The module will provide an overview of English in education before focusing on more specialist areas. This is a micro-credential module, taking place over 10-11 weeks and designed to work around you.
Indicative content will include:
the history of English as a discipline
the nature and impact of government-led reform
grammar teaching in schools
the literary canon and school curricula
reading literature at school and at home
assessment and English
reading literature and empathy
children’s literature
literature, education and technology
This is a level 7 module (equivalent level of study to a postgraduate or masters degree) worth 15 credits.
Please note the availability of this module is subject to a minimum recruitment threshold.
Why Language and Literature in Education?
Learn from the best
Delivered by world-leading stylistics researchers with global academic profiles and strong practitioner links
Designed around you
Our flexible, career-focused CPD courses are designed to fit around your professional life
Research-led
Grounded in nationally and internationally recognised expertise
Objectives and outcomes
Allows you to critically examine historical and contemporary issues and debates related to the place of English as an intellectual discipline and academic subject in (primarily secondary) education.
Explore the ways that English is actualised as a subject, how and why its nature has been contested and how government policy, research and practitioner enquiry have all influenced various manifestations of the subject.
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
Demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding on English in education
Analyse a range of issues connected to government policy around English as a subject and how this has influenced its framing in schools together with critical analysis of the impact both of policies and of more grass roots led reform
Critically examine the kinds of reading practices that take place in school and how these relate to reading in other contexts
Demonstrate critical awareness in responding to literature written for children
Speak to our Admissions Team
If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:
2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree in English language, literature or a related subject.
Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University (see international students tab below for more information)
Fees
UK students (2026/27)
£700
More information on fees
The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.
Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.
There will be a weekly 2-hour online seminar, with an additional 1 hour (minimum) of online, self-paced learning activities.
There will be a twilight delivery of these classes, to fit around you
Seminars will enable you to reflect upon the issues raised in your own reading and will draw on a range of teaching styles: group discussions, text analysis, critical readings and debating key ideas. You will develop your own theoretical and practical approaches to issues and debates.
You will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout the course
Assessment
Assessment is on an individual basis. Coursework is used to test knowledge and understanding of the texts and topics studied. The first assignment is an analysis of an issue, concept or debate in English education drawing on policy documentation and research literature. The second tests students’ ability to critically reflect on a short unit of teaching activities around a key theme, topic or area of study.
Hello, what would you like to ask us?
Hello! We are a team of current Aston University students from various parts of the world, studying a wide range of postgraduate subjects.
Feel free to ask us anything about studying at Aston University.
Our courses offer you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills and/or develop your career. In addition, our ethos is to equip you to make a real difference in your field.
The programme offers excellent subject knowledge enhancement for teachers of English in schools, and provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate studies or further research in any aspect of English.
Be part of our community
Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.
Transcripts must indicate some studies of English.
Applicants must also provide evidence of mathematics – grade C/4 or above at GCSE (or equivalent)
You will also need to provide:
A professional reference
If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2-3 years), we will ask for an academic reference
If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference
An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
A completed application form.
Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study but also a great place to live.
Qualifications in your country
For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:
Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.
Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.
If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.
We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.
The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications.
Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.
