UEA to introduce compulsory module on Norfolk slang to help students integrate in community

The University of East Anglia has announced that from this year, all incoming freshers will be required to take a compulsory module on Norfolk slang.

The new course aims to help students integrate better with the local community by teaching them key phrases.

An email sent from a senior university official explained that the initiative will be rolled out from September 2025 and will be a mandatory UEA module for all students.

According to the email, the module will include “interactive lessons, role playing exercises, and guest talks from local community members”, with the goal of making students feel more connected to Norwich.

“We want our students to really understand the culture of Norfolk,” said Professor Marchez Offur, senior education officer at UEA.

The email also outlined how the initiative hopes to “contribute positively to the student experience, helping to break down barriers and facilitate smoother integration with the wider Norfolk community.”

Reaction to the new policy has been mixed, with some students questioning the need for a slang course. One first year student, Joe Kerr, told The Tab Norwich: “I didn’t come here to learn how to talk like a local.”

Despite this, other students have welcomed the new UEA module. Michael Take, a second year agriculture and rural development student, told The Tab Norwich he was excited for this new phase: “This is great news, I don’t think half of UEA students know about the area’s history.”

Cromer Pier, North Norfolk

Most Read

Lily Phillips shares full rundown of how her grim ‘backdoor’ challenge actually went down

Watch the video of Lily Phillips’ latest viral challenge, and it’s definitely the most gross yet

Lily Phillips vividly shows off the horrid ‘aftermath’ of her recent filthiest ever stunt

Mick added: “I’m from Cromer and every time I’m going up Norwich for uni my southern mates tell me they only understand half what I say. I think thasa rum un, you’re in Norfolk for god’s sake buh!”

Speaking exclusively to The Tab Norwich, an anonymous source from within UEA explained: “Understanding and using local slang will allow students to engage more authentically with Norfolk residents and enhance their overall experience at UEA.

“Students can expect to learn phrases like ‘hold yew hard’ and ‘on the huh’ all of which are expected to improve integration and overall satisfaction for students and locals.”

Locals are equally supportive of the policy, hoping it will preserve the dialect. One resident, Mr Partridge, said it’s been a long time coming.

Alan explained: “The Norfolk dialect is great. I’m just glad that UEA is working to keep it alive. I work in broadcasting but nobody outside of Norfolk can understand me. I’ll happily go and do a talk at the university, I’ve asked my assistant, Lynn, to get in touch with the boys up there.”

So if you’re heading to UEA this year, it looks like you’d better brush up on your local lingo.

You should probably check the date, you April fools!