This degree combines elements of the English Language and English Literature degree programmes in roughly equal proportions, and you study alongside students on those degrees. Stage 1 lays the foundations for the theoretical and historical study of language, especially the English language, as well as introducing aspects of the nature of language from animal 'language' to social and regional dialects. Language/linguistics at degree level is often quite different from 'English Language' studies at GCSE, or even A-Level, and so our teaching assumes no prior knowledge, except your experience as an English speaker, and provides you with essential tools for analysing all aspects of language. The literature modules build on your previous experience (usually to high A-Level standard or equivalent), enabling you to sample a wide range of writing and to become familiar with a variety of approaches to English literature (including American and postcolonial), drama, film and literary theory.
At Stages 2 and 3, you continue with a combination of literature and language subjects, with at least one third of your modules in each discipline, and the degree structure ensures a good range of topics and approaches. At the same time you are able to choose from the wide selection of modules taught at Newcastle, creating a degree programme to suit your own interests. Further details of Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the degree are given below.
The University Prospectus lists our normal offers. These are what we would generally make to students who apply to read for a degree programme in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics. However, we look at all parts of your application, including GCSE results, reference and personal statement, so the actual offer made to any individual may vary slightly from the normal offer. If you are taking an Access Course, or if you are studying for other qualifications, either in the UK or abroad, then you should contact the Selector: Prof. Mike Pincombe.
In Stage 2, while your linguistics modules are organised by topic, the structure of your literature modules echoes that of our English Literature BA in that in this part of your degree you will be required to take at least one pre-20th century module alongside at least one more contemporary one, from options on Renaissance Literature, the Eighteenth Century, the Romantics, the Victorians, 20th Century British and American Modernism, Postwar Culture, Postcolonial Fiction, and Creative Writing. As part of your language/linguistic component, you can choose to study diverse areas such as World Englishes, the origins of language, child language acquisition, syntactic theory, and the evolution of the English language throughout the centuries. When making this choice you will be guided by your personal tutor who will help you make a selection that ensures a wide-ranging knowledge of various literary forms and genres in different, and to chose from modules in linguistic theory, socio-linguistics, and the history of the language.
Stage 3 gives you the chance to work in smaller groups and study themes and topics in modules that are driven by your lecturers’ research specialisms. You will also be encouraged to work with increasing independence to develop your own specialist interests – the optional final-year dissertation is a popular way of studying a subject you are passionate about in great depth. Linguistics modules on offer include semantics and pragmatics, second language acquisition, computational linguistics, linguistic variation and change in the British Isles, among others. Your literature modules, will be also more specialist in nature and here, as at stage 2, you will be asked to study some earlier period material alongside more contemporary literature when completing your final year. For further information on the modules likely to be available to you at Stage 3, follow the module listing link at the bottom of this page to see the information on the options at stage 3. Please be aware, however, that because we are keen to keep our offerings up to date, these options do from change year to year.
Stage Manuals
Regulations and Requirements