Interested in the art and science of communication?
Ready to reveal what linguistic research can uncover about societies, past and present? Eager to gain invaluable skills useful for a wide range of careers?
With a strong focus on your employability, our English Language degree gets you thinking in a sophisticated way about how language can be interpreted and used to understand human behaviour, psychology, and society.
Language and communication is an integral part of our everyday lives. This course opens windows onto the rich variety of linguistics study, from animal communication and theories of politeness to the evolution of English across the globe. Throughout, we emphasize that mastering the study of language can open many doors for you into the world of work.
Why choose Northumbria to study English Language?
Research Power: English at Northumbria is ranked 21st for research power in the UK, out of 92 institutions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 5 places since 2014.
Student Rated: 100% of students studying English Language at Northumbria believed their course challenged them to achieve their best work and enabled them to develop knowledge and skills needed for their future. Students also felt free to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs (NSS, 2024).
How does Northumbria’s English Language course help with employability?
While the course itself is strongly focused on the development of employability skills, there are also topics and pathways which are designed to set you up for your dream role.
Our first-year linguistics students work on a project with an innovative marketing firm, learning how linguistics unlocks understanding and communication in this major industry. Some students take a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) pathway, graduating with the award ‘BA English Language Studies with TESOL’, potentially giving you an advantage when it comes to finding ELT (English Language Teaching) jobs.
Our graduates demonstrate success in a wide range of industries such as law, marketing, education, publishing, healthcare, and television, working in companies like the BBC and Cambridge University Press, or even the Palace of Westminster.
Northumbria’s English Language learning experience
We emphasize your own voice shaping research and ideas in the world of language and linguistics, from day one. And while those transferrable skills are vital for the marketplace, we also give you specific experience applying language to future jobs in marketing, teaching, and other careers.
You’ll be working with staff whose research brings the study of language to life in real-world settings, from hospitals and classrooms to police investigations.
Students will also have the option to extend their studies, either taking a placement year in industry or opting to study abroad in the likes of mainland Europe or North America.