BA (Hons) English

This modern degree is for people who enjoy reading, discussing, and creating texts in a lively and supportive setting. It focuses on recent and contemporary English literature with a strong media flavour. From iconic, unusual and surprising texts that reflect student interests and contemporary cultural dynamics, to discovering links between past and postmodern, the course is very different from traditional, historical approaches to English and instead concentrates on themes that are relevant today.

Latest developments

Alongside the study of texts from around the world, you’ll be introduced to the latest developments in digital media and new media storytelling. As you progress through the course and become a more independent learner, you’ll be able to select units to focus your studies in areas of English that interest you.

Your degree, your choices

You’ll be in control, picking what excites you. There will be opportunities to showcase your work and be involved in producing publications. Currently, for instance, students have the chance to be involved in Fresher, an annual anthology of short fiction produced by the department, and enter the New Media Writing Prize, an annual prize for digital-first literature.

Different formats

While you’ll be writing essays that help you refine your critical and persuasive skills and engage with scholarship and theories from different fields, you will also have the chance to shape and express your ideas in different formats, such as blog posts, presentations, reflective and creative pieces, and video essays.

Work placement

You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a four- or 30-week placement. This is a dynamic way of putting theory into practice and is designed to develop your abilities and understanding of a real-world working environment. In the past, students have completed placements in education, social media marketing, public relations and more, and many have gone on to work for their placement employer after graduation.

The engaging lecturers and the varied units make this an enjoyable course to study. One week you could be writing an essay and the next you could be pitching for a new theme park based on a book.

Daisy White, student

Key areas of study

UCAS code Q300

A Foundation Year is available on these courses. See page 64 for more information

Key Information

Duration and delivery: 3 years full-time with a 4-week placement, or 4 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement

Entry requirements: 104 - 120 tariff points

Required subjects: None

If English is not your first language: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading or writing and 5.5 in all other components or equivalent

See website for latest details of: Entry requirements, contact hours and course costs

Classic & Popular Texts Across Genres, Platforms & Media | Narrative Structures & Theories in a Range of Texts | Tradition & Innovation in Forms, Cultural Movements & Adaptations | Relationships Between Media & Society | Positioning Literary & Cultural Texts Within Historical & Social Contexts | Creative & Professional Writing in Non-fiction & Fiction