BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year at York St John University. Everyone uses language, but the structures and systems beneath that everyday use often go unnoticed.
About this course
Meet us Apply now Everyone uses language, but not everyone understands how we use it. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For English language graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 40% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £22,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for English & Literature, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 80% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Introduction to LinguisticsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the fundamental components of linguistic study, and place your learning about these concepts within our multilingual world. We will explore the history of English as a global language, and consider how our languages have been shaped by contact with each other. You will consider the current dominance of the colonial languages, and think about the implications of this for smaller and indigenous languages, and for their speakers and natural environments. This will
- Language and SocietyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to key ideas and concepts in the study of language and society. You will explore how language varies across different settings and users. While looking at ways of analysing differences in language, you will investigate variations in phonetics, lexicon, grammar and register. You will also consider how language is used to reflect and construct social identities.
- Semantics and PragmaticsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn about meaning in language from linguistic, psychological and philosophical perspectives. To do this you will consider: The meanings of words, The ambiguity of language, Speech acts, Implied meaning in language. This will give you an awareness of how theories are constructed and evaluated based on research data. To do this, you will gain experience in using online questionnaires for data collection and analysing conversations.
- English GrammarCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module is your introduction to the descriptions of grammatical structures. This means looking at word classes, sentence types, morphology and more. You will study grammatical variations in English found within the UK and in other parts of the world. By the end of the module you will have a solid understanding of the basic terminology and key concepts.
- PhoneticsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces you to the principles of articulatory and practical phonetics. You will learn how to recognise, describe and produce a subset of the sounds of the world's languages, using the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet. You will also learn basic transcription skills in English. The module provides a foundation for further linguistic study, enabling you to recognise, transcribe and analyse sounds in, for example, children's language and varieties of English or other lan
- British Sign LanguageCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to British Sign Language. The topics you will cover include basic vocabulary for transport, weather, food and more. You will also learn basic deaf awareness. You will learn key BSL grammatical features and practise your ability to sign short BSL narratives about yourself, use everyday greetings, and explain your likes and dislikes using BSL.
Assessment: At the start module you will complete a multiple choice assessment and answer some questions related to the content of the module.
Year 2 9 modules
- Signed Languages in Social ContextsOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module we will investigate signed languages in a range of different social contexts. This will include investigating: Individual language use, Learning signed languages as first or second languages, Language evolution and the development of individual signed languages, The political context of language use, such as the effect of racial segregation on language development, and language policies. The module will include a range of in-class activities including experiments, presentations, g
- PhonologyOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module we will introduce you to aspects of phonetics and phonology that support the analysis of varieties of language, including child phonology and languages other than English. The module is taught using a problem-based learning workshop approach. You will learn about: The concept of the phoneme, Phonotactics and syllable structure, Transcription skills, including connected speech phenomena, Phonological features
- English Around the WorldOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will give you a deeper understanding of how the English language is spread across the globe. You will study the history of English both in the British Isles and abroad, thinking about the social history of language change, variety and status. You will also explore the concept of standard varieties of English, and the structural variation in major international varieties of English.
- Language, Gender and SexualityOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn about key areas of feminist and queer linguistics. We will cover different theories and approaches to the study of language, gender and sexuality, and you will learn about how some of these approaches have been applied in domains such as education, the workplace, literature and the media. Through this you will gain confidence in arguing for your own, informed position, and using the grounding you have received as a starting point for your own work and ideas.
- Analysing Media DiscourseOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module you will explore how media uses language and other communication resources to shape ideas and influence power. You will learn to analyse the choices media makes in language (and beyond) and uncover the hidden messages and beliefs woven into the ways those behind it communicate with us.
- Professional Practice in Language StudiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will focus on your future career, as well as taking part in a 10 day work placement. 5 days will be completed in a graduate level role, while the other 5 can be completed in a role of your choice that will be discussed with your tutor. The module will also involve considering the role of language in different workplace contexts. This might include looking at advertising, language and power, and clinical communication. We will also help you to enhance your employability by prov
- Forensic LinguisticsOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the field of forensic linguistics. You will learn how to analyse language as forensic evidence for crimes such as sexual assault, terrorism, murder and hate crimes. Applying your knowledge of linguistics, you will also look at how language is used in the justice system, from police interviews to language in the courtroom.
- Child Language AcquisitionOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn about children's language and literacy development. By the end of the module you will be able to perform a fine-grained analysis of children's writing at various stages of literacy development. You will finish the module with a good understanding of what the reading and writing that children do at various ages and stages tells us about their literacy development. You will also learn about contextual issues that impact on children's literacy development, such as the
- PsycholinguisticsOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop your awareness of the psychological underpinnings of language knowledge and use. You will learn about spoken and written language comprehension from the smallest units (phonemes and graphemes) to the biggest (sentence-level and pragmatic processing). You will also learn about the cognitive processes which underpin language production, as well as specialist weeks on topics such as emotional language and artificial intelligence. You will gain hands-on experience of
Year 3 3 modules
- Language Attitudes and DiscriminationOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn about the wide variety of ways attitudes to language use and language learning impact on society and individuals. We consider language hierarchies, what is known as the Complaint Tradition, and explore the notion of the Monolingual Habitus. Through these explorations, we consider how language discrimination arises in multiple contexts, and explore the potential role of the applied linguist in creating social change.
- Child PhonologyOptional20 credits
Module details
This module introduces you to key theories of child language acquisition, with a focus on the acquisition of speech sounds. We will take workshop approach to learning about how children acquire and produce speech sounds, the typical phonological processes seen in children, and how these articulations move towards the adult system over time. You will also learn to use specialist language acquisition applications and acoustic analysis software.
- British Accents and DialectsOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn about the lexical, morphological, syntactic, phonetic and phonological features of British accents and dialects. You will apply prior knowledge of phonetics, phonology and gr
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course places language at its centre, how we use it, how it shapes meaning, and how it has changed across time. You'll usually start with foundations in literary close reading and critical analysis across poetry, prose and drama, alongside introduction to the key ideas critics work with. As you progress, you'll study literature in its historical contexts, from medieval writing through to contemporary global anglophone texts, and develop practical writing skills through workshop-based modules. In your final years, you'll choose specialist options such as creative writing, Shakespeare and early modern literature, contemporary fiction, critical theory, world literature, or publishing pathways, and complete an extended independent research project. Throughout, you'll build confidence in analysing how language works at every level.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you're curious about language itself, not just how to use it, but *why* it works the way it does. You enjoy close analysis, spotting patterns in how people communicate, and thinking about language as a system shaped by culture and history. You may come from a strong humanities background, or you might be returning to study after time away; the foundation year is designed to bring you to the same starting point as your peers. Expect to develop practical skills in research and linguistics alongside your analytical thinking. If you're drawn to understanding human communication in depth, whether for further study, professional linguistics roles, or simply intellectual curiosity, this degree offers that pathway.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 85% of graduates from English and Literature courses are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those in work, 55% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings across the field start at £23,000–£30,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £24,650–£34,800 after five years (these figures reflect national Labour and Earnings Outcomes data). Linguistics graduates move into roles in education, publishing, media, communication, public service and research, areas where analytical and written communication skills are valued. Many continue to postgraduate study in linguistics, applied language, or related disciplines.
University & format
York St John University is a university based at its main campus in York. This is a 4-year full-time honours degree taught in English. The course is a recognised UK degree-awarding qualification. The university received a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Most students entering the course recently held A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 86% |
| another higher-education qualification | 6% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 5% |
| an Access course | 4% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at York St John University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What English & Literature graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £22,000 | £18,000 – £26,500 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £20,000 | £17,000 – £24,000 | 70 |
| 5 years after | £26,000 | £21,000 – £30,500 | 75 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in english & literature · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs English & Literature nationally
National figures for English & Literature graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with English & Literature courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,436 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 35; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 4 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How English & Literature graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where English & Literature graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Publishers
- Media & broadcasters
- Marketing & PR agencies
- Charities & public sector
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit English & Literature graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £22,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 86.4% · in work or study 85% · continued 80%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John University
Language and area studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around YSJ Main Campus
2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is English & Literature right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £14,900 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
English & Literature at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year
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