Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements English language: An IELTS 7, or equivalent, is required for applicants whose first language is not English. A level: Grades BBC-BCC. There are no specific subjects required but a modern or classical language, English Language, Psychology or Communication Studies would be an advantage. General Studies is welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer. Two AS-levels accepted in place of one A-level. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: English Language at minimum of grade C. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 30-28 points overall with at least 12 points at Higher level. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleBA Language, Literacy & Communication
Course descriptionCourse description
This course is unique in bringing together three inter-related areas that are essential in the contemporary world: language, literacy and communication. In your first year you take compulsory units which offer a background to each of the three disciplines. Topics covered include grammar, phonetics, reading and writing processes, intercultural and computer-mediated communication, social and historical aspects of language and literacy in society. This is accompanied by units designed to enhance your basic study and research skills. You will also have the opportunity to get to know your fellow students and tutors through a compulsory unit on Effective Group Work. This is run in the first few weeks of the course during which you study group processes and behaviour. You can also take free choice options in other departments or study a foreign language.
In Year 2, units include words and context; literacy and social development; mass media; ethnographic research and career management. In semester 2, no taught courses are timetabled. Instead you are given the opportunity to undertake a fieldwork project of your choice. It can take place in a European university as an ERASMUS exchange student with EU funding; in a place of work or study in the northwest, in liaison with the university's Career Management Service; or in other work or study settings, either in the UK or abroad. A career management unit is included to enable you to make the most of future work opportunities available to you.
In your final year, all units are optional. This allows you to tailor your curriculum according to your own interests and career aspirations. Possibilities include bilingualism; problems in learning to read; communicating with digital media; analysing discourse; adult literacy; participatory photography; film studies and special educational needs. Building on your Year 2 study placement, you have further opportunities to conduct research in preparing your final year dissertation. This may be on any topic which falls within the three degree disciplines and offers the chance for you to carry out in-depth study of a kind and in a subject area you find particularly rewarding.
Special features
2nd year study placement provides opportunities to travel abroad or gain experience in a work setting
A unique way to study the emerging field of Literacy alongside the more established areas of English Language and Communication.
A small year group (no more than 35 students) provides the chance to be part of a positive learning environment and develop close relations with fellow students and tutors.
Additional course information
What our students say
`The LLC course is so flexible, and teaches so many transferable skills, I'm sure I could go and do any career I choose.' (Bob Bardsley, Year 3 student).
`I think the LLC course has been really good for me individually, as it has been really pragmatic and flexible, with a wealth of modular opportunities.' (Sophie Hopkinson, Year 3 student).
'The best thing about studying Language, Literacy and Communication is that the material is up to date and relevant to the real world.' (Emily Jane Hughes, LLC Graduate).
Course content for year 2
Second year students conduct a Research Project which involves a short placement in a school, business or other organisation of their choice. Many students take advantage of the course's exchange programme links with universities in Switzerland (Zurich), Netherlands (Leiden) or Greece (Thessaloniki and Patras) to conduct their research abroad. We provide a small grant, institutional facilities (library and internet access, etc) at the hosting university, and arrange for all work to be supervised and submitted from overseas. Feedback from LLC students suggests that the opportunity to study abroad for part of their degree is a very popular aspect of the programme.
Career opportunities
The study of language and literacy offers knowledge and skills useful to support a variety of careers, both public and private sector, in management, personnel, the media, publishing, journalism, counselling or in social or development work. The course provides a foundation for a primary or secondary PGCE and work with second language learners and adult literacy. Areas of study relating to special needs education also support careers within charitable organisations that serve adults and children with disabilities. Recent graduates have accepted posts within companies such as British Telecom, NSPCC, Boots Plc (amongst others) and have taken up places on PGCE courses at a range of universities including the prestigious, Institute of Education in London.
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