COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA English Language and Literature programme at the University of Reading combines the study of literary tradition with the scientific and social analysis of language. It is delivered jointly by the Department of English Literature and the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics, allowing students to develop equal strength in both disciplines. In literature modules such as Poetry in English and Theory and Practice of Writing, you will explore a wide historical and global range of texts, from Renaissance poetry to contemporary writing across the English-speaking world, while also developing your own critical and creative writing skills. Alongside this, language modules such as Sounds, Grammar and Meaning and English Language and Society introduce you to the structure and use of language in real-world contexts. You will study how English operates across different societies, how it is acquired, and how it is shaped by globalization, migration, and technology. Later modules deepen this understanding through English Grammar and Phonology and Sociolinguistics, focusing on language variation, identity, and communication in diverse communities. You will also engage with historical literature before 1900 and complete advanced study through a dissertation in either English Language and Linguistics or English Literature. The programme builds strong analytical, research, and communication skills, preparing you for careers in education, media, publishing, and cultural industries.