English Literature with a Foundation Year

At Swansea, studying English Literature means exploring ideas that matter, both past and present - making you a part of critical cultural work that matters!

Our degree brings the study of literature into the present by exploring texts within their cultural and historical frameworks and thinking about what they mean for the world we live in today. In a fast-changing job market, employers value graduates who are equipped to face challenges, can analyse and write content clearly, and can communicate persuasively. Our degree will help you build those skills.

Throughout this programme you will:

• Experience literary ‘travel’ across time and place by exploring texts in English written in local and global contexts, from the medieval period to now.

• Explore the most pressing cultural questions through literary texts: about identity, the environmental crisis, gender, race and ethnicity, and nationhood

• Connect with experts. Work with publishing experts, cultural bodies, literary prize panels, and industry leaders to help shape our literary landscape.

• Acquire skills in critical thinking, reading for meaning, writing for purpose, and creative solutions: which are all vital for the modern job market.

• Offer employers a diverse and critical perspective.

• Produce professional, real-world, creative and critical applications.

• Build a career with impact. Prepare for exciting roles in publishing, the creative and cultural industries, writing / authorship, journalism, communications and PR, and literary festival management, as critics, screenwriters, and content generators.

With the cultural and creative industries now among the fastest-growing global sectors, now is a time to be a part of the literary future!

In Year 0, you will typically study areas including: Academic Writing and Skills Development; Introduction to Being Human; Introduction to Research; Critical Reflection and Problem Solving; Research Essay; Place, Memory & Identity in Literature, Film, Visual Art & Media.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Theorising Gothic Texts; Discovering Literature; Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States; Approaches to Gender in English Literature; Premodern Voices; Fundamentals of Creative Writing; Introduction to Visual Culture.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Debating Texts: Theory in Literature; Revolution of the Word: Modernism; Exploring the Bloody Chamber: Medieval to Postmodern; Contentious Shakespeare; The Greek Romance: Sea, Sun and Sex; Introduction to Writing Fiction.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Dissertation - English Literature; Written in Blood: Reading the Vampire; Graphic Novel; Philosophy and Literature; Further Poetry Writing.

We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include:

• Presentations
• Group Work
• Original Writing

Throughout your undergraduate English Literature degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. For full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/english-literature-creative-writing/ba-english-literature/ or get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk