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The Kent English Language and Linguistics programme provides an opportunity to discover spoken and written language in all its complexity. Language plays a central role in everything we as human beings do, and this programme explores its many facets, allowing you to tailor your studies to suit your individual interests and possible career paths. While the focus will be on English, currently the world’s most powerful and prestigious language, you will also explore the meaning of language more generally, and discover what language systems have in common.
Overview
Combining theoretical and practical elements, the programme explores both the structure of language and its relationship with culture, society, and the mind. A broad choice of theoretical topics encompasses such areas as syntax, phonetics and phonology, morphology, sociolinguistics, language acquisition, semantics, pragmatics, literary stylistics and critical and cultural theory, while courses in language learning and teaching, creative and media writing, and language and media have a more vocational focus.
Independent rankings
Modern Languages and Linguistics was ranked 3rd in the UK in the REF2014, with 85% of its published research graded 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'. Over 90% of Modern Language and Linguistics students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course, according to The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
On average, you have two one-hour lectures each week plus two seminar classes of two hours each. However, this varies depending on the material and the nature of the module, and there may be additional workshops, discussion groups and practical sessions. You have group or one-to-one tutorials for research projects and dissertations, and also have tutorials with your lecturers and seminar leaders to discuss coursework and assignments. In addition, you have access to further information and support via Moodle, our interactive web-based learning platform.
At each stage, some modules are continuously assessed, while others combine coursework and examination. Stage 2 and 3 modules count towards your final degree result.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a challenging and research-led programme of study, relevant to the needs of students with a strong interest in English language and language structure more generally
- meet the needs of those thinking of working in education, training, writing, publishing, commerce, language-based therapy and tourism, or other careers where sensitivity to language and communication plays a central role
- offer a grounding in linguistic theory, and sensitivity to social, cultural and political issues which surround the use of language
- provide teaching which is informed by current research, scholarship and good practice
- enable students to manage their own learning and to carry out independent research
- develop general critical, analytical and problem-solving skills
- provide students with opportunities for the development of their personal, communication, research and other key skills
- enable students to think and work creatively and intellectually and to stimulate their search for knowledge and insight.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics and language studies
- terminology to describe and understand the nature and use of language, including: relevant descriptive linguistic concepts; and terms relevant to theory and explanation in linguistics; the role of language in social life and sychronic and diachronic perspectives
- the way speech sounds are articulated, described and change in isolation and in natural speech, and how these are organised into a system
- the structures and properties of individual words and sentences
- the way meaning is generated in language
- language varieties, styles and registers, with particular reference to English
- intercultural language issues
- language acquisition
- discourse in its broader political, historical and socio-cultural contexts(discourse analysis, stylistics and text analysis, theories of discourse)
Intellectual skills
You gain intellectual skills in how to:
- construct and manage an argument
- critically judge and evaluating evidence
- present, evaluate and interpret a variety of data
- assess the merits of contrasting theories and explanations, including those from other disciplines
- collect and analyse data using a variety of methods
- consider the ethical aspects of collecting, handling and storing of data
- summarise and synthesise information from a number of sources
- reach independent judgements about data or theory.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- demonstrating and applying knowledge of the main methods of enquiry and analysis in linguistics and its sub-fields
- understanding the technical and ethical issues in linguistic data collection
- presenting linguistic data
- evaluating and interpreting linguistic data, developing lines of argument, and making sound judgements in accordance with the central theories and analytical concepts in linguistics and its sub-fields
- separating descriptive from prescriptive linguistic judgements, and challenging linguistic prejudice.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- communication: presenting the results of study and work accurately, with well-structured and coherent arguments in an effective and fluent manner both in speech and in writing; communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
- effective interaction within small groups, exercising personal responsibility, sensitivity and appropriate decision-making skills
- managing your own learning, demonstrating the ability to conduct independent research, to achieve goals, take initiative, be organised and meet deadlines
- understanding the dynamics of oral and written communication within a variety of settings
- library and information technology application and resources
- advanced-level IT, including aspects relating to multimedia and multimodal discourse
- managing time and prioritising workloads
- accurate and effective note-taking
- problem-solving in a variety of theoretical and practical situations.
Careers
Single and joint honours programmes in English Language and Linguistics help you acquire high-level skills in communication, problem solving, group work, IT and numeracy, which will be very important in your future career. The programme prepares students for a wide range of careers where an in-depth understanding of how language functions is essential. These include advertising, journalism and professional writing, media, the law, public relations, marketing and sales, publishing, teaching at all levels, company training, broadcasting, and the civil or diplomatic services. The single honours programme is particularly useful for students who are thinking of English teaching either in the UK or abroad.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 at HL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.