Program Overview

English BA (Hons)

Overview

The English BA (Hons) course is designed for students who are passionate about English Language, English Literature, or Creative Writing but don't want to commit to one specific focus straight away. This innovative and flexible degree offers an exciting opportunity to study these areas without being tied down to just one discipline from day one.

Course Structure

The course is structured into three years, with a core module each year, plus the chance to choose from a wide range of optional modules in English Language, Literature, or Creative Writing.

Year 1

• Studying English (100 Credits) Core: This module offers an interdisciplinary exploration of English language, literature, and creative writing, focusing on the rich historical and cultural tapestry of the city of Chester.
• Writing for Your Life (20 Credits) Option: This module helps students develop key skills in effective reading, note-taking, and time-management, as well as cognitive skills such as critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
• Language options (20 Credits) Option: Students can choose to learn a new language or build on their existing language skills as part of their degree.

Year 2

• Advances in English (40 Credits) Core: This module takes students on a journey through the history and development of the English language, exploring its evolution alongside the literary and creative works that have shaped and reflected its development.
• Creativity in the Modern Workplace (40 Credits) Option: This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a 140-hour work placement, complemented by school-delivered sessions designed to develop their employability, professional practice, and understanding of their career options.
• Work Placement (40 Credits) Option: This module provides a structured, university-level work placement for 4, 5, or 7 weeks as one continuous block/period with a placement provider.
• Language options (40 Credits) Option: Students can choose to learn a new language or build on their existing language skills as part of their degree.

Year 3

• Beyond the Page (40 Credits) Core: This final-year module integrates English language, literature, and creative writing to prepare students for life beyond university, blending academic study with practical skill development and career-focused applications.
• CSP Negotiated Research Project (40 Credits) Option: This self-directed module allows students to initiate and develop their own major project ideas appropriate to their discipline of study.
• Type Writing: Literature and Genre (20 Credits) Option: This module focuses on varied and exciting examples of 'genre fiction', exploring questions such as the definition and complexity of 'genre', notions of canonicity, and distinctions between the 'popular' and 'literary'.
• Contemporary Literary Cultures (20 Credits) Option: This module is an exciting exploration of a range of contemporary texts, including flash fictions, poems, 'literary' novels, 'popular' novels, award-winning plays, and best-selling plays.
• Forensic Linguistics (20 Credits) Option: This module explores the intersection of linguistics and the law, providing students with the skills and knowledge to analyse language as forensic evidence.
• Discourse, Society and Media (20 Credits) Option: This module examines the dynamic relationship between discourse, society, and the media, exploring how communication shapes and is shaped by social structures, cultural norms, and media practices.
• Writing a Novel (20 Credits) Option: This module is designed to give students a detailed understanding of the process of planning, writing, and editing a novel.
• Writing a Script (20 Credits) Option: This module is designed to give students a detailed understanding of the process of planning, writing, editing, and submitting a script.

Entry Requirements

• Home Students: UCAS Points: 112 points. GCE A Level: Typical offer – BCC-BBC. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.
• International Students: UCAS Points: 72 points. GCE A Level: 72 points overall, including grade D in A level. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP.
• Foundation Year: UCAS Points: 72 points. GCE A Level: 72 points overall, including grade D in A level. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP.

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26).
• International Students: £14,450 per year for a full-time course (2025/26).
• Foundation Year: £5,760 for the first foundation year, then £9,535 per annum for the following years (2025/26) for Home Students. £10,750 for the first foundation year, then £14,450 per annum for the following years (2025/26) for International Students.

Who You'll Learn From

• Dr Jo Close: Senior Lecturer
• Dr Richard Leahy: Senior Lecturer
• Professor Melissa Fegan: Professor
• Dr Graham Atkin: Senior Lecturer
• Dr Paul Flanagan: Senior Lecturer
• Dr Ashley Chantler: Senior Lecturer

Where You'll Study

• Exton Park, Chester: The location is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student.

Your Future Career

• Job Prospects: A single honours degree in English brings many transferable skills, including written and oral communication, textual analysis, presentation, teamwork, time management, and independence.
• Careers Service: The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences.