English courses
Studying English at The Open University is an exciting way to expand your skills and knowledge. Depending on the course you choose, you can study stimulating literature from an exciting range of periods and settings, find out about how the English language is used in a variety of global contexts and develop your creative writing skills.
English
Degrees
- Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
- Internationally respected, universally understood.
- An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
- Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
- Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
English
Diplomas
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
- Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes?
English
Certificates
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
- Count it towards further qualifications such as a DipHE or honours degree.
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes?
Why study English with The Open University?
Studying English at The Open University will introduce you to new ideas and ways of seeing and develop your skills in effective reading, writing and critical analysis.
You will benefit from:
- Stimulating and highly regarded study materials exploring English literature and language in an accessible and enjoyable way.
- Teaching that is directly informed by our internationally recognised research.
- A choice of courses on English Literature and Language, with the option of also studying other disciplines, including Creative Writing.
- Programmes designed to take you forward in life, furthering your career prospects and deepening insights and knowledge.
- Joining some 11,000 students, who, every year, study OU English modules and qualifications.
Careers in English
Studying English will equip you with a highly adaptable set of skills important to a vast range of occupations. The qualities you will develop, such as critical thinking and communication skills, are much in demand in today’s competitive job market, and English is a discipline highly regarded by graduate employers.
An OU qualification in English could lead to a career in:
- Advertising, Public Relations Creative Industries
- Journalism and Publishing
- Government bodies and Arts institutions
- Education
- Human Resources, Legal Work, Banking, Retail
- Charities and Campaigning
Looking for something other than a qualification?
The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.
All English courses
Browse all the English courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.
See our full list of English courses
Email us
From exploring the right course for you to helping you register, our advisers can help.
Call us
As part of the OU’s response to Coronavirus, we have temporarily removed this option.
Please use the ‘Email us’ option to contact us.
Write to us at:
Student Recruitment
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
