COURSE CURRICULUM

The English Language and Literature BA at Sheffield combines the study of language and literary texts to provide a comprehensive understanding of both disciplines and their interactions. In the first year, students take core language and literature modules including sounds and structures of English, style in language, contemporary literature, and reading theatre and film, which establish foundational skills in analysis, interpretation, and linguistic understanding. The remaining credits can be chosen from optional modules covering areas such as creative writing, medieval literature, hybrid genres, historical and social linguistics, and language creativity, with the opportunity to take modules outside the English discipline. In the second year, students deepen their knowledge through core modules like history of persuasion, narrative experiments, literature and critical theory, and language and cognition, while further optional modules allow specialization in subjects including sociolinguistics, Shakespeare, and work-focused projects. In the final year, students consolidate their expertise with two research projects, integrating literary and linguistic approaches and pursuing independent study on topics of their choice. Optional modules in the third year cover areas such as film and theatre research, twentieth-century studies, historical pragmatics, and second language acquisition, enabling students to refine their analytical and research skills. Graduates leave equipped with strong communication, research, and critical thinking abilities, applicable across publishing, media, education, and other language-focused careers.