Course contact details
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Email:ugadmissions@reading.ac.uk
University of Reading
Whiteknights Campus
Reading
RG6 6UR
English Literature
- Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
- 3 Years
- Full-Time
- October 2027
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Explore a range of writers from across the globe and every period of history, from the middle ages right up to the present, with our BA English Literature course.
Our English Literature degree will enable you to examine in greater detail authors and genres that you may already know (from tragedy to Gothic, from Shakespeare and Dickens to Plath and Beckett). But it will also introduce you to aspects of literary studies that may be less familiar to you, from children's literature to publishing studies and the history of the book.
Our academics have published research on everything from medieval poetry to contemporary American fiction, and they will help you to develop your own literary enthusiasms. 100% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – English Language and Literature).
The University of Reading is ranked joint 100th in the world for English Language and Literature in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
On this course, you will also have the option to study creative writing throughout your degree. Our lecturers and professors of creative writing are all writers who work at the highest professional levels.
For more information, please visit the programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/english-literature-ug/ba-english-literature
Modules
Course Modules
Modules may include:
-
Theory and Practice of Writing
-
Introduction to Drama
-
Poetry in English
-
Prose: Writing Identities
-
Myth, Legend and Romance: Medieval Storytelling
-
Literature and Mental Health
-
From Romance to Fantasy.
Please note that all modules are subject to change. Check our website for more details about the course structure.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
Start dates
- October 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:
- Q300
- Institution code:
- R12
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Reading 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:
- Q300
- Institution code:
- R12
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelBBB
A level English Literature or a related subject at grade B. Related subjects: English Language & Literature, English Language, Drama & Theatre Studies, Creative Writing.
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HigherABBBB
Higher English Literature or a related subject at grade B. Related subjects: English Language & Literature, English Language, Drama & Theatre Studies, Creative Writing.
Access to HE DiplomaDistinction: 18 Merit: 27
Must include at least 12 level 3 credits in English Literature or a related subject. Related subjects: English Language & Literature, English Language, Drama & Theatre Studies, Creative Writing.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE Maths C (or 4), English Language or English Literature C (or 4).
Extended ProjectB
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification provides to students for University study, we now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer. Eligible applicants would receive two offers, our usual offer plus an alternative offer of a B in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 30
Higher Level English Literature or a related subject at 5. Related subjects: English Language & Literature, English Language, Drama & Theatre Studies, Creative Writing.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DDM
Modules taken must be comparable to A level English Literature or a related subject. Related subjects: English Language & Literature, English Language, Drama & Theatre Studies, Creative Writing.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - PrincipalM2M2M2
Principal subjects must include English Literature or a related subject. Related subjects: English Language & Literature, English Language, Drama & Theatre Studies, Creative Writing.
Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BCC including A level English Literature or a related subject at grade B.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | We require a minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 100 | We require a minimum score of 100 overall with no less than 20 in Listening, Writing and Reading and 21 in Speaking. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | A | We require a grade A or a score of 185 overall with no element less than 169. |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | C | We require a grade C or a score of 185 overall with no element less than 169. |
| PTE Academic | 76 | We require a minimum score of 76 overall with at least 64 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| Institution's Own Test | 7.0 | Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Only ISE III and ISE IV are acceptable and we require a Pass in each element. |
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 issue offers to best fit the different circumstances and experiences of our applicants. We take a tailored and holistic approach, considering extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. We recognise that some students are more likely than others to face barriers to fulfilling their academic potential at school, through no fault of their own. More information on our supportive offer making approaches can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/what-offer-will-i-get
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.
Historical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £10050 | |
| EU & International | £26850 |
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
For Home students: The University will charge undergraduate home tuition fees at the upper limit set by the UK Government for the relevant academic year. The University will increase tuition fees for Home Undergraduate Students at the start of each academic year, in line with this and the new fee will be communicated to you.
For EU and International students: The University will increase Tuition Fees for International Undergraduate and Integrated Foundation Year Programme Students at the start of each academic year (September). The new fee for each academic year of your Programme will be communicated to you.
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