English Literature [with Foundation Year]

Explore how literature has shaped the world – and been shaped by it – while developing vital skills for career success.

An English Literature degree will help you rediscover the world through the eyes of others. The texts you read will transport you to mythical landscapes, Gothic castles, Victorian slums and cities of the future. They'll give you new insights into social and political upheavals, humanity’s relationship with our environment, and all the ways in which literature and language have shaped our world.

Our course will enable you to gain an appreciation of key periods, genres and writers, and to value multiple perspectives, but also allow you scope to follow your own passions and enthusiasms. You'll enhance your critical thinking skills and receive guidance and encouragement as you develop your own critical voice.

Why ARU?

Boost your employability: take a placement year, learn a language, and solve real-world live brief challenges for local employers

Our English courses ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and 7th in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2023

Explore your passion for literature through talks and events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre and develop your creativity through our strong links with the National Centre for Writing

Expand your network and knowledge base at events with writers, publishers and other professionals

Explore the rich local culture with extra-curricular trips to places like the British Library and the Barbican Theatre

Get expert support from experienced lecturers and additional individual guidance with your writing from our Royal Literary Fund Fellows

Careers

This course will help you gain vital skills particularly valued by employers.

These include narrative communication, empathy and perspective taking, problem solving and the art of persuasion, critical analysis, creativity and imagination, and digital skills.

Every year, core modules include employability sessions as well as live briefs; these give you the opportunity to collaborate on authentic workplace tasks with industry professionals from publishing companies, museums and other creative industries.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Foundation in Humanities, English, Media, Social Sciences and Education

Year 2

• Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing

• Myth, Miracle and Magic

• Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment

• The History of the Novel

• How Texts Work

Year 3

• Ruskin Module (15 credits)

• Nineteenth Century Literature and the Environment

• Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters

• From Modernism to the Millenium

• Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations *

• Professional Placement *

• Online Journalism *

• Science Fiction *

• Performing Shakespeare *

• Film Criticism and Reviewing *

• Digital Stylistics *

• Cult Media *

• Writing Creative Non-Fiction *

• Writing Short Fiction *

• Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *

Year 4

• Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama

• Writing and the Present

• Undergraduate Major Project in English

• New Media Discourse *

• Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self *

• Crime and Detective Fiction *

• Renaissance Magic *

• Writing Poetry *

• Research Communication *

• Communication, Flesh, Philosophy *

• The Making of Modern Media *

• Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books *

• Life Writing *

• Gender and Sexuality in Britain: 1880-2000 *

• Film Journalism *

• Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *

*optional

You'll show your progress using a combination of critical reflection, essays, portfolios, reviews, oral presentations, exams and discussion boards, as well as your final-year Major Project.