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English

Undergraduate Pathway in English

Birmingham City University (BCU) is in the UK Top 10 for career prospects in English (Guardian League Table 2025).

Lecturers are experts in their field, boasting an international repertoire of publications, exhibitions, and media appearances.

The School of English is home to the Institute of Creative and Critical Writing, enriching degrees through its series of masterclasses, guest author seminars, and exciting public events.


Duration

  • One, two or three semesters

Intakes

  • September
  • January
  • May

Entry Points

  • Foundation

The Student Experience | English

Modules

One-Semester Foundation

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Mass Communication

This module will introduce you to the core concepts and principles relevant to mass communications, including some of the major theories.

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Extended Project

TBC

Two-Semester Foundation

Semester 1

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Numerical Techniques

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Semester 2

Mass Communication

This module will introduce you to the core concepts and principles relevant to mass communications, including some of the major theories.

Design Concepts

This module will introduce you to design, the importance of design and the fundamentals of technical drawing.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Globalisation

You will explore how the concept of globalisation has evolved, looking at:

  • The economic, political, technological and social forces involved
  • Local/regional beliefs that become global.

Three-Semester Foundation

Semester 1

Academic English

This module focuses on speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, writing and grammar, and academic writing. The aim is to build your confidence in communication.

Numeracy Skills

You will gain basic skills in counting, solving number problems, measuring, estimating, sorting, noticing patterns, and adding and subtracting numbers.

Creative Concepts

TBC

Seminar Sessions (Employability)

TBC

Semester 2

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Researching and referencing techniques.

Numerical Techniques

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Composition and Style

This module will define the core principles of effective academic writing, including:

  • How to argue a position coherently and appropriately
  • Distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing
  • Identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

Semester 3

Mass Communication

This module will introduce you to the core concepts and principles relevant to mass communications, including some of the major theories.

Design Concepts

This module will introduce you to design, the importance of design and the fundamentals of technical drawing.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Globalisation

You will explore how the concept of globalisation has evolved, looking at:

  • The economic, political, technological and social forces involved
  • Local/regional beliefs that become global.

Career Prospects

  • Journalist
  • Content Strategist
  • Marketing Copywriter
  • Communications Officer
  • Commissioning Editor

Industry-standard Facilities

Based in the Curzon Building on the City Centre Campus, you will have easy access to the University’s biggest library, with two floors of books, journals and AV resources to support your studies.

Our Facilities – Campus Library
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