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English Language and Literature

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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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.

“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 - read more from Nina

Course highlights

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

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

  • Boost your media skills with the Students' Union award-winning broadcast and print groups, Impact Magazine, University Radio Nottingham and NSTV, and your publishing skills with the opportunity to apply for The Letters Page project.

Proven results

  • We’re ranked 8th in the UK for English in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 2nd in the UK for creative writing in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

  • The average starting salary for English undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £27,023 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).

Modules

Course 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.html

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/English-Language-and-Literature-BA-Hons.html

Assessment method

For detailed information about the course assessment methods please visit the course page:https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/English-Language-and-Literature-BA-Hons.html

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
Q392
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

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.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

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.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 15

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."

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE requirements - English grade C (numeric grade 4)

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.

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

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.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

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

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.

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.

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

  • Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.
    https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/applying/entry-requirements.html

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5(no less than 6.0 in any element) English language requirements As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

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

International entry requirements

null https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-applicants/index.aspx

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
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* 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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