English Language and Linguistics 

& Duals 

Module Choice Guidance

ELLU03 English Language and Linguistics (Single) module choice

Over the course of each academic year at Sheffield, you will need to study modules that equate to the value of 120 credits.

Single Honours English Language and Linguistics students take five compulsory (core) modules (80 credits in total)  at Level 1, taught over our two teaching semesters.

Semester 1 (Autumn)

EGH104 Varieties of English (20 credits)

EGH105 Sounds of English (10 credits)

EGH106 Structures of English (10 credits)


Semester 2 (Spring)

EGH107 History of English (20 credits)

EGH109 Linguistic Theory (20 credits)*

The core modules will be downloaded automatically to your record. 

You do not need to choose core modules.  


You can choose up to 40 credits from the following modules:

Semester 1 (Autumn)

EGH108 Early Englishes (20 credits)

Semester 2 (Spring)

EGH102 Exploring Literary Language (20 credits)**

Alternatively, you can take up to 40 credits of optional English modules or 40 credits of Guided level one modules (modules from other departments) as shown in the:

Programme Regulations Guide 2024-25

This allows you to shape your degree to the topics that interest you.

English Language & Linguistics (Duals) Module Choice

Over the course of each academic year at Sheffield, you will need to study modules that equate to the value of 120 credits. Dual students take 60 credits from English and 60 from your dual department.

There are two compulsory (core) English modules (20 credits in total) at Level 1 as follows:

EGH105 Sounds of English (10 credits, Autumn)

EGH106 Structures of English (10 credits, Autumn)

The core modules will be downloaded automatically to your record. 

You do not need to choose core modules.  


Students must choose one (20 credits) of the following modules:

Semester 1 (Autumn)

EGH104 Varieties of English (20 credits)

EGH108 Early Englishes (20 credits)

Semester 2 (Spring)

EGH102 Exploring Literary Language (20 credits)**

EGH107 History of English (20 credits)

EGH109 Linguistic Theory (20 credits)*


For your remaining 20 credits, you will be able to choose either a further 20 credits of optional English modules or 20 credits of Guided level one modules (modules from other departments) as shown in the:

Programme Regulations Guide 2024-25 

Your dual department will provide you with a list of core and optional modules for the Dual programme.

Majoring/Minoring in a Subject

Example: Linguistics & Philosophy

You can elect to Major/Minor in Linguistics or Philosophy. In order to do this you can choose to take 40 credits from English this means that you would be majoring in English (80 English credits), with a minor of 40 credits in Philosophy.

Alternatively you can choose a minimum 20 credits of optional English modules and 20 credits of guided level one modules (modules from other departments) as shown in the: 

Programme Regulations Guide 2024-25

Important Information relevant to both single and dual students:

Most English modules at Level 1 have a value of 20 credits; however please note that some departments offer 10 credit modules.

Ideally, you should try to take 60 credits’ worth of modules in each of the two semesters.

Some of you, however, may choose 10 credit Guided Modules that result in a 50:70 or 70:50 split. In such an event, try to make the autumn semester busier than the spring.

You must not attempt to make choices that would result in an 80:40 split, or anything greater than that.

*Please note EGH109 Linguistic Theory is a pre-requisite for the following level 2 modules: EGH213 Syntax, EGH215 First Language Acquisition and EGH217 Phonology

**Please note EGH102 Exploring Literary Language is a pre-requisite for the following level 2 modules: EGH202 The History of Persuasion and EGH207 Writing the Real