English Language and Literature Cardiff University

Overview

With the English Language and Literature programme offered by Cardiff University , you will graduate with a range of professional skills, including collaboration, communication and critical thinking. You will be aware of the ethical, social and linguistic challenges that face contemporary society and industry, and have the ideas and confidence required to solve them.

Key facts

In English Language we’ll look at how language is structured and used in the social world. There are two key aspects to doing this: First, knowledge of the relationships between linguistic structures, individual identity, and social organisation. Second, the acquisition of skills for analysing language, not just as it can be used but as it is used in context. 

In Literature, you will study literature from different periods and cultures, and across the range of principal literary genres. You will not be restricted to studying the printed word: we are intrigued by the connections between literature and film, art, history, technology, language, and everyday life, and the teaching reflects these interests. You will learn how literature addresses social, environmental, and economic concerns with the aim of creating a better, more inclusive world and developing sustainable solutions for the future of the planet.

Acquiring career-enhancing skills, you’ll have the opportunity to analyse and produce different types of texts and work with specialised software. You’ll gain skills from analysing real-world examples of language and learn how to construct arguments and communicate ideas to different audiences.

Career prospects

Degrees in English language and literature combine the best of humanities skills (flexibility, communication, critique) and social science skills (technical analysis and systematic method). This combination of specialist and transferable skills, alongside your powers of expression and critical thinking, will be valued by employers.

During your degree, you’ll benefit from the university’s range of careers support. The Cardiff Award provides a framework through which to develop your employability while our Students Futures service can provide opportunities to develop or increase your professional experience through placements or internships and maximise your skills and preparation with careers workshops and one-on-one advice sessions. 

Equally, you could work with the Enterprise and Start Up team to bring your ideas to life, grounding you with the know-how to succeed. Alternatively, you can take advantage of initiatives like Languages for All and Welsh for All to gain new (or improve existing) language skills, enhancing both your CV and your personal experiences.

With the breadth of academic and professional skills, as well as personal development opportunities, open to them in Cardiff, our graduates can be found in a variety of roles and sectors. These include marketing and PR, sakes and advertising, media and broadcasting, education and teaching, speech and language therapy, the civil service and public administration, among many more.