A language and communications degree that includes how to describe, analyse and research language; English as communication; the relationship between language, society and culture; teaching and learning; languages in multicultural communities; psychology, processing and disabilities.
KEY BENEFITS
- The department has an international reputation for research in important areas of applied linguistics, eg English as an international language, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition
- Friendly and supportive learning environment with approachable teaching staff
- Central location gives easy access to major libraries and many leading educational institutions in the London area
- Excellent library and IT facilities for students
- Offers an excellent platform for those who wish to pursue a career in language research, teaching, the mass media and communications industries, and language therapy.
UCAS code
PQ91
Programme type
Single honours
Duration
Three years
Location
Waterloo Campus
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Social Science and Public Policy
Department of Education and Professional Studies
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
Department of Education & Professional Studies
Franklin-Wilkins Building, Waterloo Bridge Wing
King's College London
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo Road
London SE1 9NN
Email
Tel
020 7848 1403
Fax
020 7848 7200
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
The programme is for those with an interest in the English language and linguistics, including some or all of the following:
- How to describe, analyse and research language
- The study of English as a medium of communication in the contemporary world, eg the English used in social networking sites, texting and instant messaging
- The relationship between language, society and culture
- The teaching and learning of English as a foreign and/or second language
- The use of English and other languages in multicultural communities
- The psychology of language, language processing and language disabilities.
Assessment in the final year includes a dissertation based on an investigative study on a topic of the student's choice.
ABOUT THE Department of Education and Professional Studies
CAREERS
BA English Language & Communication can lead to a career in language research, in the mass media and communications industries, in working with people with language disabilities, in teaching, or to professional roles within multilingual communities. A detailed understanding of how language operates in and shapes the modern world will open the door to a wide range of career opportunities. Recent graduates have found employment as • Assistant Accounts Executive, Lexis PR • Broadcast Journalist, ITN • British Heart Foundation, Communications Intern • Freelance Editor • Freelance Journalist • Graduate Teacher Training Programme, a secondary school • Cognita Ltd, Online Journalist • Teacher (FE English), FE college.
Students taking the Foundation Degree /BA in Education Studies will gain a deeper understanding of their work in school. Students formalise and build on existing skills while gaining a qualification that will enhance their employment opportunities. The Foundation Degree/BA in Education Studies can also be the first step to a Postgraduate Certificate of Education and to Qualified Teacher Status.
TEACHING STYLE
Teaching methods include lectures, small group discussions and problem solving, as well as personal dissertation supervision. Many modules are informed by the research specialisms of the staff who make a strong contribution to international research.. The majority of teaching will be face-to-face but this is supplmented by use of the King’s virtual learning environment.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
BA English Language & Communication students follow a common first-year programme which provides the foundation for a wider choice in the second and third years. Students then tend to focus on two of three key themes:
- language and linguistics
- psycholinguistics and education
- sociolinguistics
Assessment is by both examination (about one third), and by coursework (two thirds). Types of coursework include essays, reports, data analysis, oral presentations, mini-projects and a third year dissertation based on the student’s own research.
Education Studies Foundation Degree / BA students follow a common two-year programme, with 8 modules in the first year and 6 in the second year. Assessment is by a range of different coursework assignments. There are no examinations.
LOCATION
The department is based in the Franklin-Wilkins Building, Waterloo Bridge Wing with all the facilities offered by the College easily available and the cultural attractions of the South Bank on its doorstep. The on-site library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House.
Currently, students study the following core modules. If there are option modules available the current choices are also shown. King's reviews its option courses on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the School/department for further advice.
YEAR 1
Students study the following core modules.
YEAR 1 CORE
Language & Communication (30 credits)
Analysing English 1 (30 credits)
Introduction to Sociolinguistics (30 credits)
Language Learning (15 credits)
Philosophy of Language (15 credits)
YEAR 2
Students should take the core modules plus enough option modules to total 120 credits.
YEAR 2 CORE
Research Methods in Applied Language Studies (30 credits)
Plus two or three of the following three core courses:
English Lexis (15 credits)
English Grammar (15 credits)
English Phonetics & Phonology (15 credits)
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
Psycholinguistics 1 (15 credits)
Language Teaching (30 credits)
World Englishes (15 credits)
Analysing Spoken Discourse (15 credits)
Multilingualism & Languages in Contact (15 credits)
Language & Literacy (15 credits)
The Film & the Book (15 credits)
Language Attitudes and ideology (15 credits)
Working with Texts (15 credits)
A Modern Foreign Language (15 credits)
YEAR 3
Students take the core dissertation module plus enough option modules to 120 credits.
YEAR 3 CORE
Dissertation in Applied Linguistics (30 credits)
YEAR 3 OPTIONS
Language Culture & Society (30 credits)
Psycholinguistics 2 (30 credits)
Analysing Written Discourse (15 credits)
Language Policy & Planning (15 credits)
Contemporary Issues in Applied Linguistics (15 credits)
Contemporary Issues in Language Teaching (15 credits)
Literacies in Theory & Practice (15 credits)
Exploring Language Corpora (15 credits)
Language and New Media (15 credits)
A Modern Foreign Language (15 credits)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
96+ ATAR, or an OP of band 3 for Queensland with high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1 including 1 in English (Language or Literature)
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D'Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 17/20 including 8 or 17 in English (Language or Literature)
Brazil
Brazil
High School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including English (Language or Literature)
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5 including 5.5 in English (Language or Literature)
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 85% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 85% at five grade 12 4U subjects. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 31. Including high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including English (Language or Literature)
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination with high marks in English (Language or Literature) plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80%.
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 18 including high marks in English (Language or Literature) plus at least an additional foundation/Access year
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1 including 1 in English (Language or Literature)
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 10 including 10 in English (Language or Literature)
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5,(including grade 5 in English (Language or Literature)) and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 6 including 6 in English (Language or Literature)
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
Baccalaureat with 13 including 13 in English (Language or Literature)
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.5 overall including 1.5 in English (Language or Literature)
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAB including A in English (Language or Literature)
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolyterion with 18 including 18 in English (Language or Literature)
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5 including 5 in English (Language or Literature)
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian university (Both require high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkar) with 16 OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB (Both require A grade A-Level in English (Language or Literature)
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 with grade A in English (Language or Literature)
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90 with high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at AAB OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year. Including high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 8 with high marks in English (Language or Literature) plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 with high marks in English (Language or Literature) plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D'Etudes Secondaires with Tres Bien including Tres Bien in English (Language or Literature)
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAB including A in English (Language or Literature)
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of AAB. Including English (Language or Literature)
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 including 9 in English (Language or Literature)
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 7.5 including 7.5 in English (Language or Literature)
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects,including Excellent in English (Language or Literature)
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB wtih A in English. All require high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5 including grade 5 in English (Language or Literature)
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A with high marks in English (Language or Literature) plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university
Poland
Matura
Matura with 80% in extended level subjects with high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 with high marks in English (Language or Literature)
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 8 including 8 in English (Language or Literature)
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 including 5 in English (Language or Literature) plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB (All require an A or high marks in English (Language or Literature))
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 2 including 2 in English (Language or Literature)
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5 including 5 in English (Language or Literature)
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAAAB including A in English (Language or Literature)
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 8 overall including 8 in English (Language or Literature)
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG including MVG in English (Language or Literature)
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5 including 5 in English (Language or Literature)
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 with high marks in English (Language or Literature) plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university
United Kingdom
3 A levels & 1 AS level
AAB
2 A levels & 3 AS level
AA at A-level plus BB at AS-level
Compulsory subjects
Grade A at A-level English Language, Literature or Literature and Language combined required.
12 unit A level in vocational subjects
Not acceptable
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access
Access to Humanities (or similar) Diploma with the maximum award of 60 credits overall and 45 at level three. Supplementary information and achievement eg percentage mark/scores for certain credits/subjects will be required
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 M2 including D3 in English (Language or Literature)
BTEC
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
A2 A2 A2 B3 B3 at Highers including grade A in English (Language or Literature)
International Baccalaureate
36 points overall including HL6 in English (Language or Literature)
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including 80% in English (Language or Literature)
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 554 including 5 in English (Language or Literature) at grade 5. Or SAT with a total score of 1800 with at least 600 in each section or the ACT with a score of 27 plus 3 SAT-S including English with a score of 600 in each
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
All applications must be through UCAS and most conditional and unconditional offers are made on the basis of the UCAS form only. Some applicants are selected for interview. All offer holders and interviewees for the BA English Language and Communication programme are invited to one of two open afternoons in January and February during which they will meet current students and attend presentations about various components of the BA programme. This gives us the opportunity to discuss your interests in language study and enables you to find out more about the BA. The Department is likely to hold a taster day for Foundation Degree in Education Studies in June.