Department of Languages and Literature
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of Languages and Literature
As a student of Languages and Literature at UNIC, you will join a lively community of international students, You will be taught by renowned faculty, with a long list of publications in their respective areas of interest and a good track record of involvement in high-quality research. Our department offers comprehensive degrees, providing training in three key areas: foreign language teaching and linguistics; analysis of humanities subjects, including literature, culture, philosophy and digital writing; and content management, editing and publishing in English. We provide you with a wealth of transferable skills that can be applied in a variety of professions, including language teaching, linguistics, literature, social media writing and management, market research, translation and interpretation, cultural services and publishing companies. Our graduates also benefit from a high rate of employment across a range of sectors.
Programmes of Study
Why Study Languages and Literature at UNIC
What our Students say
Having been an EFL teacher for almost 10 years, I came to realize that continuing professional development is of key importance in our profession. Teaching a language is not a solid process; a teacher needs to realize it and keep up with the changes teaching a language involves. During my career I have earned other relevant diplomas, too but I always knew I wanted to continue research in TESOL, so the choice for the MA in TESOL at the University of Nicosia was an easy one. The courses of the MA TESOL coffered me the possibility to gain more depth in my field of interest and more importantly reflect on my current teaching practices. Moreover, with the constant support and expertise of the professors I developed on skills that I felt less confident about. Above all, it is important to mention that the Masters in TESOL has made my CV more competitive and opened a lot of career opportunities for me in the teaching profession. I now feel a lot more confident about my profession and myself as an EFL teacher, something which is reflected on my teaching.
I graduated from the University of Nicosia in 2010 with a BA in English Language and Literature and have only fond memories of my time there. The academic staff was always supportive, energetic and very hands-on. The student community is diverse and vibrant and there is always something extracurricular going on. During my final year dissertation the support of the staff and especially my personal tutor who allowed me to explore my somewhat unconventional research interests – the literary relations between Shakespearean texts and graphic novels – was invaluable. I now work as an English Language teacher at a private afternoon school and am pursuing an MA in English Literature at the University of Cyprus. My experiences at UNIC gave me the skills and the confidence to stand in front of a classroom full of pupils and impart knowledge, as well as to continue with my own graduate studies.
After graduating from the BA in English Language and Literature in the summer of 2010, I began working as a freelance translator for the Cyprus Public Information Office (PIO). The course at the University of Nicosia was challenging in all the best ways and offered a rich and diverse curriculum. What impressed me the most was the wide variety of academic opportunities available to me as an undergraduate. During my second year I was employed by the Student Affairs Office as Writing Lab Tutor, which gave me valuable experience in dealing with students and looking beyond my own studies. Furthermore, during my final year I was able to collaborate with one of my lecturers on his research which was later published. Not only was this an important learning experience,it also allowed me to graduate from the course not only with a degree, but with work experience and a publication under my belt.
Being a student at the University of Nicosia has offered me a unique experience of learning. I have studied English Language and Literature, a hugely dynamic degree which provides a stimulating introduction to the way the English language is used in different contexts and includes an in- depth study of literature in diverse settings. The degree is taught by a group of highly-skilled teachers who are extremely passionate about teaching and concentrate on their students’ needs and expectations. The breadth of study of this programme has helped me acquire all the basic skills and competences to continue my studies by doing an MA in TEFL and a PhD in Literature and Language Teaching.
The reason I registered for a degree in the Department of Languages and Literature at the University of Nicosia was because I received good feedback from people who had studied there. The quality of education exceeded my expectations. I appreciated the lecturers’ professional guidance and invaluable support throughout my academic studies. Being one of their students was both a pleasure and a great privilege. After completing my studies I began teaching English as a Second Language at Education First in Nicosia where I am also one of the owners.
The BA programme in English Language and Literature offered at the University of Nicosia is enthralling because one gets to study in a multicultural and diverse environment. The faculty is unique in its own righ. There is a vast accummulation of knowledge in the fields of Linguistics and Literature and a powerful eagerness on the professors’ behalf to transmit this knowledge.
Studying English Language and Literature at the University of Nicosia was a wonderful experience. Students are constantly challenged to craft the skills needed in order to be able to teach in the future or further continue their studies.
The various modules I took during my four year course at the University of Nicosia prepared me for my Masters Degree. I learnt how to write an academic essay, how to research and how to cite sources. These skills and my teachers’ support got me a place at Essex University, UK, where I studied for a Masters Degree in English Syntax. I now work as an English teacher at a private institute. Without the modules and the teachers’ guidance at the University of Nicosia I would not have been able to fulfill my dream of becoming an English teacher.
The programme teaches a variety of topics, which range from Phonetics to World Literature. It is broad enough to capture multiple aspects of Linguistics and Literature, whilst at the same time maintaining a steady, homogeneous and educationally stimulating learning environment. The teachers’ broad knowledge of the diverse topics has never ceased to amaze me. It was very motivating to see how much enthusiasm they all had, not only in teaching the various subjects, but also in listening to students’ scholarly arguments and opinions, and always being ready to further explain or analyze a topic of interest. I’ve had an amazing experience throughout my four years in the program and have not regretted one moment of it. Most importantly, I’m eager to put my education into practice as the course has opened many career pathways for me.
The reason I applied here was because it was important to me to study in an internationally accredited university, while being close to home; this way, I was able to combine both my studies and a job position, relevant to my future career. The course was great with high quality teaching. I would recommend this program to my friends. It brought the best in me, and gave me the confidence to succeed in any teaching environment. Everyone is also assigned a personal tutor, who helps on a regularly basis, not only with regards to academic issues one might have, but also personal problems. The time spent at the University of Nicosia was very creative and productive. This experience really met all my expectations.
Being a student here gives you the opportunity to study in a friendly environment with very experienced lecturers. It also gives you the opportunity to interact with students from all over the world. Courses aim to explore both practical and theoretical aspects of the subject, maximising the opportunity for future employment. Studying English at the University of Nicosia is a smart choice for any student who chooses to pursue their studies in this particular field.
English Language and Literature at the University of Nicosia combines two fields of study, Linguistics and Literature. In Linguistics, we are encouraged to learn the process of why our language is structured in a specific way and how that is differentiated from other languages. The study of linguistics opens our minds to ambiguities of meaning, giving language depth and endless possibilities. In our literature modules, we are encouraged to explore ethical and psychological complexities and how these come into conflict with culture, society and beliefs. We learn the meaning of judgment and empathy. Not only can we appreciate the contributions literature has made to history, we are also able to expand our grasp on the artifice of history. We’ve read shorts stories consisting of six words; we’ve explored the process of how speech sounds are produced and and lots lots more – all this combined with a warm environment. I invite you all to see for yourselves…