Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
In order to claim this qualification, you must have completed the required 360 credits by this time.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
This degree course offers a stimulating and wide-ranging introduction to English language and literature. You’ll have the opportunity to investigate how the English language is used in a variety of global contexts, and to study literature from different historical periods and diverse cultural settings. You’ll explore writing and speech in a wide range of forms, and develop your skills in the interpretation of both literary and non-literary texts. At Level 1 your studies will be framed within interdisciplinary themes, and at Level 2 you’ll move onto more specialised modules in English language and literature. At Level 3 your options broaden to include choices within the broad field of English, including creative writing. As you progress through your English Language and Literature degree, you’ll acquire skills of analysis, the ability to critically comment on different kinds of writing, and learn to develop and sustain complex arguments.
If you’re awarded this degree you’ll have:
- a broad understanding of the English language, including its history, contemporary use and its development as a global language
- received a wide-ranging introduction to literary texts in English (and translated into English)
- developed skills in the interpretation of both literary and non-literary texts, including spoken, written and multimodal texts
- developed a critical understanding of the range and variety of traditions and approaches to the study of literature and language.
Planning your studies
For this degree we strongly recommend that you start with the compulsory Level 1 module, The arts past and present (AA100) which will give you a firm foundation for future studies.
As you approach the final stages of AA100, we suggest you seek advice from one of our study advisers about choosing your next module. We would recommend We recommend that you then build on this with Voices, texts and material culture (A105). This module will extend your understanding of the humanities, with creative writing, English language and heritage studies added to the rich mix of subjects you will have encountered in AA100. It is designed to extend the range of your interdisciplinary perceptions, hone your critical and analytical skills, provide you with opportunities to work collaboratively, develop flexibility in your writing skills and prepare you for study at Level 2.
You are advised to study Level 1 modules first, followed by Level 2 modules and to complete your degree with Level 3 modules.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). If you have graduated with an OU BA degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 credits. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.
Career relevance and employability
Study of the arts and humanities requires an understanding of human activities in diverse cultural environments and in very different historical circumstances. The breadth of study and the range of cultural texts and objects analysed, combined with training in clear thinking and communication, make this degree course relevant to a wide variety of careers, including:
- public administration, local government, the civil service, art institutions, and social services
- advertising, journalism, publishing, creative industries and public relations
- education
- legal work
- business, banking and retail
- human resources
- charities and campaigning.
Employers greatly value the high-level skills acquired by studying an English language and literature degree – which may be broadly summarised as critical thinking, analysis, and communication. You’ll sharpen your IT, writing, and independent thinking skills, and develop the ability to assimilate and evaluate relevant information in constructing an argument. These are key skills in complex organisations, greatly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering or changing career.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
180 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The arts past and present (AA100)
|
60 |
|
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Reading and studying literature (A230)*
|
60 |
|
- Worlds of English (U214)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued modules A102, A103, A150, A151, AZX103, at Level 2 the discontinued modules A210*, U210, U211
* You may only count one of these modules towards the compulsory Level 2 component of this degree
And 60 credits from the following optional literature modules:
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Advanced creative writing (A363)
|
60 |
|
- Children’s literature (EA300)
|
60 |
|
- English literature from Shakespeare to Austen (A334)
|
60 |
|
- Literature in transition: 1800 to present (A335)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules A300, A312, A361, A319, A421, A430, AA306, AA316, AZX300
And 60 credits from the following optional English language modules:
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Exploring English grammar (E304)
|
60 |
|
- Language and creativity (E302)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules E300, E301, E303
And a maximum of 60 credits of free choice from any OU modules to bring your total number of credits to 360. Within the total, you must ensure that you have at least the required minimum number of credits at each level and no more than 30 from Openings modules or the discontinued Short module Science starts here (S154).
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English Language and Literature degree.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in a minimum of 120 and up to 240 credits from those modules above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification