Courses

The qualification can be offered to Learners from age 18. The Learners need to ensure that they have sufficient capability at the right level to undertake the learning and assessment.

English language requirements
The Qualifications have been designed to be accessible without artificial barriers that restrict access and progression:
• IELTS minimum 5.0- 6.5 overall with no fail.
• Minimum 3A Levels or equivalent qualification.
• Pass 5 GCSE subjects

We consider applicants:
• Who have demonstrated some ability and possess Qualifications at Level 3, for example, ‘A’ Levels or vocational awards.
• Who have spent some time in an organisational role and wish to develop their careers further.
• With professional experience looking to change careers through work-based learning.

• Becoming a Writer
This module is a practice-based course, taught by weekly two-hour workshop. Building on the study of the short story begun on ‘The Writer’s Art’, the module will explore diverse examples of this genre from the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Writers chosen for study will vary from year to year but might include work by Kazuo Ishiguro, Raymond Carver, Angela Carter, Katherine Mansfield, Thomas Hardy and Henry James.

• Communication, Interaction, Context
The focus of this module is on “language in inter-action”. It sets out to maximise awareness of the factors at play when we communicate with others. Language is used to ‘do’ things in communicative situations and we look at several theories that seek to explain how this is achieved, e.g. Grice’s (1989) Theory of Cooperation and Politeness Theory (Brown and Levinson 1987). We also explore how we understand what someone is saying to us when much of the language we use is ambiguous, implied or figurative.

• Genre Fiction: Building Worlds
Building compelling and convincing worlds is important in all fiction, but it is particularly crucial in writing genre fiction. When writing genre (or popular) fiction, writers must be critically aware of both the history of the genre and current trends in publishing in order to make their own narratives distinctive and ultimately sell-able. This module will examine two popular genres (such as fantasy, crime, sci-fi or romance).

• Writing for the screen
Writing for screen is an intensive 12 week course designed to introduce students to drama at level 4. Students will be introduced to all the elements of dramatic writing – dramatic action, narrative, structure, plotting and writing perfect scene hooks. Students will work practically in class, receiving weekly feedback on their work and developing their script to completion.

• Identity and Contemporary Writing
This creative and critical module explores a range of contemporary poetry and prose about identity. Broadly, the module examines material written in the late-twentieth and twenty-first century about identity positions, from race and gender to sexuality, dis/ability, class and so on. We will consider, both creatively and critically, how one writes about one’s own life, whether marginal or otherwise.

• Investigating Language
This module will give students on the English Language and Linguistics Programme the opportunity to develop a variety of skills necessary to be successful in their chosen modules and to thrive in a university environment. You will develop your skills of academic reading, writing, researching, analysing and communicating with others.

This course gives you the opportunity to start developing your career through professional work-based learning. You will be paid UK minimum wage for a 20hour a week placement for the duration of your course, and will also be awarded an accredited Level 6 professional qualification from a UK awarding body.

• On completion of your studies, you may be given a full-time graduate opportunity by your employer
• You may wish to further your studies by taking on an academic masters programme or a level 7 professional qualification
• You may also wish to start your own business through our enterprise education programme