UCAS code Q304

Overview This engaging degree investigates the structure, history, and real-world usage of the English language across diverse global contexts. Blending theoretical linguistic analysis with practical application, the program at Lancaster University equips students to examine how language functions in everyday communication, digital media, professional settings, and broader social structures.

What You'll Learn

• Grammatical structures, phonetics, phonology, and semantic frameworks of the English language

• Socio-linguistic variation, regional dialects, and the social factors shaping language use

• The historical development and global evolution of English from its origins to World English status

• Methods for analyzing spoken discourse, written texts, and digital communication using corpus tools

• Psycholinguistic processes involved in child language acquisition and adult language processing

• The role of language in constructing identity, power dynamics, media narratives, and social influence

Learning Outcomes

• Systematically analyze the structural features of written and spoken English using linguistic tools

• Apply corpus techniques and data software to investigate large collections of English language data

• Critically evaluate how social, historical, and geographical factors drive English language variation

• Assess the impact of language choices in shaping social attitudes, power relations, and public media

• Formulate well-researched linguistic arguments using established academic standards and research ethics