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English Language and Linguistics with Intercalated Year (BA) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)

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UCAS Code
Q311

Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Duration
3 or 4 years full-time, depending on year abroad/work placements

Start Date
27 September 2021

Department of Study
Applied Linguistics

Location of Study
University of Warwick


Applied Linguistics at Warwick offers a unique approach to the study of language: we apply linguistic knowledge and theory to solve real-world problems. You will build an interdisciplinary foundation from leading research in language and communication. Then you will apply your learning to explore, challenge, understand, and address problems and find meaningful solutions. You will be constantly fascinated by the linguistic world around you, and you will be empowered to use language to improve your world.


Course overview

This course engages you in the systematic study of language with a specific focus on English. You’ll learn to analyse the structure of English, and the ways people use English to structure the world. You’ll explore the evolution of English from a set of dialects on an island to a global lingua franca, and examine ways that Englishes continue to change today. You’ll learn more generally about how language is formed, acquired, learned, and used. You’ll develop an extensive set of qualitative and quantitative research skills, and practise oral and written communication intensively. You will be eminently employable in careers ranging from journalism, media, publishing and marketing to teaching English internationally, and may pursue further study toward fields like speech pathology or speech recognition.


Course Structure

Year One: 120 CATS is core.

Year Two: 105 CATS is core and 15 CATS is optional.

Year Three: 45 CATS is core and 75 CATS is optional.

You will be automatically enrolled on the four-year course, which includes an optional intercalated year in the third year. During the intercalated year, you may pursue a study abroad programme or a work placement (subject to you meeting departmental academic requirements). If you do not wish to have an intercalated year, you can move to the three-year course.


How will I learn?

You will study six to seven modules per year. Most modules are comprised of a weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour small-group seminar, for three hours of weekly contact time with each tutor. You will spend independent study time preparing for classes, reading primary texts, and completing practical exercises. Practical exercises emphasise student-led research projects. Additional online materials are available and there will be various events and activities to further enhance your learning. Your personal tutor will provide additional learning and pastoral support throughout your degree.


Contact Hours

12 hours per week.


Class size

Lectures vary depending on the module. Seminars are typically around 15 students.


How will I be assessed?

Assessment will normally take the form of 50% coursework and 50% examination. The final degree classification is determined by your second and final year marks, and each contributes 50%.


Study abroad

If you wish to spend a year abroad (which we thoroughly recommend), this will take place in your third year, meaning that you will complete your degree in four years instead of three. All students have the opportunity to apply for an intercalated year abroad at one of our partner universities. The Student Mobility Team based in the International Student Office offers support for these activities, and the Department’s dedicated Study Abroad Co-ordinator can provide more specific information and assistance.

Students who elect not to complete the year abroad, or who do not academically qualify for it, may complete the course without a year abroad.


Work Experience

You may decide to make use of the optional intercalated third year by organising a work placement. The University Careers Office can advise on potential work placement opportunities; however, it will be entirely your responsibility to find and apply for a work placement.

General entry requirements

A level:

  • AAB

IB:

  • 36

BTEC:

  • We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside two A levels. Students taking BTECs alongside one A level will be considered on an individual basis

Additional requirements:

You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.


International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.


Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).


Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.


Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.


Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Year One

Linguistics: Understanding Language

What is language? What is it made of? What rules do we follow when we put sounds together to create words and when we combine words to create sentences? How many languages are spoken in the world today, and in which ways are they similar or different? These are some of the questions that you will explore on this module. Using examples from different languages, you will analyse real-life language data in order to develop the practical skills required for linguistic analysis.

Language in Society

In this module, you will learn to unpack the ways in which language shapes and is shaped by society. You will analyse critically how language operates in different linguistic and cultural settings, using a range of theoretical concepts, empirical research and methodologies to understand, describe and interpret language use in society. This includes an investigative study of language use, during which you will also develop your communication and study skills.

Describing English Language

In this module, you will learn about the structure of the English language and critically reflect on the nature of its grammatical ‘rules’, using relevant terminology. By the end of the course, you will be able to apply this descriptive framework to any text in English and understand the effect of grammatical choices on different styles of writing.

The History and Spread of English

The English language is an international phenomenon, with the number of speakers learning it as an additional language outnumbering those who acquire it as their first. On this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of its historical and global complexity. You will learn about its roots and how it has developed, and gain an enhanced awareness of current issues related to its worldwide spread and influence on other languages.

First Language Acquisition

Learning a language is an amazing feat, but one that children seem to manage to do without much effort. In this module, you will learn how this happens. You will develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, terms, theories and research evidence related to the acquisition of language in children. You will also study relevant research methods so that you can perform an analysis of child language.

Research, Academic and Professional Skills

Providing a foundation for modules ET214 (Qualitative Research) and ET215 (Quantitative Research Methods), this module will help you develop the research, academic and professional skills needed to succeed at university and beyond. You will explore research, data-collection and analytical methodologies, using real-life examples of language, culture and communication. You will develop an analytical toolkit to serve you in multiple contexts, including your future career. You will also become familiar with research conventions, including ethical approval, literature review, communication and critical understanding of academic writing.


Year Two

Linguistics: Acquisition and Use

What do the world’s languages have in common and how are they different? Why do languages change? How is language acquired? Does language influence how we think? Drawing on concepts introduced in ET118 (Linguistics: Understanding Language), you will acquire core knowledge and skills in all fields of language study, including more advanced study of phonetics, and the phonological and morpho-syntactic features of a wide range of the world’s languages and dialects. You’ll explore methodologies from a range of linguistic disciplines to document, study and analyse real-world language data. You’ll also be introduced to research in subfields of linguistics, such as second language acquisition and language change.

Sociolinguistics

Why do we speak differently in different situations? Can you identify the features of a Geordie and a Scouse accent? Do men and women speak differently, and if so, why? These are questions you will explore as we examine the relationship between language use and social context. Building on module ET119 (Language in Society), you will develop a greater understanding of linguistic variation. With the opportunity to conduct your own research study, you can expect to complete your course armed with a set of theories, insights and skills to enable you to address such questions, and to explore your own questions about the role of language in society.

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Approaches to Analysing Discourse

On this module, you will learn to analyse written and spoken texts in detail. You will become familiar with a wide range of frameworks for discourse analysis and learn to apply these techniques to different forms of language data. With a strong understanding of various theories, you will gain a sound analytical understanding of the ways in which society influences discourse and vice versa, and be able to make the case for your views in open debate.

Language Teaching Methodologies

On this module, you will study the principles, research and current issues underlying the teaching of English as an additional language. You will learn to evaluate teaching materials and to develop your own tasks for teaching the English language. This will give you a very good practical and theoretical foundation for your teaching career, either in the UK or abroad.


Year Three

Quantitative Research Methods

Building on the foundations in ET120 Research, Academic and Professional Skills, you will progress to developing your research skills through deeper insights into the generic principles of planning, collecting and analysing quantitative data. In addition to weekly engagement with real-life problem-solving tasks, you will be a member of a group project conducting empirical research. You will appreciate the purpose and application of different quantitative research designs and their relevance in applied contexts, such as organisational analysis and consulting. At the end of the module, you will be able to critically review quantitative data and understand its power as well as its limitations, and also demonstrate the skills needed to generate, analyse and interpret such data in the workplace.

Dissertation

Do you have a topic or question about Language, Culture and Communication or English Language and Linguistics that you would like to explore in depth? By the time you get to the third year you are likely to have a lot of potential areas of interest. For the dissertation module you get the opportunity to develop a project around one of these interests and, with the support of a supervisor, conduct research and write it up! As well as developing content knowledge in an area of interest to you, the dissertation will help you enhance your research, critical and creative thinking, time management and academic writing skills. The dissertation module also provides excellent training if you are interested in undertaking postgraduate study beyond the BA.


Examples of optional modules/options for current students:

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding


Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.


Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

Your career

Graduates from these courses are working in global PR, consultancy, multinational companies, higher education, and studying in masters and doctoral programmes.


Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Linguistics Careers
  • CV Workshop
  • Interview preparation
  • Making the most of your time at Warwick and securing work experience opportunities
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

Tom, current student

"Throughout every year of the course I've been made very aware of opportunities to engage in research and projects related to and also outside of my degree. I set up a Linguistics-based society organising talks and careers events, conducted two funded research projects working with PhD students and academic professionals, and presented my findings at a prestigious conference. I'm now working on publishing my first paper too."

Tom

BA Language, Culture and Communication

This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.