Skip to main content

English Studies - Foundation Degree (Progression from Cert HE)

Summary

English degrees open up a wealth of options when it comes to career choice. Graduates go into a diverse range of industries and job roles are similarly varied. There are directly related fields like copywriting, teaching and journalism as well as positions in business which require the critical thinking and advanced writing skills that these qualifications help you develop.

Our newly developed Foundation Degree in English Studies is designed to allow you to explore English Language, Literature and Professional Writing and its application in a world where language is increasingly fluid, changing, and crucial in the workplace.

You will study in detail how language works within a variety of texts and contexts and how it can be utilised to solve real-world issues in contemporary society. To complement this, you will acquire advanced skills in professional and technical writing, allowing you to express your opinion and creative ideas for a range of purposes.

Your critical thinking and analytical skills will also inform your own creative direction and allow you to assimilate a technical and stylistic understanding which will allow you to refine your personal writing style.

Enrolling on this course will give you access to creative, dynamic and practical environment that provides cutting edge subject knowledge alongside professional skills for a range of careers.

  • Course code SM1HE0007
  • UCAS code Q302
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Wednesday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
07 Sep 2026
University Centre
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This degree is ideal for students wishing to embark on careers such as teaching in primary, secondary, further and higher education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), communication support worker, communications officer, librarians, learning resource advisers and library, arts and culture administration assistants, software engineer, journalism, advertising, careers in media including digital/social media, marketing and website design, digital copyrighting, writing/creative writing, writing for television, theatre and stage, publishing, editing, proofreading, writing for business, management and leadership roles, public relations and communications, speech therapy, applied linguistics or research and academic writing related careers.

Next steps at B&FC

The BA (Hons) Top up in English Studies, is the next academic step students can take and is available only to those who have successfully completed this Foundation Degree programme.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Successful completion of the English Studies - Certificate of Higher Education is a pre-requisite of entry onto the programme.

Applicants will be invited to take part in an informal discussion with the programme team, where you can learn more about the programme, prior to an offer being made. 

If you are a non-standard student, who has not followed the traditional routes to higher education, we can consider your application on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who can demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis.

Qualification obtained

FdA English Studies

Fees and funding

Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding, including additional financial support for those on low incomes, with dependent children or adults or with disabilities.

Extra costs and equipment

No special equipment is required as a full range of IT is available within the Learning Resource Centre for enrolled students. Students may wish to purchase a computer (desktop or laptop) as all assessments are submitted electronically and the relevant software can be provided by the College free of charge

What will I learn?

Modules at Level 4 (Mandatory)

Writing for Stage Page and Self   

Reading and Analysis Introduction to Literature 

Professional and Academic Skills in Humanities

How Language Works Introducing Linguistics

Literacies for Life

World Literature

 

Modules at Level 5 (Mandatory)

Work Based Research Project

Professional and Technical Writing Skills

The Power of English Language Meaning and Communication

Contemporary Approaches to Literature

Language Matters Phonetics, Phonology and Phonics

Psychology of Communication

 

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Throughout the degree the team organise a range of field trips including the theatre and exhibitions.  Guest speakers are invited and these make a valuable contribution to the programme.  There are no additional costs for these field trips.

There are no placement requirements.

  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Work Based Research Project SM5MD248 20 No
    Professional and Technical Writing Skills SM5MD249 20 No
    The Power of English Language Meaning and Communication SM5MD250 20 No
    Investigating Classical and Contemporary Literature SM5MD251 20 No
    Language Acquisition SM5MD252 20 No
    Psychology of Communication SM5MD253 20 No

How will I learn?

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

 

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 0 273 0
Independent 0 897 0
Placement 0 30 0
Total 0 1200 0

How will I be assessed?

You will study the following modules and will be assessed through a range of assessment methods including essays, presentations, posters, written reflections, creative portfolio, annotated bibliography and reports.

Level 4 Modules

Professional and Academic Skills in Humanities 60% coursework, 40% practical

How Language Works Introducing Linguistics 100% coursework

Writing for Stage Page and Self 100% coursework

Literacies for Life 100% coursework

World Literature 100% coursework

 

Level 5 Modules

Work Based Research Project 30% Practical, 70% coursework

Professional and Technical Writing Skills 100% coursework

The Power of English Language, Meaning and Communication 100% Coursework

Contemporary Approaches to Literature 30% Practical, 70% Coursework

Language Matters Phonetics, Phonology and Phonics 100% coursework

Psychology of Communication 100% coursework

 

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 0% 80% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%