Program Overview

A Pathway in English, Media, Drama and Writing is designed to develop strong foundations in design, critical thinking, and research.

In the First Year Pathway students complete the ARU first year of the degree, undertaking the same modules, in the same classes as students entering the University directly. Alongside the ARU modules, students entering through the First Year Pathway will have additional support and tuition from ARU College.

First Year

A First Year pathway is available for students who:

• Don’t meet the entry requirements to enter university level study directly (but hold equivalent to AS/A level studies)
• Feel that additional support at the start of university studies will help them stand a better chance of success
• Have been away from studies for a period of time
• Come from a different academic environment to that of the UK

If you fall into any of the above categories, choosing an undergraduate pathway at ARU College is the right decision. Depending on your academic needs here at ARU College we have two pathway entry points available, foundation and first year pathway.

Progressing from First Year

At ARU College we offer a first year or stage 2 level study. Either students will enter this pathway following completion of the foundation, or for students that have completed equivalent of A level study we also have an entry point at first year of a bachelor’s degree.

Upon completion of the first year, or Stage 2, you will seamlessly progress to the second year of your chosen degree with the University, and no longer be registered with ARU College.

BA(Hons) English Language and Linguistics

Our English and writing courses let you develop your own style of writing and explore facets of English language, literature and linguistics that fascinate you. And we give you industry insight through links with creative organisations.
Our film and media courses let you to explore the culture of communication, and develop your own style of media production – while focusing on the skills and knowledge valued by employers.
Discover how language shapes people’s ideas, attitudes and identities on our full-time English Language and Linguistics degree in Cambridge. Choose to study abroad for one semester, and receive ongoing support to find work placements. Become an expert communicator in a global language and impress employers worldwide, whichever career path you hope to follow.

• Explore the structure, development and social context of the English language in the UK and across the globe
• Learn how language shapes people’s identities, attitudes, ideas and opinions
• Explore your career interests on optional modules from teaching English to publishing, then try them for real on our work experience module
• Get a head start with our optional placement year
• Study abroad for one semester, and apply for funding to help cover the cost

On our BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics, you’ll dig beneath the surface of everyday language. You’ll look at the history of the English language and the relationships between English and other languages and explore how language develops and evolves. You’ll understand how meaning is influenced by context and how language produces and reflects cultural change and difference.
Along the way you’ll gain important research skills, including proposal writing and data analysis, while our optional modules will allow you to explore your own interests. You can choose from career-focused topics such as teaching English and journalistic writing, or topics which explore how images communicate meaning or how different modes of expression can create and challenge gender.
You can take an optional placement year between years 2 and 3 in a sector of your choice, giving you a head-start moving into the world of work. You can also learn a foreign language from beginner all the way to advanced.
At the end of the first year of your degree course, you can apply to study for the internationally recognised CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) alongside your BA (Hons). You will need to research and complete a language task and attend a group interview. The task and the interview will be used to check that you meet the entry requirements for the CELTA qualification, which are different from the course entry requirements.
If you are accepted onto the CELTA course, you must complete the syllabus for the CELTA, both the methodology and teaching practice modules, in one academic year. You’ll take part in supervised lesson planning, observation of experienced teachers and assessed teaching practice, with support and feedback from experienced CELTA tutors. Having successfully completed all elements of the course, you will be awarded the CELTA qualification. This qualification will enable you to start teaching English as a second or other language immediately.