The BA English degree programme gives you the flexibility to combine the study of Literature and Language in a balance that suits you, and offers optional modules in Creative Writing in Years Two and Three.

Our Literature modules cover a wide range of texts, genres and themes from the early medieval period to the present day. Our Language modules aim to provide understanding of the historical, social and psychological factors that shape the English language used in everyday life.

Programme in detail

Through a range of entirely optional modules, you may choose to construct a programme combining English Language and Literature, or to specialise in either part of the subject. The Language modules aim to provide understanding of the historical, social and psychological factors that shape the English language used in everyday life, while the Literature modules are designed to foster interpretive skills applying to a wide range of genres and historical periods.

Year One introduces key skills necessary for the advanced study of English Literature and Language. You will study the historical developments of the English language and of literatures in English, alongside approaches to textual analysis and interpretation. Year One modules will also introduce key study skills including academic writing and independent learning.

In Years Two and Three, you will have the freedom to plan the specific path that you follow through the programme.

Year Two focuses on the major periods of English Literature and core aspects of English Language study. Modules available examine the literatures of specific historical periods, eg the medieval, Victorian, or modernist, or areas of language study including child language acquisition or psycholinguistics.

In Year Three the emphasis is on specialisation within different literary genres and on the social, legal and other contexts of English language. You will also develop skills of independent research – for instance, by choosing to write a dissertation on a topic of your own design – and you will also have the option to take a work placement module that will give you workplace experience with an organisation relevant to your degree.

Our graduates leave to take up a very wide range of careers. A number take up jobs in journalism, broadcasting, or advertising; some begin as management trainees in a variety of businesses; others start their careers in retailing, computing, librarianship, the arts or the Civil Service. Many go on to train further as teachers, or as solicitors or accountants; some pursue careers in teaching English as a foreign language.