In this programme, you study half of your modules (60 credits) in English Language and half in Philosophy (60 credits).

First year

English Language: In two linked modules, Language Works, you will be introduced to a range of topics in English Language study, including the phonology (sound system) of English, its morphology (word formation) and grammar; children’s language development; discourse analysis, both spoken and written; and social issues, such as attitudes towards language and its role in education. You will also learn how to carry out research on English language topics.

Philosophy: First year modules include: Knowledge and Reality (what is the world like, and how, if at all, do we come to know about it?); History of Philosophy; Logic; and The Individual and Society (covering moral and political philosophy). There are also two seminar only modules: Philosophical Texts I, where you learn how to analyse and criticise some texts on a variety of topics, and Independent Study I, where you learn essay writing and research skills and apply them by writing an essay on a philosophical topic of your choice.

Second Year

English Language: In this year you can choose to take either two linked modules, which, following on from first year work, provide a thorough grounding in technical aspects of the language, concentrating on English phonology and morphology, and then English grammar; or you can choose two modules from a range including History of the English Language; Talk and Text, which provides in-depth analyses of different kinds of spoken interaction; and Language Acquisition, Variation and Change, which studies how these processes happen and what enables them. In addition, you will take the module Research Skills in English Language, which is designed to develop your group and individual research skills by guiding you in such tasks as carrying out a literature review, collecting and analysing data, and presenting your results orally, as well as reporting on your research in writing.

Philosophy: In the second year, all students are given some freedom of choice, so you can pursue the topics and questions that interest and inspire you. Second year modules currently on offer include: Thought and Language; Topics in the History of Philosophy; Philosophy of Science; Philosophy of Mind; and Meta-ethics. There is also Philosophical Texts II, where you focus on a single classic book by a particular author (you will have a range of texts in different areas to choose from), and Independent Study II, which gives you the opportunity to further hone your essay writing skills and to write another essay on a question of your own devising.

Final Year

English Language: You will now be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules on such topics as The Politics of English; Discourse and Society; English Language Teaching; Linguistic Theory; Narrative Analysis, Ordinary Creativity, and Words. Your degree builds to a final-year dissertation, a research project which you will carry out independently but under supervision: you will select your own topic for research, collect data, assimilate relevant literature and construct a substantial report on the project, showing judgement and persuasiveness.

Philosophy: In the final year there is even more choice of modules. Some areas, like ethics and metaphysics, will be familiar to you, but will be studied at a more advanced level; others, like the philosophy of Schopenhauer, will be new to you. Final year modules currently on offer include:

• Contemporary Moral Theory
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophy of Psychology
• Issues in Contemporary Metaphysics
• Realism and Anti-Realism
• Philosophy of Language
• Schopenhauer
• Global Bio-Ethics

Another option is the Philosophical Project module, for which you research and write a dissertation with the help of a supervisor who advises you and generally guides you through the process.

English Language

On this degree programme you will engage with the structure and character of the English language, including phonology, lexis, grammar, and discourse; the variation of the English language; theories and methods of linguistics; methodologies and practices of linguistic research; and the history and development of the English language.  Throughout the course you will gain a broad range of knowledge and understanding of the English language, and critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts both literary and non-literary.  You will also have developed your skills that are valued by employers including effective oral and written communication and argument.  The course will give you a secure understanding of how different social and cultural contexts affect language norms and meaning.  You will be taught through a variety of lectures, small-group seminars, workshops, and individual supervisions.

In the first year you will be introduced to a range of topics in English Language study including the history of English Language phonology (the sound system of English), morphology (word formation), grammar, children’s language development, discourse analysis (both spoken and written) and sociological issues such as the role of language in education. You will also have the opportunity to develop your research skills by investigating a topic of your choosing, which will enable you to develop your essay writing skills in English Language. Finally you will gain in-depth knowledge of different genres, and acquire appropriate tools for genre analysis which you will then be able to employ in your own writing.

Building on your first-year work, your second-year modules will provide you with a thorough grounding in the core technical aspects of the language, concentrating on English phonology and morphology and then on English grammar/syntax. You will also be able to choose from a range of options including History of English Language, which focuses on the history and development of the English Language, Talk and Text, which provides in-depth analyses of different kinds of spoken interaction, Language Acquisition, Variation and Change, which studies how these happen and what enables them, and Introduction to Teaching English as a Foreign Language. You will also take a module in Research Skills in English Language. This module is designed to develop your group and individual research skills by guiding you in such tasks as doing fieldwork, collecting data, and handling and oral presentation of results as well as a project write-up.

In the final year, you will study Linguistic Theory which provides an overview of linguistic theory, with an emphasis on data-based analysis. The module normally includes treatment of Saussure (the ‘founder’ of modern linguistics), Halliday (whose systemic model is very influential in the Birmingham School of Linguistics) and Sinclair (the Birmingham University-based founder of corpus linguistics). You will also be able to choose from a wide array of optional modules, on such topics as The Politics of English; Discourse and Society; Talk, Text and Identity; Lexicography and Word Meaning; and Narrative Analysis.

The degree builds to a final year substantial Research Project, which you will conduct independently but under supervision, on an issue of your own choice. You will be asked to select a suitable topic for research, collect data, assimilate relevant literature and construct a 10,000-word paper, showing judgement and persuasiveness. Ideally this will be of a standard which shows your eligibility for postgraduate study, or, if that is not your goal, for immediate employment.

Philosophy

How will I be taught?

As a Birmingham student, you are joining the academic elite and have the privilege of learning from world-leading experts in their fields. Throughout your studies, you'll be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner, thriving on challenge and opportunities to think for yourself. At first, you may find these new ways of working and learning a challenge, but we'll help you to make the transition and you'll soon be benefiting from some of the most highly regarded teaching in this subject in the country.

Support

Student Mentor Scheme

Our enthusiastic established students act as mentors to our new Philosophy students. This provides you with a friendly face to help you settle in.

Academic Writing Advisory Service

The Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) will provide you with individual support from an academic writing advisor and postgraduate subject-specialist writing tutors. You'll receive guidance on writing essays and dissertations at University-level which can be quite different from your previous experiences of writing. Support is given in a variety of ways, such as small-group workshops, online activities, feedback through email and tutorials.

Personal Tutor

From the outset, you will be assigned your own Personal Tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies, providing academic and welfare advice, encouraging you and offering assistance in any areas you may feel you need extra support to make the most of your potential and your time here at Birmingham.

Learning settings

Lectures are valuable opportunities for you to be taught and inspired by someone who is both an expert in the field and research active. Lectures are to some extent interactive, with frequent opportunities for discussion, and question-and-answer sessions.

Seminars run alongside lectures in some modules, providing you with an opportunity to prepare individual presentations, work in small groups, debate a topic and analyse primary sources in depth. This will give you a toolbox of transferable skills. All seminars require advance preparation and active student participation.

Interactive classes are offered in modules which don't feature separate seminars. Here, lecturing time and discussion time are part of the same session and the structure of the classes can be very flexible.

Supervised self study gives you the opportunity to choose a subject that you're interested in. Aided and supervised by members of staff, you'll explore sources that help you examine a philosophical problem of your choice, build skills in planning, research and time management, and develop original arguments for positions that you care about.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is an excellent tool for supporting our academic modules, allowing you to share throughts on assignments with other students via the discussion group facilities, and even submit your work electronically.

Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) means that learning is driven by the shared enquiry of students and tutors. This places you, the student, at the centre of your own degree: you learn through involvement and ownership, not simply by being a passive recipient of information. We believe that this is the best way of learning while you're at Birmingham as it's very effective in enabling you to acquire the key skills and attributes that are valued by employers: creative and independent thinking, self-motivation, self-organisation, team-working, goal-setting and problem-solving.

English Language

[Image above - Department of English Graduation July 2012]

Studying for an English Language BA at Birmingham is an unparalleled opportunity, not only to engage with a diverse cultural, textual and linguistic discipline, but also to develop skills in intellectual analysis, critical thinking and articulate expression – skills that last a lifetime and qualify you for many possible careers. You’ll also be encouraged to acquire practical skills that you’ll find just as useful in your future career, including oral presentation, professional documentation, group work and the uses of information technology.

50% of vacancies advertised for new and recent graduates don’t specify a degree subject, and English Language graduates enter a wide range of careers including advertising, journalism and media, government, law, publishing and teaching at every level. About 25% of English graduates pursue postgraduate study to specialise in an academic area or prepare for careers such as law and teaching.

English language graduates from the University of Birmingham have excellent prospects after graduation. 90% of our English graduates go into work or study within six months of graduation. This is above the national average and puts the University of Birmingham well into the top ten universities for graduate employability in this subject. Our graduates have started careers with employers including media companies, educational institutions, local councils, publishers, charities and a wide range of large commercial organisations, in roles such as marketing coordinator, editorial assistant, creative advertising account executive, recruitment consultant and parliamentary caseworker.

Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal. This is a unique careers guidance service tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. This includes individual careers advice and events to give you insight into the professions and employers of interest to arts graduates. Our ‘Creative careers’ series is always popular with our students, and features events with employers and professionals from areas such as advertising, PR and communications, careers in journalism, publishing and writing, and careers in the theatre.

As a School, we also hold events covering careers in teaching, event management, marketing and working with charities; we’re developing links with local arts organisations to create some amazing opportunities for students; and you can even apply for our ‘Global Challenge’ to work overseas on an expenses paid placement during your summer vacation. We also encourage all our students to apply their skills in the workplace by undertaking internships in the summer; the work experience bursary scheme enables students to apply for funding for those career areas where placements are often unpaid.

Our English alumni profiles

Philosophy

As a student of Philosophy you'll have an excellent opportunity to develop skills that are highly prized by employers. Our graduates understand complex information, write clearly and effectively, can build a case for a particular view, strategy or course of action, respect the views of others even if they disagree with them, and generally think for themselves. If you're taking the year abroad option, you'll develop real confidence and independence that's valued in the working world.

70% of job vacancies advertised for new and recent graduates don't specify a degree subject, so as a graduate of Philosophy you've a vast potential to enter a wide range of careers, including law, journalism and teaching, as well as commerce and industry. Some also decide to pursue postgraduate study.

University of Birmingham Philosophy graduates are very successful after graduation. Our graduates start careers with employers including Government departments, local councils, charities and companies in many business sectors, in roles as diverse as Assistant Literary Agent, Management Consultant, Marketing Assistant and Programmes Officer. If you'd like to find out more, take a look at 'Where Next? Unlocking the Potential of your Philosophy Degree' from The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies at the Higher Education Academy.

Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal. This is a unique careers guidance service tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team who can give you expert advice. This includes individual careers advice and events to give you insight into the professions and employers of interest to arts graduates.

Our 'Creative careers' series is always popular with our students, and features events with employers and professionals from areas such as advertising, PR and communications, media, journalism, publishing, advertising and politics. We also hold events covering careers in teaching, event management, marketing and working with charities, and our internship officer develops links with local arts organisations to create some amazing opportunities for students.

Extra-curricular activities

To enhance your career prospects even further, you will need to think about engaging in some extra-curricular activities while you're at university to broaden your skills and your network of contacts. This can include the many societies at the Guild of Students and also the many voluntary opportunities offered with local arts organisations. Our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Our College of Arts and Law undergraduate research scholarship scheme enables interested students to work on a current academic research project being run by one of the College's academic researchers. Undergraduate research scholars gain work experience over the summer after their first or second year and have the chance to develop skills in both collaborative and independent research.

Cultural Internships

Our innovative Cultural Internships offer graduates the opportunity for a six month paid internship at a leading cultural institution in the West Midlands. These internships are a unique opportunity to learn fundamental, transferable business and interpersonal skills, through experience of real work in an established cultural institution. Our current partners include Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust and the Library of Birmingham. We have plans to expand the scheme to include our own major cultural assets, such as Winterbourne House, the Lapworth Museum, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. This scheme will give you professional experience to set you apart in a competitive graduate market.