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BA (Hons) English Language and Communication

How to apply Come to an Open Day

Introduction

Whether you want to use your communication skills in the media or in the boardroom, our degree course will give you a thorough understanding of how the English language works and how it reflects the most important issues of our times.

ARU Spotlight - Jyoti Singh

Jyoti graduated from ARU with a BA (Hons) English Language degree in 2020, and now works as Student Services Manager at Stafford House language school in Cambridge.

Discover how our course helped Jyoti advance her career
Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023 logo

Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Join a course ranked 11th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2024, and seventh in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2023.

Explore the power of the English language in communication, and how it expresses and reflects crucial global issues such as ideologies, culture wars, conflict, social justice, equality, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.

Our core modules will give you a broad, interdisciplinary introduction to language and communication, including its psychology and social and cultural impact, and giving you the skills to deconstruct, critically analyse and research texts from many different fields, including media, politics, advertising, and even laboratory experiments.

You can then use and further develop these skills while exploring your own areas of interest on our optional modules, including digital media, online journalism, youth culture and podcasting, preparing you for many possible careers in the modern digital world.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry requirements

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Fees and paying for university

Facilities and showcase

Outstanding student support

Join our student community and:

  • benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
  • learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
  • access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more
  • study on a course that's been ranked 1st in the UK for Learning Resources (Source: subject ranking for English Language, NSS 2022).

Take a closer look

Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.

Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.

Alternatively, take a guided tour and meet our students.

Careers

Our BA (Hons) English Language and Communication will equip you with skills and knowledge that will transfer to a wide range of graduate occupations, including business, politics, journalism, law, consultancy, marketing, teaching, speech therapy, and the military or civil service, amongst many others.

It will also help you develop a greater understanding of national and international issues in the modern world, and the ability to reflect on some of the most important ethical and moral issues of our time. This will allow you develop the values and practices required for ethical and effective leadership, such as conflict resolution and the analysis of strategic and tactical uses of different forms of communication – shaped by, among other things, power, culture and identity.

Graduation doesn't haver to be the end of your time with us. You might choose to continue your studies, with a postgraduate degree such as our MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL or MA Intercultural Communication. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Joanne

"I really wanted to be able see what it would be like to think and to dream in a different perspective. I think that learning a language opens up many more doors for you."

Joanne

BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics student

Joanne's story

Apply now for BA (Hons) English Language and Communication

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Life in Cambridge

Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our Cambridge

Placement year available

You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.

Your guide to placements

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