Open University

Diploma of Higher Education in English Language

Knowledge and understanding

You’ll be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of:

• The history of English, its contemporary diversity, its role as a global language, and its use in a range of contexts in various parts of the world.
• Debates surrounding the historical and contemporary position of English about other languages or language varieties, including an appreciation of the significance of intercultural competence in modern society.
• The nature of linguistic evidence and the different methods used in the collection, description and analysis of language data.
• How language and literature both reflect and influence cultural change and difference, and the way texts are written and received within literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts.
• How people use English, as a first or additional language, in a range of social, cultural and educational contexts.

Cognitive skills

You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to:

• Synthesise information and ideas drawn from several sources, and critically evaluate alternative explanations, arguments and theories.
• Employ appropriate literacy strategies (both digital and non-digital) to appreciate, interrogate and create a wide variety of written, spoken and multimodal texts.
• Describe and analyse texts using appropriate linguistic and critical terminology.

Practical and professional skills

You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to:

• Reflect critically on your own linguistic experiences and relationship to the English language.
• Identify and evaluate conflicting arguments, including recognising the significance of different cultural and value positions in these arguments.

Key skills

You’ll be able to:

• Read, synthesise, critically evaluate, and appropriately communicate information using a number of sources and drawing on relevant theoretical frameworks as appropriate.
• Study and work independently using a variety of appropriate media, including digital tools.
• Make appropriate use of feedback to improve your performance.
• Understand and interpret basic statistical data in the form of graphs, tables and diagrams.
• Produce appropriate texts for a wide range of academic and other purposes.

This diploma has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• Stage 1 combines an introductory arts and humanities module with a choice of beginning to study the English language or learning about cultures throughout history.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll choose two from modules in English literature, English language and creative writing.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll start your diploma with:

• Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)

You'll complete Stage 1 with either:

• Cultures (A112)
• Introducing English language studies (L101)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll choose two from:

• Creative writing (A215)
• English in the world (L201)
• Literature matters (A240)
• Telling stories: the novel and beyond (A233)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

Employers greatly value the kinds of skills that successful completion of a Diploma of Higher Education in English will develop. You’ll learn to evaluate and assimilate information in constructing an argument; and acquire skills of critical and flexible thinking, analysis, communication and creativity that are much in demand in the workplace. You’ll also sharpen your IT and writing skills. These are key skills in complex organisations and are greatly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering or changing careers.

Career relevance

Study of the arts and humanities requires an understanding of human activities in diverse cultural environments and historical contexts that will have relevance to a variety of careers such as:

• In cultural and creative industries
• Education
• Museum work
• Public administration, local government, the civil service, art institutions, and social services
• Advertising, journalism, publishing, and public relations
• Business, banking and retail
• Law
• Charities and campaigning

Other careers

In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.