The writers of Britain and America are deeply connected. Often they employ the same language, address the same readers, and share the same cultural reference points. But at the same time, the two traditions differ sharply in their typical values and tones of voice. This programme allows you to experience these continuities and distinctions. 

In your study of English literature, you’ll have the chance to discover a wealth of writers from Chaucer to the present day – from medieval romance via Shakespeare, Milton, Austen, the Brontës, and James Joyce, to novelists and poets who are still writing now. You’ll explore diverse traditions from across the globe and tackle a heady mix of genres, which currently range from epic to children’s literature, crime writing to lyric poetry, tragedy to biography. You might find yourself honing the perfect essay, experimenting with new forms of critical writing in one of our creative-critical modules, or gaining experience of careers like journalism or publishing which draw on your literary training. 

You’ll also be studying the landmarks of American literature. Alongside writers such as Edgar Allan Poe and Herman Melville you'll read abolitionist works by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass. Towards the end of the century, you'll discover contemporaries of Mark Twain and Henry James such as Charles Chesnutt and Pauline Hopkins. At the height of the twentieth century, you'll explore the dizzy heights of postmodernism all the while keeping up with the radical decolonising work of writers like Leslie Marmon Silko and Nobel-prize winner Toni Morrison. After this firm grounding, you’ll launch yourself into more specialist areas of study, like contemporary American fiction, journalism or comics. You’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in both the big canonical American classics and in areas that are unique, contemporary, interdisciplinary, or cutting-edge. 

PLACEMENT YEAR AND STUDY ABROAD

You’ll have the option to apply to study abroad for one semester of your second year. Studying abroad is a wonderfully enriching life experience – you’ll develop confidence and adaptability, and have the chance to deepen your understanding of English and American literature while learning about another culture. At UEA, you will also be surrounded by the many students we welcome from around the world to study with us.  

AFTER THE COURSE

On graduation you could go on to work in the arts, media, publishing, politics, charities and NGOs, teaching and the commercial sector. You’ll be equipped with sought-after skills of critical reading, independence, time management, team work, and many more. You’ll also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree.  

Our Careers Service is here to support you in launching your career by advising about CV writing, internships, and much more. Every year we run an event, Working with Words, which gives current students the chance to meet and hear from successful UEA alumni from across the creative industries.  

UEA also has its own in-house publishing project, Egg Box, along with many other exciting initiatives that give you opportunities to turn your love of literature into a foundation for your future career.

CAREER DESTINATIONS

Examples of careers you could enter include:  

• Media  

• Marketing  

• Finance  

• Publishing  

• Events management  

• Journalism