Faculty of

Arts and Humanities

SCHOOL OF
HUMANITIES

Coventry University

Ranked 13th in UK
Guardian University Guide 2019
Welcome

I’m delighted to introduce you to the School of Humanities, based

within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Coventry University

Our ethos is built around an approach that’s open, connected,

collaborative, engaged and sustainable.

We’re proud of the achievements of our alumni who have been highly
successful in securing prestigious graduate-level opportunities. Many
are making their mark before they leave us by being commissioned
as public artists, winning national and international competitions,
publishing their work in the media and having their works performed
in public environments including the BBC.

Coventry University has been inspiring and developing leading artists,

designers, creative practitioners, performers, writers and thinkers
since 1843.

By knowing our roots and understanding our place within these

vibrant creative communities, we can nurture your intellectual curiosity
and give you opportunities to engage with professional communities
of practice, making you ready to play your role in shaping the future
landscape of humanities.

Dr Shaun Hides
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

The Faculty of
Arts and Humanities

Our ethos is built around an approach

that’s open, connected, collaborative,
engaged and sustainable.

2
Contents

4 UK City of Culture 2021

6 Teaching excellence
8 Career focused
10 Global outlook
12 English and Languages courses
14 Social Science courses
16 Top-up courses
18 Next steps

GOOD
UNIVERSITY
GUIDE
2019
UNIVERSITY
OF THE YEAR
FOR STUDENT
EXPERIENCE

Awarded Gold for outstanding

teaching and learning 2017.
UK City of Culture 2021

Coventry is a lively, multi-cultural city with a rich history that Our facilities
embraces the old and the new. For 175 years, Coventry University Becoming a student at Coventry University will give you access
has been inspiring and developing leading artists, designers, to some brilliant facilities. The Languages Centre, based in the
creative practitioners, performers and thinkers George Eliot Building, is a state-of-the-art language learning facility
that brings together learners, teachers and technical staff in a
City of Culture specially designed space. We’ve a truly international focus; the
It’s an exciting time to study the arts in Coventry. Our city was Languages Centre is designed to support needs of learners from
awarded the UK City of Culture for 2021, which marks the any language course. We’re members of both the Association of
beginning of an incredible few years of culture and celebration. University Language Centres and the European Confederation of
Languages in Higher Education.
As one of the principle partners of the bid, we’ll have a focus on
teaching and research. Coventry University students will be able to The School of Humanities is also home to the Confucius Institute.
take advantage of incredible opportunities and continue this work This is collaboration between Coventry University, Jiangxi
beyond 2021 as part of our cultural strategy. University of Finance and Economics (JUFE) in China and the
Chinese Ministry of Education’s Office for Chinese Language. The
We’ve already had events take place for City of Culture from only one of it’s kind in the West Midlands and a place where you
Museum of the Moon to Crafts of the Punjab to Cinderella. can discover more about Chinese culture.

We’ve an excellent culture here in Coventry already but we can’t The Lanchester Library is split across five floors and filled with
wait to see what winning City of Culture 2021 brings for us in the resources to help you make the best of every assignment, seminar
near future and would love you to be a part of our journey. and lecture. The Library building is open 24 hours to so you can
study at a time that suits you. You can even study in a style that
Heart of Coventry suites you with bookable spaces, silent zones, quite zones and
Coventry was named as the 5th best student city in the UK by even a Disruptive Media Learning Lab complete with a grassy
the QS World Rankings 2018. Our city-centre campus is at the bank. We have 500 open access PCs and Macs, high-speed
heart of things in Coventry so you’re well placed for shopping, wireless internet and sixty laptops for loan too
entertainment and cultural experiences.
Open Days
The Belgrade Theatre hosts an exciting mix of experiences ranging If you want to see Coventry University’s campuses, have a look
from locally produced performances, comedy nights and touring around the city and find out more about subjects you want to
West End shows. There are plenty of great live music venues study, you can book a place on one of our Open Days.
across the city too including The Empire, Kasbah and the Ricoh
Arena. The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is award-winning for You can speak to academics from your subject area, take campus
celebrating the city’s culture and history, and the best part is that and accommodation tours and even chat to current students
it’s right next to TheHub. Coventry Godiva Festival is the UK’s about their own experiences and what life is really like at Coventry
biggest annual free music event; Acts like Biffy Clyro, Kasabian, University.
The Enemy, Jake Bugg and Example have all performed in War
Memorial Park. www.coventry.ac.uk/opendays

We’re in a brilliant location for travelling too, only an hour from

London by train and just twenty minutes from Birmingham.

4
The Languages Centre, The George Eliot Building 5
Teaching excellence

We know the difference good teaching can make to your time at Research
university. A great experience can make you happier, help you to Our school has a strong tradition and excellent reputation for applied
learn more and give you that edge when it comes to developing research in education and linguistics-related applied research, as well
your career. as creative writing and international human security.

We’re proud of our teaching achievements; including being Research-informed learning is thoroughly embedded in our courses
awarded Gold in the Teaching and Excellence Framework (TEF), and you will have the opportunity to engage with active practitioners,
the government’s first major assessment of teaching quality in writers and published academics who are experts in their field.
universities.
Coventry has a strong heritage in peace and reconciliation and
We rank 13th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2019, and you can benefit from the expertise of research centres such as
have held the position within the guide of top modern university the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations. This research
for seven consecutive years. Coventry is also in the guide’s top 10 centre undertakes innovative, impactful, world-class research that
across a dozen subject areas including politics and criminology. helps to create dialogue and builds trust in order to foster peaceful
The Guardian guide also ranks us: relations and strengthen human security. Drawing on a strong
track record of research in integrated peacebuilding, trust and
• 10th overall for students being satisfied with feedback; social and community relations, the Centre exemplifies Coventry
• 9th overall for students satisfied with teaching on their course; University’s long-standing commitment to research that makes a
• 9th for ‘value-added score’, which rates how well students are strong impact on society and on the security and quality of life of
taught. ordinary people worldwide.

These is just one of many examples how our creative minds are
Passionate staff
helping to support a sector steeped in culture and heritage.
Our award-winning staff team are passionate about Humanities
and many of our lectures are exhibiting, performing, publishing
and curating.

Our lectures bring their subjects to life in interesting ways too.

Recently, our history department transformed a local bar into
a pop-up cinema and museum to celebrate the premiere of a
feature-length documentary Looking for Charlie. The documentary
had been a three-year labour of love for our history lecturers
Darren Reid, Brett Sanders and many of our history students. The
documentary looked at the dark history of the silent era by following
the story of comedians Marceline Orbes and Francis “Slivers”
Oakley and their connection to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

We have distinguished industry professionals visiting as guest

lecturers and running masterclasses for our students. Prof. David
Crystal OBE, a world renowned linguist, recently gave a guest
lecture that looked at the influence that the internet is having on
modern language.

6
Isabella Yeboah, BA (Hons) Sociology 7
Career focused

Your career really matters to us, that’s why we offer you career Add+vantage scheme
services for both general and more specific help. 97% of Most courses include an Add+vantage module each year, where
Coventry University students are employed or in further study you can choose from a variety of career-enhancing subjects.
six months after graduation (Destinations of Leavers from Higher
Education Survey 2016/17, published 2018) which places us Add+vantage modules are arranged in themes. In the ‘Global
amongst the top universities for employment or further study. Languages’ theme you can learn French, German, Italian,
Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese or Portuguese. In the
We aim to help you secure a work placement of up to one year, ‘Global Perspectives’ theme you can study how to do business in
and if you’re looking to have a year abroad working or studying, different parts of the world or look at intercultural communication
you won’t be charged tuition fees for that year. Most students are in the global society. In the ‘Professional Development’ theme,
enrolled onto their course with the option of doing a sandwich year a module has been created in association with multinational
in their 3rd year of study. A year in industry can offer a valuable companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car
insight into the working environment, provide relevant experience and Severn Trent Water to give students unique industry insight
for your CV, build a lasting relationship and could even lead to and guidance for graduate recruitment. Other themes include
further employment opportunities. Creativity and Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, Work Experience,
Global Experience Field Trips, Projects and Skills, Professional
Our Employment Support Team can give you tailored employability Accreditation, and Research Skills.
advice and guidance. You can have access to an Employment
Personal Tutor who, with a wealth of industry knowledge, can There are over 240 modules to choose from but the common
guide you through the nuances of whichever career you decide thread is that they all aim to develop and expand skills employers
upon; helping you to make applications and to make preparing for are looking for.
interviews a much less daunting prospect.
www.coventry.ac.uk/addvantage
The interdisciplinary approach of our courses aims to provide
transferable skills valued by employers. Your Employment Personal Flying Start scheme
Tutor will help you identify these skills and demonstrate your
University is a great investment but we understand that you may
capability in them through applications, interviews, assessment
be concerned about the cost of fees. We endeavour to make it
centres and even psychometric testing.
clear what is included in the fees you pay so there are no surprises
along the way.
Whether it’s as employees, freelancers or starting up your own
businesses, working with our employability team gives you the
Students in the School of Humanities are provided packages that
opportunity to develop an enterprising edge and the confidence to
can include key study texts, materials and technology relevant to
move into a rewarding career.
the specialist area. This may also include course-specific items
such as membership to professional bodies, including the British
www.coventry.ac.uk/employability-fah
Sociological Association and the British International Studies
Association.
thefutureworks
If you need help finding a job while you’re studying, Coventry www.coventry.ac.uk/flyingstart
University has its own Recruitment Agency. A member of the
Recruitment and Employment Confederation and the British
Institute of Recruitment Professionals, thefutureworks can help
you find permanent and temporary opportunities.

www.thefutureworks.org.uk

Coventry University

97% employed or in further study

DLHE survey, UG UK, 2016/17 (published 2018)

8
The Languages Centre, The George Eliot Building 9
Global outlook

Our facilities encourage a global perspective. The Confucius Go Abroad scheme

Institute has strong links to China and the Languages Centre We believe in giving all students the opportunity to go abroad and
brings together learners, teachers and technical staff in a specially we offer funding to support you. Open to all School of Humanities,
designed suite. our Go Abroad schemes give you a way to gain international
experience and can help you to become a globally employable
We lead nationally and internationally on Online International graduate. Each year, many of our students spend between three
Learning, MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) integration into and 12 months abroad studying, working, volunteering or travelling
the curriculum and MALL (Mobile Assisted Language Learning). (subject to application and costs). For example, over the summer
of 2018 around 900 students and over 60 members of staff visited
Students have the opportunity to engage in webinars with Paris, Barcelona, Brussels and Berlin on an unforgettable trip
students from all over the world, including Europe, China and Latin featuring cultural learning, visits to partner universities, sightseeing
America. We enrich course material with tutorials, workshops and and visits to industry to see how businesses operate in Europe.
inter/multi-cultural perspectives and offer extensive academic and
English support. www.coventry.ac.uk/go-abroad

Opportunities to travel are a key element of many of our courses Global Leaders Programme (GLP)
and an excellent reason for choosing Coventry University. Our
This exciting, members-only programme* develops industry
students have more international experiences than other UK
leaders of the future. Expand your global skills in our specialist
universities according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency
workshops, experience new cultures and different countries, and
(HESA 2018). With trips abroad, language classes and a Global
meet global leaders at networking events from the likes of Google,
Leaders Programme at your feet, there’s no telling where you
Microsoft and Facebook.
might end up as a Coventry University student.
www.coventry.ac.uk/globalready
Each year, our course teams organise a range of overseas study
trips or work experience to support your learning. Over the past few
*Fees apply
years, we have offered exciting international opportunities for our
students to visit Sicily, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Krakow,
Budapest, Istanbul and Sarajevo (subject to application and cost).

Recently, humanities students travelled to New York to investigate

current affairs in America. Focusing on oral history, they created
a documentary about The Donald Trump Effect as seen by the
people of New York City. Our Sociology students conducted a
micro sociological project in both Coventry and Gothenburg. The
project was designed as part of the Research Methods module to
complement the students’ theoretical learning by allowing them to
apply these methods to real world sociological topics. Their work
focused on the refugee crisis, industrial heritage, cultural politics,
urban planning, city markets and post-industrial decline.

Coventry University

1st for overseas student experiences

Based on the number of student trips abroad - HESA 2016/17 UK

10
The Disruptive Media Learning Lab (DMLL) Lanchester Library 11
English and Languages

Why English and Languages at Coventry University?

Course information An understanding of language and an ability to use language skills
to enhance the way you communicate is of great importance in a
English BA (Hons) wide range of professions and can improve your life in a number of
UCAS code: Q300 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/Q300 different ways

English and Creative Writing BA (Hons) Our English and Languages courses give students a thorough
UCAS code: QW38 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/QW38 grounding in language and linguistics, developing your critical
thinking, analytical, written and spoken communication skills,
English and Journalism BA (Hons) which are vital in almost any career. Students are taught using
UCAS code: QP35 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/QP35 traditional, digital and innovative teaching methods and platforms.
The course teams aim to facilitate learning through experiential,
English Language and TEFL BA (Hons) interdisciplinary and collaborative ways that empower students to
UCAS code: QX31 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/QX31 take risks and explore their creativity.

3 years full-time or Our Languages Centre is equipped with classrooms specially

4 years sandwich (study abroad/work placement) designed for language teaching and learning. You’ll be taught by
active researchers, who regularly publish research into language
teaching and learning.

With extensive professional links, you’ll have the opportunity to

attend lectures and workshops with poets, playwrights, authors,
renowned applied linguists, such as Professor David Crystal, and
journalists, including the former Political Editor of the Irish Sunday
Mirror and Editor-in-Chief of Classic Cars and Michael Binyon
OBE, former Moscow Correspondent of The Times.
Students can participate in a wide range of UK field trips, such
as the Language Show Live in London, the Cartoon Museum,
American Museum, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Harry
Potter World, or spend a week away on a writers’ retreat, in the UK
or abroad (subject to cost and application).

There is a strong publishing element on many of our English

courses, which includes students creating their own blog
or participating in publishing the CovWords Creative Writing
magazine, to ensure that students are receiving first-hand
experience in the publishing industry. Students can benefit
from becoming part of the Student’s Union Source Media team
contributing to its radio, TV and news platforms or joining the
student-run English and Languages Society or the Literary
Society, which organise discussions, readings, and social events.

Employability
Employability is embedded throughout these courses. English
graduates can pursue a variety of post-graduate studies and work
in a range of fields within the Arts and Cultural, Digital, Creative
and Business industries as well as in the teaching profession. Our
courses prepare graduates for a changing work landscape heavily
influenced by the need for advanced communication, organisation,
team working, digital and creative skills.

Possible careers for graduates

Recent graduates of these courses have gone on to work within
education, marketing and public relations, journalism, and
research coordination for companies including Stonegate, Granta
Magazine, Deutsche Bank, and Oxford University Hospitals
Foundation Trust. Graduates of these courses have also gone on
to work for language service providers abroad as well as in the UK.

12
The Disruptive Media Learning Lab (DMLL), Lanchester Library 13
Social Sciences

Why Social Sciences at Coventry University?

Course information At Coventry University you’ll have the opportunity to engage with
the social sciences in creative, inventive and exciting ways. Our
History BA (Hons) teaching staff are research active and we bring our disciplines to life
UCAS code: V140 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/V140 by focusing on contemporary issues, using innovative methods, and
celebrating the development of a critical imagination.
History and Politics BA (Hons)
UCAS code: LVF1 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/LVF1 Our courses are hands-on, giving you the opportunity to
investigate and document a situation, create and analyse your own
International Relations BA (Hons) data, and draw your own conclusions about the nature of society.
UCAS code: L250 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/L250
Coventry University is 9th in the UK for politics and 10th in the UK
Politics BA (Hons) for criminology in the Guardian University Guide 2019.
UCAS code: L200 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/L200
We pursue new and innovative approaches to research and
Sociology BA (Hons) content creation, for example, our History and Sociology students
UCAS code: L300 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/L300 have the chance to learn documentary film-making and digital
content creation as a part of their degree.
Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons)
UCAS code: LM39 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/LM39 Student support is one of our top priorities and you’ll be
joining a lively, welcoming and friendly community. Our highly-
3 years full-time or accomplished and multidisciplinary teaching team includes
4 years sandwich (study abroad/work placement) respected authors and experts in research in the UK, France,
Germany, Italy, the Middle East, Africa and North America.
We maintain strong relationships with organisations throughout the
UK, including the local city councils, the Houses of Parliament, the
National Health Service, Coventry Refugee Centre and Coventry
Haven, organising a range of guest talks and workshops. This
has previously included British MPs, high commissioners from
African states, representatives from local charities and NGOs and
speakers from major global corporations.

Our courses have a strong international focus and we have links

to a number of institutions and partner universities around the
world. Recently, we’ve visited anti-Mafia organisations such as
Addiopizzo and Libera in Sicily, explored post-war Germany in Berlin
and examined war, peace and identity in Amsterdam, The Hague
and Brussels, as well as trips to Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava,
Gothenburg, Krakow and New York. We also work with scholars
from around the world who contribute to our course digitally.

Possible careers for graduates

Recent graduates are now employed in the private sector in
industries ranging from banking and finance to media, and across
the public sector in education, the civil service, police forces, local
authorities, charities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

14
The Languages Centre, The George Eliot Building 15
Top-up courses

Why study a top-up course at Coventry University?

Course information Top-up courses give you a way to ‘top-up’ an existing qualification
to gain an undergraduate degree.
English for Business BA (Hons)
UCAS code: QN31 www.coventry.ac.uk/ug/QN31 If you’ve successfully completed a Higher National Diploma
(HND) or Foundation Degree and want to study further, you could
progress onto the final year of an Honours degree programme
with a top-up degree.

A HND or a Foundation Degree is an excellent qualification in itself,

but you may have career ambitions that could be fulfilled with an
Honours degree. It typically takes one further year of study to
top-up your HND or Foundation Degree.

The English for Business BA top-up aims to improve your

language skills, primarily in terms of business and general
business understanding.

This course aims to help you develop your knowledge of the

English language, so that in particular, you can operate in a
business setting, whether in the United Kingdom or internationally.
Our dedicated language centre contains over 2000 books and
areas designed for private, quiet study to help you absorb the
English language.

As well as this, you have the opportunity to extend your existing

knowledge of the theory and practice of business on a global
scale in traditional lectures, seminars and practical workshops.

Possible careers for graduates

This course gives access to a wide variety of careers in global
business, international organisations, cross-border marketing,
tourism, banking, import/export, events management or the media,
to name but a few.

Your cross-cultural awareness, your international experience and

your ability to communicate effectively in business English means
that you can look for job opportunities in any international or
emerging market.

Alternatively, you could choose to develop your academic portfolio

even further, through a postgraduate qualification in business,
marketing, management, strategy, human resources, international
relations or law.

16
The Languages Centre, The George Eliot Building 17
Next steps

Applying to an undergraduate course Pre-sessional English courses

Courses require students, where English is not their first language,
UK and EU students to have achieved a IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent
UK and EU students must apply at www.ucas.com
Coventry University offers Pre-sessional English languages
International students courses to help international students meet the necessary level of
Applying to Coventry University is a quick and easy process. English language proficiency.
You can apply or download an application form from our website:
www.coventry.ac.uk/international These courses range from four to 20 weeks in length depending
on your current level of English language proficiency and the level
If you have any questions, please contact the International Office: you need to achieve for your chosen degree course.
T: +44(0) 24 7615 2152
E: enquiries.io@coventry.ac.uk These courses will also help you to:

Next steps for international students • D evelop your academic English so that you are better prepared
for university-level study
All of our courses are open to international students and we
• Develop your study skills
encourage applications from around the world. Coming to the UK
• Understand what will be expected as a higher education
as a student can be the start of a life-changing experience, full of
student in the UK
memorable moments and new opportunities.
www.coventry.ac.uk/englishlanguagesupport
Coventry University’s International Office can support you through
the application process. Many of the team are multilingual and
Fees, funding and scholarships
have their own experiences of living and studying abroad. They
will be able to answer any questions you may have about your Coventry University recognises that attending university requires
application, or what it is like to live in the UK. significant financial investment. We pride ourselves on offering
competitive tuition fees. We offer scholarships and discounts for
www.coventry.ac.uk/international-students-hub students who study with us, including early payment, full payment,
merit, country and alumni scholarships.

www.coventry.ac.uk/international/scholarships

18
 GOOD
UNIVERSITY
GUIDE
2019
UNIVERSITY
OF THE YEAR
FOR STUDENT
EXPERIENCE
School of Humanities
Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry
CV1 5FB
T: +44 (0)24 7765 7688 Awarded Gold for outstanding
teaching and learning 2017.

/coventryfah
@coventryfah
@coventryfah_

www.coventry.ac.uk/fah 17590-18 © Coventry University. All rights reserved.