English Language BA (Hons)

This module offers an exploration of English language, literature, and creative writing, taught through interdisciplinary lectures and subject-specific seminars.  You will explore the structure and grammar of the English language; engage with literary texts; and craft your own creative writing pieces. 

You will learn about the nature of storytelling, language, and creativity, exploring concepts such as authorship and narrative, style and genre and syntax and structure. 

The city of Chester, and its storied history, provides a perfect setting for considering how place influences language, literature, and creativity. Field trips, writing workshops, and input from experts in the field will enrich your learning experience, providing opportunities to connect academic skills with real-world applications. By the end of the module, you will have honed your knowledge of the structure of English, developed your writing expertise, deepened your appreciation of literature and place, and developed transferable skills in research, storytelling, and communication, preparing you for study at Level 5 and for potential careers in writing, teaching, heritage, and beyond.

Coursework may include detailed language analysis, critical readings of literary works, and creative projects/podcasts.

Writing – both other people’s writing and the writing you do yourself – will be central to your university degree and your future life, whether that is in your career, in further study, or in the lifelong love of learning we hope to inspire. ‘Writing for Your Life’ will help you develop key skills in effective reading, note-taking and time-management; cognitive skills such as critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and creativity; and enhanced communication skills such as the ability to listen carefully, write clearly and persuasively, and discuss confidently and with authority.

You will also explore different types and modes of writing, the intersections of language, literature and technology, and various platforms for disseminating your writing. The module will allow you to build relationships with others who share your love of English language, literature, and creative writing including your fellow students and tutors, allowing you to work successfully as part of a team as well as independently.

This module enables students with A-Level German or equivalent to further develop their grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations.You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

This module is designed for students that have completed A-Level or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

This module is designed for students that have completed a A-Level or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE in Chinese or equivalent. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

This module is designed for students that have completed GCSE or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

This module provides the opportunity to study a new language from scratch and introduces you to basic grammar, vocabulary and cultural contexts. You will apply the language to practical situations using both oral and written skills. 

This interdisciplinary module offers a comprehensive exploration of language from both psychological and social perspectives, blending the fields of psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics. You will examine the intricate relationships between language processing, cognition, and social context, gaining insights into how language is shaped by both individual mental processes and societal influences.

The exploration of psycholinguistics - a field of linguistics which explores how we store, process and understand language - will focus on language acquisition but other topics may include speech perception, language disorders, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying language use. You will engage with key theories on how the brain processes language, such as models of syntactic processing, lexical access, and discourse comprehension.

The study of sociolinguistics will include the role of language in social identity, power dynamics, and cultural norms. You will explore how language varies across different social groups, regions, and contexts, examining concepts such as code-switching (alternating between languages or dialects), linguistic discrimination, and the relationship between language and social class, ethnicity, and gender. The module will also address language change and the role of social networks in shaping language use over time.

By integrating these two perspectives, the module encourages you to critically analyse how cognitive processes in the mind interact with the social structures in which language operates. Through case studies, empirical research, and theoretical frameworks, you will develop an enhanced understanding of language as both a cognitive and social phenomenon. You will be encouraged to evaluate the theories explored in this module by analysing authentic samples of language acquisition data, and sociolinguistic data gathered from projects such as the Cestrian English Project.

This module explores the dynamic relationship between language, power, and popular culture. You will critically engage with the ways language as discourse shapes social hierarchies, political dynamics, and cultural identities. Drawing on critical discourse and sociolinguistic frameworks, the module investigates the relationships between language and identity and how this can both reinforce and challenge power structures in various contexts.

Key topics may include the role of language in perpetuating inequalities, as well as in mobilizing social change; language as a marker of cultural identity, for instance accent and dialect in song, and in TV and film representation; and language in persuasive  discourses such as political speeches and campaigns, advertising, protest song lyrics and charity appeals.

Through data analysis and critical readings, this module aims to provide you with an understanding of the ways in which language, power, and culture are deeply intertwined, shaping human experience in profound and often contentious ways. You will be encouraged to reflect on the ethical implications of language use in their own local, national and international contexts.

What Is The Module About?

This module explores the history and development of the English Language, English Literature and Creative Writing, examining key milestones in the evolution of the disciplines, from Old English to contemporary writing and linguistics. We will consider how English and its textual artefacts reflect and shape culture and society through the ages, and the dynamic processes of transmuting language into poetry, drama, fiction or non-fictional writing. By engaging with English across the centuries and sharing your different experiences as students of English Language, English Literature and Creative Writing, you will gain a deeper appreciation of its richness and versatility, while cultivating critical and creative skills relevant to your academic and professional futures.

How Will I Learn?

The timetabled sessions may include, for example: lectures, seminars, group-work, workshops, formative writing exercises, screenings, or field trips. Tutorials with course staff and/or academic skills tutors and guided or self-directed independent study will further develop your learning.

How Will I Be Assessed?

You will submit a 3,000-word portfolio, from a range of options which will allow you to focus on one of the three subject areas, or to respond to two or more subject areas, depending on your interests and pathway. Options may include, for example: stylistic analysis of texts; close reading; essays; creative pieces; presentations; podcasts or vlogs; research reports; reflections; and evaluations.

This module will provide you with the practical and theoretical underpinning of professional practice in your specific subject, enabling you to identify and develop key employability attributes and skills in preparation for your future career.  

You will spend several weeks working collaboratively with other students across the School for the Creative Industries on one major project or several smaller projects in a professional ‘simulated real world’ working environment.  Projects will be contemporary, topical, externally focussed and often involve partnership with outside agencies. The module will provide you with opportunities for immersive learning and the chance to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts. 

The module provides you with an opportunity to undertake a 140-hour work placement. This placement is complemented by a number of school-delivered sessions designed to develop your employability, professional practice, and understanding of career options. Students learn to reflect on the nature of creativity within their studies, as well as other transferable skills and competencies developed on their programmes, and gain awareness of how this is valued and relevant in modern workplaces. 

This will be a university-level work placement of up to 7 weeks of 140 hours with a placement provider(s) (e.g. an employer from the private, public, or charitable sector). The placement(s) should be relevant to your area of study and wider career goals, and can either be organised by you, or with support from university staff. All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means: Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc).

Placement may potentially take place with more than one employer, reflecting the nature of freelance suppliers in the creative industries. To further reflect the diverse nature of employment in the creative industries, some- or all- of your hours may be spent working remotely on activities such as copy-writing, preparation, post-production and presentation.

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at beginner level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a cultural issue in a target language country. Students of more than one language may take one language in the first half of the module and spend their time abroad developing a different language. 

• The multiple facets of global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Culture shock
• Cultural adjustment
• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
• Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
• Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Part A:      

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the University of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

• The multiple facets of Global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Theories and models Intercultural competence
• Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
• Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection

• Experiential learning models
• Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

• Enhanced independence
• Improved command of multicultural behaviour
• Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development
• Team building and team work

Part B:            Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
• Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Critical thinking skills, experiential learning and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

• Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

You will undertake study at one of the University of Chester's partner universities or undertake and approved work placement or virtual placement. If you are a student,  it is expected that you will choose a series of modules at the university abroad which must be agreed by the host institution and the Module Leader. you must supply details of you modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university.

This module explores the intersection of linguistics and the law, providing you with the skills and knowledge to analyse language as forensic evidence. Combining speech and phonetic analysis with corpus-based approaches to authorship, the module examines how linguistic expertise can contribute to criminal investigations and legal contexts.

You will investigate real-world case studies to understand how phonetics can be used to identify speakers, analyse accents, and detect deception in spoken evidence. You will also learn how corpus linguistic techniques uncover patterns in written texts to assess authorship, detect plagiarism, and analyse disputed documents. Practical sessions will involve working with speech analysis software such as PRAAT and corpus tools such as AntConc, WordSmith and Wmatrix to apply theoretical insights to forensic problems.

Key topics may include voice profiling, speaker verification, the stylistic fingerprint of individual authors, the use of linguistic evidence in court, and the ethical and methodological challenges of forensic linguistic work. 

By blending theoretical frameworks with hands-on analysis, this module equips you with transferable skills in linguistic research and forensic applications, preparing you for careers in linguistics, criminology, law enforcement, or further academic study.

This module explores the dynamic relationship between discourse, society, and the media. It examines how communication shapes and is shaped by social structures, cultural norms, and media practices. The ways in which traditional and digital media construct social realities through language, visual representation, and narrative will be explored. It also considers a range of controversies about language that are frequently discussed in a range of media discourses, such as language regulation and the role of global English. You will draw on critical discourse analysis, sociolinguistics and cultural theories to critically analyse the role of discourse in influencing public opinion, identity formation, political power, and social change.

You will engage with key concepts such as agenda-setting, representation, and the relationships between discourse and identity. The module covers a range of media platforms, including news outlets, social media, advertising, and entertainment, considering both historical and contemporary, national and local contexts. You will critically assess the intersection of media practices with issues like inequality, globalisation, activism, and public policy, while also exploring how media discourses reflect, perpetuate and challenge societal values.

The module encourages you to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world examples, helping you to develop a critical understanding of how media texts construct meanings and influence societal norms. Through lectures, readings, case studies, and practical analysis, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how discourse shapes public understanding and vice versa, preparing you for careers in media, communication, social research, or any field that involves the study of public discourse and its societal impact.

This final-year module integrates English language, literature, and creative writing to prepare you for life beyond university, blending academic study with practical skill development and career-focused applications. You will refine your expertise in linguistic analysis, critical interpretation, and creative expression, while exploring how these core skills translate into diverse professional environments.

Through engaging with a wide range of texts—from classic literature to contemporary media—you will deepen your understanding of storytelling, language use, and audience engagement. Creative writing workshops will encourage the development of original, polished works, while employability-focused sessions will highlight transferable skills such as communication, research, editing, and project management.

The module includes practical tasks like producing professional portfolios, writing for public audiences, and exploring roles in industries such as publishing, education, media, and heritage. Insight from industry professionals will provide information about career opportunities, and you will be encouraged to reflect on your academic experiences to articulate your strengths in professional contexts. Knowledge from Level 5 core and specialist modules will be consolidated, extended and contextualised in terms of the relationship between your academic studies and the developments of transferable skills valued in a range of modern workplaces.

By combining advanced study with hands-on practice, this module equips you with the tools and confidence to excel in the workplace, demonstrating the value and versatility of an English degree.

This self-directed module provides you with an opportunity to undertake an extended project on a chosen and approved topic within your subject discipline.  The project enables you to develop and evidence specialist subject knowledge and understanding, engagement with academic literature and theory and exhibit a range of skills including independent research and project management.

You are encouraged to choose a project topic which reflects your particular interests in your subject area/career aspirations and can be written or practice-based.  In the initial stages of the module, you will engage with a series of sessions focused on research practice including research methodologies and ethical practice.  You will then formatively present your project idea, gaining feedback to hone the focus and title.  You will conduct individual research and will be strongly encouraged to collaborate with others if you are undertaking a practice-based project.

Whether the project outcome is an artefact (eg film, music recording or series of articles/features), a practice-based outcome (eg performance or presentation) or a written dissertation, extensive research needs to be conducted to inform and develop the project topic and offer an appropriate framework for study.  Regular meetings with your supervisor will give you the opportunity to gain ongoing feedback on your research project.

The project culminates in the submission of the written dissertation or practice-based outcome.  Those assessed on a practice-based outcome must also submit an individual contextualising document.  

The specialist, transferable and soft skills developed in this module will help you to prepare for your chosen profession or next step in your 'graduate trajectory'.