Course Overview
Lancaster's English Literature and Linguistics degree is taught by the English Literature Department, which ranks highly across teaching, research and student surveys, and the Department of Linguistics and English Language, ranked first in the Complete University Guide 2012.
Your degree offers fascinating insights into a broad range of literature alongside an in-depth study of the language used to write them. You'll gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of a wide range of texts through a careful study of the sound, grammar and meaning systems of different languages.
You'll begin your degree with courses including English Literature and an Introduction to General Linguistics before moving on to more specialised second-year modules, such as The Theory and Practice of Criticism and The Structures of Language. In your final year, you'll be able to study Topics in Linguistic Theory and write your Dissertation about an area of specific interest to you.
For a list of compulsory modules, please see the tab above.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Linguistics and English Language department.
Year 1
Year 2
- The Theory and Practice of Criticism
- The Structures of Language
Year 3
- Topics in Linguistic Theory
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Linguistics and English Language department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAA, inc grade A English Literature or English Language and Literature combined. We normally expect three A-levels.
General Studies: Accepted as one of 3 A-levels
Preference: A-levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: AAABB inc A in English
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 36 pts overall with 16 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: DD plus A-level English Literature or English Lang and Lit at Grade A
Mature students: Applications welcome, especially with evidence of recent successful formal study e.g. a pass in an Access Course involving English Literature with 6 - 8 unit distintions, including distinctions in all available English units.
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
At Lancaster, we encourage you to connect the study of language with real-world problems and their solutions. This prepares you for a wide variety of careers working with the linguistically disabled. Other possible paths include social work, counselling and the media.
The empirical and analytical methods used in Linguistics are also useful preparation for careers where numeracy and logical thinking is needed, such as computer programming, administration and accountancy.
Your degree provides a useful grounding for roles requiring clear and effective communication that is sensitive to people's interests and needs, including teaching and management.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2013, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2013 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2012.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
