An English degree is more than choosing between language and literature. The BA English course allows you to study both areas (language and literature) equally for a more integrative approach to the subject. You can build up skills in linguistic analysis and gain an understanding of how language is used in everyday communication while at the same time you can engage in in-depth study literary texts, including novels, plays and poetry.

BA English allows you to gain knowledge in how the English language has changed over time and spread globally, and how it can vary in use across society, in face-to-face interactions, the written text and online.  It allows you to explore literary genres and periods from the Renaissance to the 21st century including a chance to study literature from the American West and speculative fiction.

Since our degree aims to develop your ability to use language effectively and appropriately in a range of circumstances, it may open up a wide range of career options over and above the professions associated with English, such as journalism, publishing, marketing, public relations, advertising, teaching, the civil service or the media.