English Language and Literature

Unite a passion for literature with a fascination for language and answer questions such as; how has social and geographical mobility created new accents? BA English Language and Literature is a three-year degree, with an optional fourth year for a placement or study abroad, taught at our Colchester campus. This course combines the study of language and literature, allowing you to explore how English has developed over time, how it varies across societies and regions, and how literary texts reflect and shape human experience.

You'll examine language as a social phenomenon while engaging with a diverse range of literary traditions and genres. An understanding of language enhances our self-awareness and helps us explore fundamental questions about communication, identity, and culture. Literature provides a powerful lens through which to examine these issues, from the time of Shakespeare to contemporary global writing.

This course offers a strong foundation in the linguistic and sociolinguistic study of modern English, alongside the opportunity to engage with a wide range of literary texts, genres, and critical approaches. You'll investigate how language and literature interact to shape meaning, culture, and society.