Overview
Does language in the media affect people’s opinions and actions? How is language used in social and traditional media for politics, art, and business communication? What does the language used in the media tell us about English-speaking societies?
This course explores the structure and use of the English language as well as how Media is used to communicate, from the perspectives of both businesses and politicians and also in every day society.
During your studies you explore topics such as:
- propaganda in film and literature
- how language is used in conversation
- the role of new media in shaping mass culture
- how the media is used for marketing purposes
This unique combination of studying English language and Media communication provides an interesting curriculum and the broad range of areas covered opens many doors, giving you an edge in the global job market.
This course is taught within our Department of Language and Linguistics. We are ranked 13th in the UK for Linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2020).
The collaborating departments on this course stand out for their excellence in their respective fields. Essex Business School is an international community of researchers, students and entrepreneurs. You learn from world-leading academics and practitioners, solving real-world business challenges.
The Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies is an interdisciplinary department with expertise in English literature, drama, creative writing, journalism, film and screen media. It has an international reputation for research quality and teaching, with excellent scores for student satisfaction and graduate prospects.
The Department of Government is a world leader in political sciences and among the top 30 Politics departments according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2020).
The Department of Sociology was rated top 25 for Sociology (TGUG 2018) and is ranked 7th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2020).
Study abroad
Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.
Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.
If you spend a full year abroad you’ll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won’t pay any tuition fees to your host university.
Placement year
On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry.
If you complete a placement year you’ll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.
Our expert staff
Our staff are internationally recognised for their language research. We maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we integrate language learning with linguistics wherever there is synergy. Our hands-on approach enhances your experience in the department.
Specialist facilities
The study of language provides the opportunity for plenty of hands-on experience as well as theoretical work. You might be studying texts, listening to interviews, or analysing sounds, so we provide extensive facilities to allow you to fully engage with a wide variety of linguistic methods:
- Our ‘Visual World’ Experimental Lab records response times and eye movements when individuals are presented with pictures and videos
- An exciting programme of research seminars and other events
- Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives
- Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
- Meet other language enthusiasts through our student-run Linguistics Society
Your future
An English Language degree opens the door to a career in a variety of areas, including education, IT, HR, and writing. The media aspect of this course will specifically prepare you for a career in the media industry. By combining these two subject areas you add an edge to your CV and ensure you gain knowledge and experience in both areas simultaneously.
We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
Why we’re great
- You explore language, politics, business, sociology and literature in one course.
- You develop your critical thinking, research, and communication skills through various activities
- You join our diverse community of students from all corners of the globe – the world in one place.
Structure
Course structure
We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.
Teaching and learning disclaimer
Following the impact of the pandemic, we made changes to our teaching and assessment to ensure our current students could continue with their studies uninterrupted and safely. These changes included courses being taught through blended delivery, normally including some face-to-face teaching, online provision, or a combination of both across the year.
The teaching and assessment methods listed show what is currently approved for 2022 entry; changes may be necessary if, by the beginning of this course, we need to adapt the way we’re delivering them due to the external environment, and to allow you to continue to receive the best education possible safely and seamlessly.
Placement
Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation, where you learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Employability and Careers Centre.
If you complete a placement year you’ll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.
Year abroad
On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.
Teaching
- Teaching is arranged to allow freedom in how you organise your learning experience
- Examples of practical work include digitally recording dialect speakers in a small traditional fishing community, or scouring digitised child language databanks
- Other teaching methods include lectures, demonstrations and learning by teaching others
Assessment
- You’re assessed through a combination of coursework (assignments, essays and tests) and end-of-year examinations.
- Weighted 50% coursework and 50% exams depending on which modules you choose.
- Other assessment methods include quizzes, presentations, portfolios, group work, and projects.
