Bachelor's Programme in English Studies

English plays a central role in global official communication, as well as in popular culture, media, advertising, and public spaces. It is the first language of hundreds of millions of people and a second or foreign language for many more. Both globally and locally, strong English skills are essential for successful intercultural, personal, and strategically integrated communication across various levels of society.

The aim of the programme is to ensure students gain both breadth and depth in the subject, with a well-balanced mix of liberal arts and vocationally oriented courses, tailored to a dynamic job market. Students will engage with a wide range of topics in linguistics, literary studies, culture, and academic communication in speech and writing, with clear progression. The programme also includes career-focused modules, an optional internship, and opportunities for exchange studies.

In addition to courses also offered as freestanding courses and those with a professional focus, students take programme-specific specialisation courses. These, along with the tailored career-oriented modules, form the core of the programme and provide added value compared to taking freestanding courses. The programme format promotes long-term stability, continuity, predictability, and social cohesion within the student cohort.

During the programme, students acquire skills applicable in various fields, including language consultancy in business and public administration, tourism, marketing, culture and education, communication, and translation. Combined with complementary studies in other disciplines, the programme may also lead to professional qualifications such as teacher or librarian. It prepares students for both English-speaking and multilingual work environments, especially if they are proficient in other languages or combine English with studies in additional languages.

The programme comprises a minimum of four semesters of full-time English studies in literature and linguistics, with specialisation in one of these areas, qualifying students for further studies at the Second cycle level.

The programme leads to a Degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in English (*Filosofie kandidatexamen med huvudområdet Engelska*).

The programme consists of six semesters of full-time study, of which at least four semesters are dedicated to English. The programme begins in the autumn semester. Courses are primarily delivered on campus, but a selected few offered in hybrid format. There is also an opportunity to complete the second semester at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.

The courses included in the programme fall into six categories:

1. Courses in English literary studies (introductory, intermediate, and in-depth levels, taught jointly with corresponding freestanding courses)
2. Courses in English linguistics (introductory, intermediate, and in-depth levels, taught jointly with corresponding freestanding courses)
3. Courses in English literary studies and linguistics that are not offered as freestanding courses
4. Courses that provide in-depth level specialization in English or broadening in another subject
5. Internship course (which may be conducted abroad)
6. Independent academic project (Bachelor’s thesis)

Semesters 1, 2, and 6 consist of core courses in English at the introductory, intermediate, and in-depth levels. These courses cover literature and linguistics—often in combination with cultural studies—and culminate in a Bachelor’s thesis in one of these areas. Semesters 3 and 5 feature programme-specific specialization courses at the in-depth level. These are designed to build a unique professional profile and include the opportunity for a workplace internship at a site of your choice. Semester 4 offers a mobility window for studying abroad. Alternatively, you may choose to take additional courses in English or other subjects at the department, university, or other institutions in Sweden. The courses are primarily campus-based, with a selected few offered in hybrid format. There is also an option to complete the second semester at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK.

Several of the specialization courses have a strong professional orientation, with the internship course being the most prominent example. Other courses focus on the adaptability of English in diverse cultural and professional contexts—both locally and globally—and foster the development of intercultural communication skills. These courses also integrate linguistic theory with digital tools, corpus analysis, and AI technologies to enhance students’ communicative and analytical abilities, particularly in writing and language consultancy. Students also explore the significance of various literary themes, enriching their capacity to understand and express complex environmental and social ideas.

Together, the courses in the programme build a rich skill set—from clear and persuasive communication to innovative problem-solving, literary analysis, and ethically grounded global engagement. At the same time, they ensure that students are well equipped to navigate the digital transformations shaping today’s world.

This unique combination of academic and applied learning offers not only personal growth but also solid preparation for further academic study and a wide range of future career paths.

Semester 1

English: Introductory Course (30 credits)

This course provides students with foundational knowledge and skills in the English language, as well as increased familiarity with English-language literature and culture. It also introduces students to a scholarly approach to language and literary studies. Additionally, the course lays the groundwork for understanding sustainable development and developing transferable skills.

Semester 2

English: Intermediate Course (30 credits) (Recommended to be taken at the University of Sussex in Brighton)

The course components aim to enhance students’ linguistic, communicative, literary, and cultural competence through a scientific lens. It also continues the development of students’ general academic and professional skills.

Semester 3

Programme-Specific Specialization Course I (30 credits)

This semester allows students to explore corpus stylistics and theoretically grounded literary analysis. They also examine the environmental and social implications of different approaches to literary texts, fulfilling the requirements of a sustainability-related course.

In addition, students study professional communication in English and career planning in a dynamic job market.

Semester 4

Students may choose to broaden their studies in another subject, deepen their specialization in English through elective courses, or study abroad.

Semester 5

Programme-Specific Specialization Course II (30 credits)

Students engage with theories relevant to language consultancy, such as sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and discourse analysis. They also study the role of English in various professional, social, cultural, and geographical contexts, and the linguistic challenges of audience adaptation in both mono- and multilingual environments, across different media and communication channels.

The course also addresses the increasing use of digital tools and AI technologies in academic and professional settings—such as research, teaching, language editing, and business communication—grounded in English linguistics.

Students are offered the opportunity to complete an internship at a workplace of their choice, applying their language skills in a professional setting and exploring potential career paths in Sweden or abroad.

Students who do not wish to or cannot arrange an internship may instead take other courses offered by the department.

Semester 6

During this semester, students are given the opportunity to specialize in either literary studies or linguistics.

Option 1

In-depth Course in English, Literary Studies Focus (15 credits)

In this course, students engage in discussion and critical reflection on key literary theoretical and methodological issues, as well as on the role of literature and literary studies in modern society. They also explore a specific thematic focus. As the course contributes to the completion of an independent academic project, it includes a critical examination of the foundations and conditions of scholarly writing, along with opportunities for structured reflection on the student’s own academic approach.

Bachelor’s Thesis in English, Literary Studies (15 credits)

The main objective of the thesis course is for the student to learn how to write and defend an independent academic paper in proficient English. In consultation with a supervisor, the student learns to plan a literary study and then carry out and present the investigation independently. The student is also expected to defend their thesis in a seminar and critically and constructively review another student’s thesis.

Option 2

In-depth Course in English, Linguistics Focus (15 credits)

In this course, the structure and function of the English language are analysed and discussed from various linguistic perspectives, such as semantics, syntax, discourse analysis, and sociolinguistics. In connection with discussions on linguistic theories, the course also provides an overview of current methods in language research. As the module contributes to the completion of an independent academic project, it includes a critical examination of the foundations and conditions of scholarly writing, along with opportunities for structured reflection on the student’s own academic approach.

Bachelor’s Thesis in English, Linguistics (15 credits)

The main objective of the thesis course is for the student to learn how to write and defend an independent academic paper in proficient English. In consultation with a supervisor, the student learns to plan a linguistic investigation and then carry out and present the study independently. The student is also expected to defend their thesis in a seminar and critically and constructively review another student’s thesis.

General Objectives for the Degree of Bachelor

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

1) demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the field, knowledge of applicable methodologies in the field, specialized study in some aspect of the field as well as awareness of current research issues.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

2) demonstrate the ability to search for, gather, evaluate and critically interpret the relevant information for a formulated problem and also discuss phenomena, issues and situations critically

3) demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously and to complete tasks within predetermined time frames

4) demonstrate the ability to present and discuss information, problems and solutions in speech and writing and in dialogue with different audiences, and

5) demonstrate the skills required to work autonomously in the main field of study.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

6) demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues

7) demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and

8) demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning.

Local objectives

Knowledge and Understanding

For a Degree of Bachelor, the student shall

1) demonstrate substantial knowledge and understanding in the main field of English with regard to language, literature, and culture, and

2) demonstrate relevant knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the field, as well as applicable research methods, specialized study in some aspect of the field as well as awareness of current research issues.

Competence and Skills

For a Degree of Bachelor, the student shall

3) demonstrate the ability to search for, gather, analyse, evaluate, and critically interpret the relevant information in relation to a specific problem, and to apply correct referencing and citation techniques in the process,

4) demonstrate the ability to critically discuss phenomena, issues, and situations within the main field of study, and to derive possible practical implications from them,

5) demonstrate the ability to independently identify, formulate, and solve problems using concepts and methods from linguistics and literary studies,

6) demonstrate the ability to complete tasks within predetermined time frames.

7) demonstrate the ability to present and discuss information, problems, and solutions both orally and in writing in dialogue with various audiences, and to express themselves with precision in correct and idiomatic English adapted to genre, context, and audience, and

8) demonstrate the skills required to work independently within the field of study by applying subject-specific knowledge.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Bachelor, the student shall

9) demonstrate the ability to make assessments within the main field of study with consideration informed by relevant disciplinary, societal, and ethical aspects, including reflection on the role of the English language both locally and globally,

10) demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility individuals bear for how it is used, with the aim of enabling sustainable societal development, and

11) demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and to develop their competence within the main field of study.

The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement of Education at the University of Gothenburg (Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet).

A student who follows the programme at the prescribed pace is guaranteed a general place.