: Why do we communicate? When did language evolve? What are the origins of language? In this module, students are first introduced to the basics of evolutionary theory before focusing on the questions raised above. Additional questions addressed include: How do other species communicate? Could Neanderthals speak? Can chimpanzees lie?
Language in Society	15 Credits	Optional
Sociolinguistics is the study of language in society. This module will introduce you to the major issues in sociolinguistics. We will start by addressing the relation between language and society and the nature of variation. We will address varieties of language use at the level of the group and the individual and explore three kinds of lectal variation: regional, social and functional. We will consider how and why users vary their language according to different social settings as well as the social pressures that cause language change. Further topics to be studied include accents and dialects, language and ethnicity and language and gender. This module should appeal to anyone interested in the way language is used to signal identity and negotiate society.
Forensic Linguistics	15 Credits	Optional
In this module we will be concerned with real examples of language use in legal contexts. Specifically, the module will first give an introduction to discourse analysis and then apply the methods of discourse analysis to Forensic Linguistics, the application of linguistics in order to understand conversation in legal contexts and establish authorship, authenticity and veracity in forensic texts. The talk and texts we will analyse will be taken from court proceedings, police interviews, witness statements, confessions, emergency calls, hate mail and suicide letters
Video Feature	15 Credits	Optional
An important aspect of digital convergence is the use of video by media outlets to spark public dialogue and generate reader participation. This module is designed to give students understanding and skills to make effective videos. Students will look at current practitioners such as Mike Kepka at the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Times 'Op-Docs' group and the MIT Open Documentary Lab. They will also examine the work of more traditional documentary makers, such as Errol Morris, Kim Longinotto and Nick Broomfield. There is, according to media artist Marilyn Freeman, "a digital storm that won't let up--of cat videos and self-surveillance videos and any thing or moment imaginably filmable". To stand out from the crowd, students must develop media literacy and skills in critical reflection. As there is an art of storytelling, students will be guided towards a clear understanding of the art of digital storytelling.
New Media Branding	15 Credits	Optional
This module is designed to give you knowledge of branding and identity from the perspective of New Media Publishing. Through the use of vector graphics and layout software you will learn to produce a collection of professional documents such as CVs and business cards which have a consistent identity across a number of media platforms. You will also learn about professional branding used by companies and produce their own style guides which apply basic design principles such as consistency, repetition, alignment and position to logos, text and other visual design elements. The module content includes- 1. -the production of brand designs using vector graphics; 2. -the consideration of design issues relating to consistency, repetition, alignment and position; 3. -the consideration of how visual identities are created and understood; 4. -the planning and conceptual development of professional visual identities;
Learning and Teaching Language 1	15 Credits	Optional
This module is the first of two that look in some depth at issues in the learning and teaching of language, with special reference to English. In this module, more emphasis is laid on theories of second language development and the learner, while greater emphasis is placed on the teaching of a second language in the second module. The module examines both naturalistic methods of learning and classroom learning, discussing the impact of and typical outcomes for the learner in each condition. It considers the work of contemporary theorists, and examines factors such as the role of the L1, the different aspects of L2 knowledge and the interplay of variables that contribute to successful second language development.
Vocabulary	15 Credits	Optional
In this module you will investigate different aspects of English vocabulary. In particular, we will look in detail at different ways in which words are defined, how they are formed, what they mean, and how they change over time. In addition, we will look at the use of corpora in the study of word meaning and word collocations by accessing different corpora via Sketch Engine. The module will also look at the way dictionaries are assembled, with special reference for example to the Oxford English Dictionary or the Collins Co-Build.
Toolkit for Linguistic Research	15 Credits	Optional
This module provides you with a broad overview of various research skills using software, and the theoretical and empirical issues involved in carrying out research using each type. We will focus on certain software tools used to store, code, and analyse language data, for example NVivo; Sketch Engine, CHILDES, Superlab and Eye-tracking Software. You are introduced to current research strategies used in English Language and will develop the IT skills required in order to code and analyse pre-existing, naturalistic, experimental and questionnaire data. Data archives and computer-based analysis programs as well as psycholinguistic experiments are explored. The module will prepare you for the kinds of work you will undertake at level 6, as well as for conducting a long or short project.
Employability Skills	15 Credits	Optional
Producing graduates who are highly employable is a key aim of the University of Hertfordshire. This module aims to help you bridge gaps between your specialist academic studies and the world of graduate employment. As well as allowing you to reflect on and further develop your employability skills we will explore the changing nature of employers' needs. Using case studies, we will consider a range of issues (legal, gender, equality) that can arise in recruitment and the workplace. The module will also focus on career planning and job searching, as well as recruitment and selection processes including the work of assessment centres and pyschometric testing. Overall the intention is that you will be able to develop your job-market awareness and identify and explore potential career pathways. The module is worth 15 credits and may be chosen in place of a 15-credit subject module at Level 5, or as an additional module at Level 6, alongside 120 credits of modules in your subject(s).
Mobile Media Design	15 Credits	Optional
At the end of this course you will be able to research, plan, and design mock-ups of apps for mobile devices using current software. You will be able to explore the contextual relationship between apps and mobile responsive websites. During the course you will complete market and competitor research for enterprising projects, and develop an understanding of (a) current practice and (b) the user experience through the creation of visual planning for your app. Working as part of a small team, you will conceptualise and develop your own app for pitching to a potential investor.
Magazine Design	15 Credits	Optional
There is more to magazine design than learning a software package. As well as giving hands-on systematic software training, this module unfolds various aspects of design for the page, including the use of typography, colour and images. The module builds your confidence in the design process through presenting a clear understanding of layout and visual conventions, information design and contemporary visual style. You will undertake thorough analysis and evaluation of a range of examples. They are equipped to make sound aesthetic judgements in printed and electronic material. Assessments are real-life publishing projects which engage students in a problem-solving process, building experience essential for professional work. By the end of the module students will have developed a portfolio which they can show to a prospective employer.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Year Abroad	0 Credits	Compulsory
A Study Abroad year is an optional additional year that increases the length of the Honours degree award to a four-year full-time degree. The additional year comprises an agreed programme of study in a partner institution abroad with whom the University of Hertfordshire has an institutional agreement. The programme of study will support, supplement and extend the more usual three-year programme. Success in the third year will be recognised in the title of the award, but does not carry additional credit towards the Honours programme. A student would normally confirm the intention to study abroad during the first ten weeks of study at Level 5. This will enable a place to be negotiated at a host institution and the Study Programme and learning contract to be arranged and agreed.
Placement with Study Abroad	0 Credits	Compulsory
Students on this unique module will have the opportunity to undertake both a semester at a partner university and to undertake a semester of placement, thus both improving their cultural awareness and employability. Students who have been on the Placement Year and Study Abroad Year, both normally undertaken after level 5 and before entering the final year, have reported high levels of satisfaction with both and many have said the Placement or Study Abroad year was one of the highlights of their university career. The Placement Year is offered by only a handful of universities offering Humanities subjects, so this module is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore both aspects of Study Abroad and Placement both here and abroad.
Child Language & Communication	15 Credits	Optional
This module provides a detailed investigation of how children acquire their first language and the theories that seek to explain the process. We will look at child language from the pre-linguistic stage through to the acquisition of words, morpho-syntax and inflections. You will also explore the relation between language and cognitive development, as well as the acquisition of communication skills. These topics will be considered for both monolingual and bilingual children.
Clinical Linguistics	15 Credits	Optional
This module examines the effects of developmental and acquired disorders of language and/or communication on the acquisition and use of language. Different kinds of linguistic disorders are presented in an attempt to explore the nature of language and communication. Topics include, for example, the study of phonological disability, stuttering, grammatical impairment, semantic/pragmatic disorders, hearing impairment, Downs Syndrome and autism. The module also looks at other language modalities, such as British Sign Language and addresses issues concerned with the assessment of comprehension and production and the use of computer programs and databases in language analysis.
Language & Communication Project	30 Credits	Optional
In this module you undertake an individual project on a topic of your choice. The project is the opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to use many of the skills developed over your previous studies, and to take those skills to a higher plane.
Language Processing	15 Credits	Optional
Learning outcomes will be achieved through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and directed tasks. The module introduces you to the theories and methodologies of psycholinguistics relating to language processing. You will consider psycholinguistic models of the mental lexicon and of language production and comprehension. You will be taught how to critically examine this work, looking not just at the results but how they were obtained - the underlying assumptions, what counts as evidence. You will assess the contribution that linguistics can make. You will also collect and analyse relevant data, commenting on difficulties encountered. The module will distinguish five ways of approaching the mental lexicon: how lexical information is acquired, how it is stored, how it is accessed in production, how it is accessed in comprehension, and how it is lost. The module will focus on questions of storage and access, but will make reference to acquisition and dissolution as appropriate. Students will be introduced to the modularity/connectionism debate; they will then explore the modularity model of the organization of the mental lexicon in some detail. Key models of lexical processing in word production and in word comprehension will be examined, and some conclusions drawn. Sentential processing will be considered, both from the point of view of production and of comprehension. Questions of serial/parallel, autonomous/interactive processing will be explored. In each case, production and comprehension, the strategy will be to see to what extent a serial, autonomous model can be maintained. Speech errors and hesitation phenomena will provide the main evidence for production, and lexical and syntactic ambiguities the main evidence for comprehension. The strengths and limitations of psycholinguistic modelling will be assessed
Language & Communication Short Project	15 Credits	Optional
You undertake an individual project on a topic of your choice. The project is the opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to use many of the skills developed over their previous studies.
Communication and Cultures	15 Credits	Optional
The module gives you an opportunity to bring to the surface some of your personal / social cultural assumptions and working beliefs, and to see how they map onto those of other cultures, with specific attention to a specified domain of each student's choice. In particular, you are encouraged to look at inter-cultural communication, in the forms of face-to-face conversation, interviews, group encounters, formal situations such as conferences, e-mail and other forms of written communication, in order to see how other cultures, and especially a culture of your own choosing, articulate, disguise, hide and express beliefs.
Meaning and Context	15 Credits	Optional
This module is concerned with meaning in language and communication. It introduces students to different types of meaning and different theoretical approaches to studying meaning in the philosophy of language and linguistics. A key issue will be the distinction between semantics and pragmatics, where the boundary between them lies, and the way in which the two realms interact in the communication of meaning.
Chunky Language: Investigating Formulaic Sequences	15 Credits	Optional
In this module you will find out what a formulaic sequence is, why they play such an important role in native speaker (L1) communication, and how and why they are stored in and retrieved from memory as a whole. We will look at different types of language data produced by children and adults, including, but not limited to, the British National Corpus, Aviation English, sports commentaries, sitcoms, cookbooks and weather reports. We will also discuss why second language (L2) learners rely heavily on these sequences during the early stages of second language development (SLD), only to then find that they are the "biggest stumbling block to sounding nativelike" (Wray 2002: ix) in later stages of SLD.
Gender in Language and Communication	15 Credits	Optional
We will begin the course with a study of the historical and theoretical background to the study of language and gender within the larger area of sociolinguistics. We will examine various theories that attempt to account for gendered differences in language, and look at the key pieces of research in this area. This will include a focus on the following: sexism in language; gender differences in pronunciation and grammar; sex and convert prestige, discourse features and turn taking, narratives and storytelling, and politeness. We will then move on to contemporary theories in the area that move beyond the binary distinction of men and women to how speakers can perform their gendered identity. This includes a focus on workplace discourse to examine how leadership and power are enacted within masculine and feminine workplaces. Recent changes in language and gender studies, such as the incorporation of the Community of Practice framework to analyse language use, will also be addressed.
Advertising	15 Credits	Optional
This module will look at advertising and the ways in which it attempts to construct desire for specific products. It will analyse the social function of adverts in relation to certain social categories such as gender, race and sexuality. Moreover, we will look at the placing of advertising in specific media and students will be asked to consider why adverts for certain types of products are placed in specific locations. This will include a consideration of market segmentation and TV scheduling. Students will then be encouraged to create their own advert based on a specific brief in order to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical way. Finally, this module will consider the relationship between advertising and other media forms, especially film and television as well as new media, to consider the degree to which advertising relies upon codes that are produced in other cultural products.
Corporate Communications	15 Credits	Optional
This module provides a detailed understanding of the principles, techniques and strategies that underpin corporate communications, with particular emphasis on Public Relations and brand management. It is designed to reflect the current awareness of, and the benefits that organisations can derive from, adopting an integrated approach to communications. This module adopts a strategic approach to the study of corporate communications and builds an understanding of the variations in consumer behaviour, and how communication strategies and programmes can be developed, organised and implemented. The course also addresses critical issues relating to recent developments in the field and includes a strong practical component that aims to equip students with the skills necessary for working in this field.
Web Design for Publishing	30 Credits	Optional
Students will begin the module by designing a simple website with hyperlinked pages. We will then move on to Dreamweaver for web editing, and using Photoshop as a method of preparing graphics for the web. You will be encouraged to choose real-life projects that can be used later as part of a CV portfolio and shown to prospective employers or admissions tutors. This module will develop and extend your understanding of web design by introducing you to a range of complex web design skills such as: designing for a specific target audience within the constraints of a client's brief. Throughout the course you will be required to reflect upon your practice and be self-critical in your approach.
Global Englishes	15 Credits	Optional
This module will focus on the global spread of the English language, which is no longer used only by native speakers but increasingly by speakers from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Despite these changes, the native speaker continues to dominate in English Language Teaching. This module will explore various issues in the spread of English, including: the influence of other languages on English; the rise, standardisation, ideology and ownership of English; varieties of English across the world (including 'New Englishes', English as a Lingua Franca, pidgins & creoles); attitudes towards varieties of English and the pedagogical implications of these issues for English Language Teaching in the context of Global Englishes.
Representation and Identity in Contemporary Media	15 Credits	Optional
Using different theories of political communication, you will examine the subject of media representation, mediatization and the politics of cultural identities in the twenty-first century. You will engage with key theories and concepts of representation and media framing to illuminate an understanding of identity as a political concept.
Corpus-based Studies in English Language	15 Credits	Optional
In this module you will learn how to use electronic databases (corpora) to address research questions in English Language & Communication. We will look at a range of different corpora (spoken, written, different genres and speakers) to see how they are adapted for research both qualitatively and quantitatively. We will explore areas of English Language (including word use, collocations, discourse, gender, language change, language teaching, translation), select suitable corpora for investigation and analyse the data output. In this module we will also address issues in the compilation of corpus data and the way corpus investigations can impact on theories of language.
Communication and Cultures	15 Credits	Optional
The module gives you an opportunity to bring to the surface some of your personal / social cultural assumptions and working beliefs, and to see how these relate to other cultures. You will develop your cultural sensitivity to diverse communication and cultural practices and patterns. In particular, you are encouraged to look at intercultural communication, in the forms of face-to-face conversation, interviews and online communication, in order to see how other cultures, and especially a culture of your own choosing, articulate, disguise, hide and express their beliefs.
Syntax	15 Credits	Optional
In 1958 Noam Chomsky published the book 'Syntactic Structures' which revolutionised the way in which we do Linguistics. In this module you will be introduced to a generative syntactic theory which has grown out of Chomsky's approach to Linguistics. You will learn what principles and mechanisms are proposed to account for the grammatically well-formed sentences of English and analyse the structure of sentences using this theory. We'll look at range of language puzzles and see how the theory attempts to explain these, for example why it is okay to say 'What did Mary claim that Peter did?' (cf. Mary claimed that Peter lied) but we can't say 'What did Mary make the claim that Peter did?' (cf. Mary made the claim that Peter lied), even though the sentences mean virtually the same thing and we can understand them both.
Professional Media Practice Project	30 Credits	Optional
This is an independent project designed to help you develop the skills needed for the professional world. You will produce a professional quality media package in response to a client brief or case study. The module is built around active learning and you will develop your design, self-management, production and communications skills which will be invaluable in your professional life. You will evaluate other media products to help formulate your ideas and will work to a schedule in the same way as a media professional.
Music, Celebrity and Media	15 Credits	Optional
This module closely looks at emergent forms of media, particularly the influence of digital technologies on traditional forms of media, such as film and journalism. We will critically analyse the impact of the digital revolution, from HDTV to virtual realities, from citizen journalism to Wikileaks and cyber-criminality, from music downloads to E-books. Using a range of critical theorists, we will discuss the challenges of these developments for old media as well as the creative opportunities new media forms provide.
Creating a PR Campaign	15 Credits	Optional
The module introduces you to a number of specialist fields within the communications industry and illustrates the value of specific communication skills across different sectors. During the module we will explore specialist areas, such as political PR, social campaigning, film marketing, non-broadcast filmmaking, sport, events and sponsorship. You will also learn how to deal with the press from a corporate point of view and how to create promotional material. The module further allows you to engage with the academic and practical content in a very hands-on manner and provides space for reflection on and critical engagement with the theories behind important transferable and subject specific skills, such as pitching ideas, presenting concepts and managing successful teams.
Web Design for Media Professionals	30 Credits	Optional
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding through a series of lectures, online presentations and problem solving exercises, gradually building their design skills within the framework of a redesign of a real web-based project. You will be encouraged to create a unique and refreshing alternative for an existing publication and your documentation and project planning will be guided by real-life examples. This module will develop and extend your understanding of visual and interactive communication skills and introduce you to a range of techniques for creating engaging publications for specific audiences. In the second part of this module students will move onto the development of their own project, working with a real life client or case study and a brief in order to create a unique and attractive new online publication. In this second project you will develop an understanding of how design frameworks enhance a wider range of commercial publications.

Study abroad

An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about Study abroad opportunities

Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.
Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about work placements
What if I need support?

You’ll get a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation.
You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we’ve got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions, and online tutorials. Both our LRCs (Learning Resource Centres) run drop-in study skills sessions. And the best thing is, it’s all free.

Alumni Stories

Kate Stephenson

Meet Kate Stephenson who has excelled in the publishing industry since graduating. She currently works as the Education Editor at National Geographic Kids magazine.

Read more stories Find out more about this course

Current job role	Education Editor
Year of graduation	2013
Course of study	BA (Hons) English Language and Communication with Journalism and Media Cultures

University experience

Kate always knew that she wanted to work in the media and her unique degree gave her the flexibility to understand the logistics behind magazines as well as develop her writing and communication skills. The variety of topics and modules covered in her course enabled her to understand a lot about her dream career and enable her to develop valuable skills for working in the industry.

While studying, Kate took every opportunity offered to her. Her lecturers gave her opportunities to network with their colleagues for the industry enabling Kate to secure work experience and explore different career opportunities upon graduation.

She also worked as part of the Students’ Union student media, called Triden Media, writing regularly for their newspaper and magazine. Kate says, ‘Take advantage of every opportunity while it’s on offer and dive in as much as possible.’

The future

In the future, Kate hopes to further develop and grow the project she is working on at National Geographic and their educational content. One of her recent projects was launching their Primary School resource service by writing the curriculum.

Alumni Stories

Alex Olney

Meet Alex Olney who has applied his skills in communication to the gaming industry. He is currently a Senior Video Producer at Nintendo Life.

Read more stories Find out more about this course

Current job role	Senior Video Producer
Year of graduation	2015
Course of study	BA(Hons) English Language and Communication

University experience

While not his first choice of university, Alex is grateful that he applied to the University of Hertfordshire through Clearing as whilst at the University he discovered and explored his passion for everything linguistic. This passion has had a profound impact on his life since graduating.

He says, ‘Studying a language gave me confidence and a deeper understanding of human and non-human communication and has allowed me to create a distinct idiolect that identifies me as a creator and, more importantly, entertains tens of thousands of people every day.’

He credits his success to the support he received from his lecturers who encouraged him throughout his studies: ‘The lecturers were not only well informed about the subject matter but had a genuine passion for language.’ He states that they pushed him to explore languages so much so that ‘it became a driving force in my everyday life.’

Alex also believes that the transferable skills he learnt while at the University have helped him throughout his professional life including time management. He states that he learnt effective time management skills to ensure that he never leaves projects and deadlines to the last minute and plans out in advance what is required.

The future

Alex really enjoys his current role at Nintendo Life as he likes the hands on nature of producing content but would eventually like to manage and become a head of the video editing department.

What's next for my career?

Employability is central to everything we do. Our graduates have an excellent record of securing roles in a range of industries including the media, publishing, teaching and information management.

Over the years many of our English Language graduates have gone into teaching or speech and language therapy, as well as translation, publishing, journalism, marketing, law and business. Many go on to higher levels of study, engaging in research in their chosen fields.

For those interested in teaching, all Humanities graduates are guaranteed an interview with the School of Education.

Employability is central to everything we do. Our graduates have an excellent record of securing roles in a range of industries including the media, publishing, teaching and information management.
Over the years many of our English Language graduates have gone into teaching or speech and language therapy, as well as translation, publishing, journalism, marketing, law and business. Many go on to higher levels of study, engaging in research in their chosen fields.
For those interested in teaching, all Humanities graduates are guaranteed an interview with the School of Education.
View our Alumni profiles

Kate Stephenson Alex Olney

Course fact sheets
BA (Hons) English Language	Download

Programme specifications
BA (Hons) English Language	Download
BA (Hons) English Language	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	Optional
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years Sandwich, 4 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Apply using the links below:

2023

Start Date	End Date	Link
23/09/2023	31/05/2024	Apply online (Full Time)
23/09/2023	31/05/2024	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
23/09/2023	31/05/2024	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time)
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

Fees and funding
Fees 2023
UK Students

Full time
- £9250 for the 2023/2024 academic year
EU Students

Full time
- £14750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
International Students

Full time
- £14750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

BA (Hons) English Language and Media

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: Q1P7

Institute code: H36

Study abroad option

Work placement option

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Exclusive content to help you through Clearing

Why choose this course?

English Language

Media

What's the course about?

Your main campus is de Havilland

What will I study?

Alumni Stories

Meet Kate Stephenson who has excelled in the publishing industry since graduating. She currently works as the Education Editor at National Geographic Kids magazine.

University experience

The future

Alumni Stories

Meet Alex Olney who has applied his skills in communication to the gaming industry. He is currently a Senior Video Producer at Nintendo Life.

University experience

The future

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2023

2024

Fees 2023

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation

Your main campus is de Havilland 