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English Literature and History

Course details
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

BA English Literature and History allows you to study English Literature within its historical context.

You'll study English Literature and History as subjects in their own right, and explore them in an inter-disciplinary way.

Both our English Literature and History courses cover the last millennium, from Anglo-Saxon to the present day. Both subjects also offer a global reach from postcolonial literature to European, American, African and Asian history.

Lecturers are leaders in their fields and cover the full range of English literature and British history, combining the strengths of both disciplines, while maximising student choice and opportunities for specialisation.

In addition, you will be able to take advantage of Manchester's rich archival holdings (particularly in the Medieval and Victorian periods) and will benefit from being part of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures (SALC) which has a long-established commitment to interdisciplinary study.

Modules

Assessment method

You will be assessed in various ways, including:

  • written and oral examinations;

  • coursework essays;

  • research reports;

  • practical tests;

  • learning logs;

  • web contributions;

  • seminar presentations and participation.

Many course units are assessed through a mixture of techniques.

In your final year, you can choose to write a dissertation.

Your second-year work counts toward 33% of your final degree result. Your third-year work accounts for the remaining 67%.

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:
QV31
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*AA

A*AA including History and English Literature (or English Language & Literature).

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

Typical Contextual Offer: AAB including grade A in both History and English Literature (or English Language & Literature).

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher

Two Advanced Highers at AA in History and English Literature, plus AAB in Scottish Highers in distinct subjects.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification please contact ug-eac@manchester.ac.uk.

AS

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Access to HE Diploma

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.

The specific course requirements are a minimum of 45 credits with a Distinction grade, in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 Distinction credits should be achieved in both History and English Literature.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and 4 or C in Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Two Advanced Highers at AA in History and English Literature, plus AAB in Scottish Highers in distinct subjects.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification please contact ug-eac@manchester.ac.uk.

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

We consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus A-levels at Grade A in History and English Literature (or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone).

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be AAA including History and English Literature plus the Extended Project at Grade A.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 37

37 points overall. 7,6,6 in Higher Level subjects including 7 in either History or English Literature. We prefer students to offer both English Literature and History at Higher Level but will consider one subject at Higher Level and one at Standard Level. Please contact us for further advice.

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We welcome and recognise the value of the Baccalaureate Wales and accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.

For applicants who have studied the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (pre-2023), this qualification will still be accepted in lieu of one A-level (normally the lowest A-level grade listed).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the admissions team.

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

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Dist, Dist, Dist, plus A-levels at Grade A in History and English Literature (or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone).

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

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS A-levels at Grade A in History and English Literature (or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone), PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade A in the other of these two subjects.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Not accepted

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

We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades A*, A in including History and English Literature (or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone). The A* can be in either of these two subjects.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades A*A to include both History and English Literature; the A* must be in one or other of those subjects (English Language and Literature will be also accepted in lieu of English Literature, but we will not accept English Language alone).

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme. Please contact us for further advice.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)77.0 overall.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade B/6, or; IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI 7.0 overall, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. Please note we accept in-person IELTS tests taken in official IELTS test centres only. You should review our English Language requirements page for a list of acceptable IELTS tests. If you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School/Department for clarification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

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 operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

International entry requirements

The University welcomes applications from appropriately qualified candidates across the world. We value global talent and are proud to receive applications from a wide range of educational systems and national backgrounds.

Because international qualifications vary widely, it is not possible for us to list entry information for every country on this page. If your country is not listed below, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/contact-international-team/ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/

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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

The tuition fees for 2027 are yet to be confirmed.

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