English Literature

Investigate identity, emotion, and society with our exciting English Literature degree
Study English Literature at St Mary’s and delve into the cultural and historical nuances of a diverse range of literary texts. You will learn to see beyond words on the page by engaging with critical thought and learning skills that will prepare you for future employment or postgraduate study.

The diverse range of literature is explored through interdisciplinary perspectives, and covers topics including:

• London theatre

• Gender and sexuality

• Romantic authors

• The Gothic

• The mind and the body

• modernism.

We offer a wide range of modules including optional ones across a range of disciplines, so you can focus on whatever excites you.

A campus with vibrant literary history
Our BA English literature course emphasises relationships between writing and place. You will learn next to Strawberry Hill House, in which renowned gothic writer, Horace Walpole, designed and lived to inspire his work. As a result, your degree will be a fully immersive and geographically distinct learning experience.

Learn in the capital
Studying at St Mary's gives you access to the capital’s diverse literature scene and world-renowned libraries. You can visit places like:

• The British Library

• Shakespeare’s Globe

• The Sherlock Holmes Museum

• The George Inn

• Charles Dickens Museum.

Expert teaching and support
We welcome you into a close-knit and academically stimulating community. We value your experience, needs, and ambitions, so you will learn through small groups and one-to-one tutoring with experts.

Why St Mary’s?
You will gain skills and support to make a positive impact – for yourself and for others – through high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up. Our campus is a London oasis – blending city energy with open green spaces to think, connect, and grow.

Most of the modules are assessed with essays and other written forms, supplemented, where appropriate, with examinations, presentations, and contributions to digital content such as blogs, wikis and the like.