English is an important language socially, politically and economically. It is a World language, with an estimated 1,500 million speakers worldwide. English is also the best-described language in the world. The introductory modules for this course look at issues such as how our language changes according to the context in which it is being used, how men's and women's language use differs, how we acquire language and and how and why it continues to evolve.

The English Literature aspect of the course offers you the opportunity to study texts and authors from an exceptionally wide range of English, British and American literature. During your degree these works are studied in a variety of ways, some emphasising, for example, the social or political context in which a text was produced; others are studied with a more linguistic or stylistic approach. The course course aims to develop your skills in reading literature and to introduce you to new critical techniques and ways of studying literary texts. Through the study of English literature you will develop critical capacities and a range of invaluable intellectual and interpersonal skills: the ability to evaluate and interpret material and the capacity to explain it logically, orally or on paper, the ability to work independently and as a member of a group, to manage your own time and to work to deadlines set by yourself and others. These are skills which are sought by employers in many fields.

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Career

A degree in English Language will increase your knowledge of language structure and use for communicative purposes, the history of the English language and the role of English in the world. Recent graduates have gone on to do further academic study such as the PGCE and postgraduate qualifications leading to speech and language therapy, overseas teaching, and other training in order to pursue careers in social work, police work, immigration work, local government, banking and accountancy, librarianship, media and journalism, creative writing and publishing. 

When graduates in English Literature reflect on the skills they developed through their degree which they have found most useful in their new jobs, they speak of advanced literary and communication skills, writing for project-based work, independent thought and judgement, and good time-management.