At Worcester, you’ll develop skills employers value, such as research, communication, and problem-solving, and put them into practice through optional work placements. You’ll also have the chance to gain the internationally recognised CELTA qualification, opening doors to teaching English at home or abroad.
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Overview
Studying English Language and Sociology together offers a unique insight into how people communicate, behave and interact within society. This joint degree explores the relationship between language, identity and social structures, so you can understand not just how language varies, but why those variations matter in everyday life.
Through this combination, you’ll explore how social factors such as class, gender, region, culture and technology shape the ways people speak, write and interact. You’ll also learn how to apply key sociological theories (covering inequality, social hierarchies, institutions and group behaviour) to understand how language is constructed. Together, these approaches help you understand how features like dialect and pronunciation are shaped by factors such as power, status and belonging.
As you progress, you can explore the areas which interest you most. You might explore how language expresses power and identity, how social groups shape communication or how digital media influences interaction. Sociology offers the chance to study issues such as social justice, culture and community. This broader understanding helps you interpret language not just as a system of words but as a social tool that both reflects and reinforces the world around us.
If teaching English as a foreign language appeals to you, you can also work towards the internationally recognised CELTA qualification as part of your degree, preparing you to teach English at home or abroad.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have a deep understanding of language and society in theory and practice. You’ll also develop transferable skills in research, communication and problem solving - opening doors to careers in teaching, publishing, media and linguistics.
Work placement
In your second year, you’ll have the option to take a work placement module, giving you the chance to apply your skills in a professional environment. We’ll guide you through the preparation process, including developing a personal plan, creating a CV and learning how to approach employers.
With approximately 36 hours spread over 12 weeks, placements are flexible and designed to fit alongside your studies. They’re a great way to build confidence, gain experience and explore future career paths. Previous placements have taken place in schools, charities, community groups and arts and heritage organisations.
Course content
During this course, you'll study a mix of mandatory and optional modules, allowing you to build your core knowledge and then focus on the areas that interest you most.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.
Optional modules will run if enough students choose to study them. It is not guaranteed that all modules will be offered every year.
Careers
Graduates from this course are highly valued in careers that require strong communication skills and an understanding of the diverse society we live in. Throughout your degree, you’ll gain an in‑depth understanding of how language works and influences audiences. This skill is sought after across a wide range of industries.
This degree could be the first step toward a career as a:
- Teacher
- Social researcher
- Community development worker
- Lexicographer
- Speech and language therapist
- Publishing copy editor
- Linguistics researcher
The course is designed to develop your transferable skills, with opportunities to register for a work‑experience module, volunteer with local and regional organisations, or complete a semester abroad to broaden your experience.
In addition, the CELTA Award built into the course structure equips graduates with the qualifications and practical skills needed to teach English as a Foreign Language both in the UK and overseas.
Opportunities to progress
You’ll have a range of exciting pathways to continue your professional or academic development. If you’re interested in further study, you could advance your expertise with our English (MA) or pursue research-focused study through our Sociology MRes.
If you’re inspired to move into education, you can train to teach at Worcester through our one‑year Primary and Secondary PGCEs, both designed to support your transition into a rewarding teaching career.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of guided lectures, independent study and one-to-one tutoring sessions.
We'll focus on building your research and communication skills through essays, projects, group work and presentations.
Teaching and assessment contents
You'll be taught through a combination of, lectures, seminars and practical tasks. Lectures provide an overview of key points on a topic presented in a concise and coherent way. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of the topics covered in lectures, and practical tasks are focused on developing subject specific skills (such as interview recording or data transcription).
In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.
Meet the team
Our experienced lecturers are passionate about their subject and dedicated to helping you succeed.
Dr Luke Devine
Luke is currently Course Leader for Sociology. His teaching specialisms include sociology of religion, political philosophy, antisemitism, Freud and psychoanalytic sociology, and Jewish history and literature.
His research is primarily focused on fin de siècle Anglo-Jewish literature, particularly Amy Levy, on representations of Shekhinah in Jewish mystical literature, and on Sociology of Religion.
Dr Jenny Lewin-Jones
Jenny teaches in Sociology, with particular interests in environmental and digital sociology, education, and emotions. Her research focuses on the role of language in social change.
Katie Mansfield
I'm interested in how language shapes our everyday lives, from how we talk with friends, to how children are assessed in school, to how people are judged in wider society. In my teaching and research, I focus particularly on how language and social class interact, and how this can create or reinforce inequalities in education. A lot of my work looks at what happens in real-life classrooms and playgrounds - how children use language, how teachers respond to it, and how current education policy in England shapes ideas about what counts as 'good' or 'correct' language.
I'm passionate about helping students understand that language is not just a set of fixed rules, but a powerful social tool that affects identity, opportunity, and fairness. I am particularly committed to widening participation and inclusive teaching, and I aim to create a learning environment that is supportive, engaging and rooted in real-world, cutting edge data and examples.
Dr Luke Devine
Luke is currently Course Leader for Sociology. His teaching specialisms include sociology of religion, political philosophy, antisemitism, Freud and psychoanalytic sociology, and Jewish history and literature.
His research is primarily focused on fin de siècle Anglo-Jewish literature, particularly Amy Levy, on representations of Shekhinah in Jewish mystical literature, and on Sociology of Religion.
Dr Jenny Lewin-Jones
Jenny teaches in Sociology, with particular interests in environmental and digital sociology, education, and emotions. Her research focuses on the role of language in social change.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 104
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | BCC |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DMM |
| T-level | Merit |
We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
In 2026/27 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £9,790 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
In 2026/27 the standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £17,200 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
English Language and Sociology BA (Hons) - QL33
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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