English Language and Journalism

Overview

Studying English Language and Journalism in combination develops your linguistic skills and knowledge of communication, contemporary society, and culture. You’ll explore theoretical concepts of language construction and apply them to modern journalistic environments. As you develop a more in depth understanding of how language shapes our worlds, brings thoughts to life and forms our identities, you will shape your own unique journalistic style.

The joint honours course combines lectures and seminars with practical projects, supported by specialist staff with industry experience. Students graduate with a firm understanding of communication valued by employers across a range of industries.

Key features

• Gain an understanding of how today’s media is consumed, how to produce the right content, and look at law, ethical issues, and the role of journalism in today’s society

• Excellent work placement opportunities, developed in collaboration with local organisations, including the BBC

• Benefit from an exciting programme of guest lecturers from within the industry

• Clear focus on the socio-cultural aspects of language use and an emphasis on the development of research skills with opportunities to present research outcomes through a student conference in the final year

• Hands-on approach to the study of the social impact of language using real data

• Integrated Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), enhancing your professional portfolio

Future employment

The Journalism aspect of this course will provide you with practical skills to work as a journalist or researcher, or in related communications jobs such as those in public relations. You will be well placed to progress to postgraduate study in journalism or in a wide range of other areas. Students have found employment in the following areas: broadcast and print journalism, local and national radio presenting, media research, event organising, media planning, television, theatre, marketing, public relations, social media management, campaigns, teaching and further study.

Many graduates of English Language Studies courses will take a postgraduate education course as a fourth year of study and enter the teaching profession. Others will find that the skills acquired through the study of English are particularly highly regarded in all professions where good communication skills are prized such as publishing, journalism, public relations, human resources and web-based communication. English Language Studies provides continuous opportunities to develop employability skills and includes work experience options. There is a range of opportunities to study for a semester abroad in Europe and the USA in the second semester of the second year.

Why the University of Worcester?

The University of Worcester is a campus university, meaning everything you need is on site. We’re based in a vibrant cathedral city just 40 mins south of Birmingham and an hour north of Bristol, and our beautiful green campuses have plenty of parking and quality on-site accommodation.

At Worcester, small class sizes, supportive tutors, and professionally focused courses mean you’ll be prepared for your dream career. These are just some of the reasons why we’re first in the UK for both graduate employment and quality education.

• University of the Year finalist in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.
• First in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, from any multidisciplinary university – Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) 2017 to 2025.
• First in the UK for quality education – Joint 1st in the Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings 2025.

Join us at one of our regular Open Days to see if the University is a good fit for you: www.worcester.ac.uk/opendays