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English Literature

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Curzon Building

Course summary

Our BA(Hons) English Literature course guides you on an adventure through many of the most important works of literature in English, from ancient classics and Shakespeare’s plays, to Romantic poetry, Gothic tales and Victorian novels, to modern and contemporary writing. The course offers both breadth and depth through survey modules that introduce you to the changes in literature over different periods, and themed modules that dive into how authors handle environments, gender, sexuality, and race.

You will study the making and meanings of interesting narratives and poetics, and learn how to develop and express your own informed views. We embrace a range of perspectives available to literary studies, including history, philosophy, film, sociology, cultural studies, and psychology, to enrich our students’ insights and abilities.

Professional Placement Year
This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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:
Q320
Institution code:
B25
Campus name:
Curzon Building
Campus Code:
F

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 points

A level - BBC

A Level: 112 UCAS tariff points / BBC (or equivalent). AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels. A maximum of four subjects will be considered. Required subjects: English Language or Literature A Level at Grade C or above. In lieu of English Language or Literature A Level, subjects that include an element of essay writing will be considered as an alternative, i.e History, Religious Education, The Sciences, Philosophy, Film Studies, Communication Studies & Creative Writing all include a component of this. Applicants will be required to submit a satisfactory essay set by the department.

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

112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass with 60 credits. At least 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Language, Literature and Culture subjects preferred but other subjects also considered. Applicants may be asked to complete an essay set by the department if subject doesn't contain any English.

Scottish Higher

112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC). Required subjects: English Language or Literature or combined Language and Literature subject. Applicants may be asked to complete an essay set by the department if subject doesn't contain any English.

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

112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

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

112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

Scottish Advanced Higher

112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC). Required subjects: English Language or Literature or combined Language and Literature subject. Applicants may be asked to complete an essay set by the department if subject doesn't contain any English.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points

Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall. Required subjects: English Language or Literature at Higher Level. Applicants may be asked to complete an essay set by the department if subject doesn't contain any English.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. Required subjects: English Language or Literature.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.

T Level - M

Merit overall. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s). Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Merit overall. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Distinction overall. Applicants will be asked to complete an essay set by the department unless they are already holding or are working towards an A Level in English at grade C or above.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6overall score with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
EU£18570Year 1
International£18570Year 1

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 Government is proposing to apply an inflationary increase to regulated tuition fees for 2026/27 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once confirmed.

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