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English Language and Literature

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
University Park Campus

Course summary

Are you a lover of literature? Have you always wondered how language works, or how it changes over time? And are you intrigued by the relationship between the two?

If you want to combine your fondness for literature with your fascination of language, this is the course for you.

At Nottingham, you’ll delve deeper into the topics you love, discover new passions, and tailor your degree to what interests you most. Whether you’re raring to read the Romantics, stimulated by stylistics, or prefer to probe political discourse , our wide range of optional modules means you’ll have chance to explore English in ways you’ve never encountered before.

You will also develop in-demand transferable skills in teamwork, presentation, and reflection - qualities highly valued by employers.

Indulge your curiosity and discover new passions as you explore the many disciplines of ‘English’ at Nottingham. You can tailor your degree to suit your interests through our wide range of optional modules in everything from ancient place-names to critical discourse analysis, Antonin Artaud to Zadie Smith, and sharpen your critical thinking skills as you evaluate evidence, encounter a variety of approaches and methodologies, and undergo independent research.

You’ll gain a foundation in applied linguistics and literature (from medieval to present day), thinking about the uses and the themes, principles, techniques, values and significance of literary works in their contexts. There’s also chance to develop your creative writing, learning from expert staff who are published poets and authors themselves.

Engaged Arts

All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Why choose this course?

  • Top 20 for English in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and Complete University Guide 2024)

  • Top 5 for English Language and top 10 for Creative Writing in the UK (Daily Mail University Guide 2025)

  • Top 100 in the world for English Language and Literature (QS World University Rankings 2024)

  • Put your skills into practice with Impact Magazine, University Radio Nottingham and more

  • Unleash your creativity in a UNESCO City of Literature, with opportunities both on campus and in the city

  • Give something back - volunteer and share your skills, from delivering Viking workshops at local primary schools, to reading to residents in care homes

  • Have the freedom to explore - following an introductory programme in year one, deepen your knowledge of your favourite topics and explore new ones through a wide range of modules

  • Work with our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team to assist with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities

  • Opportunity to apply for The Letters Page project to gain publishing industry skills

“Some of the modules that I chose which were a bit out of my comfort zone turned out to be some of my favourites. With the breadth of this course, you will struggle to find things that you have only ever done before. The modules are so amazingly broad, and they are just so enjoyable, whatever you pick.”

Nina Slater, English Language and Literature BA

You can also access this course through a Foundation Year. This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the relevant Foundation Year course for further information.

Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page- https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/English-Language-and-Literature-BA-Hons-U6UENGLL.html

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
Q392
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB

including grade A in one of English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

Excluding General Studies, Critical thinking and Citizenship.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level.

BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD + A in A Level English or English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology accepted.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Pass Access to HE Diploma Humanities Pathway with 45 credits at level 3 of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit.
15 level 3 credits must be from English modules and 9 of these English credits must be at Distinction."

Scottish Higher
AABBB

including English or English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology with grade A.

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Advanced Higher grades AA including English or English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Mixed qualifications accepted if taking A Level English alongside.

DD in BTEC Diploma + A in A Level English or English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Mixed qualifications accepted if taking A Level English or English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology alongside.

D in BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ Extended Certificate + AB including A in A Level English or accepted alternative.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AA

including English or English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology with grade A.

Accepted with Scottish Highers AABBB including English or English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology with grade A.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points

with a minimum of 6 points in English at Higher level.

OR

665 in 3 Higher Level certificates including English

Accepted subjects instead of English include: any Language subject, Geography, History, Philosophy, Global Politics, Psychology, World Religions, Social and Cultural Anthropology

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
A

plus grades AB at A level including grade A in English or one of English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

Extended Project
A

If you have already achieved your EPQ at Grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject.

If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, M1, M2

including Literature in English or one of English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology as principal subject at D3.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE requirements - English grade C (numeric grade 4)

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
A

If you have already achieved your Core Maths Qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths Qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths Qualification. If you qualify for a contextual offer, your Core Maths will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer.

European Baccalaureate - 80% overall including 85% (8.5) in English or one of English Language, English Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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