This course is open for applications
Page last updated 15 November 2024
On this course, you'll read an exciting range of literary texts, gain excellent knowledge of literature as a public good, and develop high-level skills for your career.
A degree in English literature indulges your love of reading and provides intellectual challenge.
It's also practical preparation for careers in the cultural industries, one of Britain's most exciting, diverse and internationally recognised fields.
Graduates in English literature are highly employable, and can show clear evidence of excellent communication, critical and analytical skills.
BA(Hons) English Literature shows you how literature is essential to understanding global culture and society.
The core modules focus on the practical, visible impact of literature on the world, with integral fields trips giving you the chance to apply what you're learning in a very tangible sense.
Explore literary texts from the English Renaissance to the 21st century, and learn to critically engage with diverse global voices and concerns.
Consider how literature contributes to major debates in areas like equality and environment, and the part books and authors can play in social and cultural change.
Study in a collaborative environment, working with academics who are passionate about their subject and value your contribution to in-class discussions.
The course consistently ranks highly in the National Student Survey (NSS), thanks to the quality of the teaching and our inspiring staff, who are experts in their field, and will support you throughout your studies.
Focusing on the avenues that most interest you, through your modules and assessments, you'll graduate confident to pursue your chosen career.
You'll leave with sought-after skills in communication, research, problem-solving, team-work, critical thinking, independence and self-motivation.
The door will be open to exciting careers in the cultural industries, the media or the arts, working in marketing, editing, publishing or teaching.
The academic rigour of the course also prepares you well for further study at postgraduate level.
You'll study:
In addition to this module, you'll study three modules offering you opportunities for close reading and engagement with critical and theoretical readings of texts. Likely areas of study include children’s literature, a range of poetry, and British and American fiction.
You'll study:
In addition to this module, you'll study three modules that develop your critical and creative responses to texts. Likely areas of study include Renaissance, Victorian, and American literature.
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.
Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study:
In addition to this module, you'll study three modules that develop your skills as a literary critic. Likely areas of study to choose from include children’s fiction, Gothic literature, crime fiction, and contemporary British and American literature.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
"I enjoyed the broad assessment methods, which developed my communication and teamwork skills. These skills prepared me for roles in customer service and HR, which led me to work as a Student Recruitment Officer at the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology." Lynsey, 2019 English Literature graduate
You'll be taught through a mix of lectures, small-group seminars, workshops, tutorials, and field trips where you can put your theoretical thinking into practice.
The large variety of assessments from essays and presentations, to posters and book jackets will strengthen your communication, presentation, creative expression, analytical and critical skills.
As an integral part of the course, you'll be trained in the use of Adobe software, including Photoshop and online platforms, giving you a strong base for a career in publishing, marketing, advertising or the media.
Craft your skills as a researcher, working with academics and partners helping to shape new thinking in the field.
Develop independence and enterprise skills, to take your talents in interesting directions and open the door to different careers.
The lecturers on the course have research specialisms in Renaissance, Victorian, children’s, American, and contemporary British literature. At all levels, staff teach their own research specialisms, so you'll benefit from teaching by academics who are actively writing and publishing in the areas you study.
To find out more, see our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Participate in all things English literature by joining our English Literature Society and attending its events, or become a peer assisted learning leader or student ambassador.
Bristol is an exciting cultural hub and you can also gain experience with our established partners, such as the BBC, Watershed, the Arnolfini and local literary festivals.
Visit school children to talk about the books they read, or work with a children's publisher to discover how they advertise new books.
In your first and second year, you can expect to be timetabled for an average of 12 hours of contact time a week; we advise you to undertake a minimum of 18 hours of independent study to support your weekly learning in class.
We use a wide variety of assessments for the modules, focusing on the different kinds of writing you want to develop during your degree.
For example, you can write essays, develop your creative writing, produce posters and book jackets, understand what it takes to write a book review, and collaborate with other students in group presentations.
Learn more about assessments.
The course includes an optional placement between years two and three. This will last at least 26 weeks and will be relevant to your subject area.
Work experience hones your skills by putting them into practice in a work environment, equips you with industry knowledge and helps you develop a strong professional network, making you highly sought after when you graduate.
Get help to find your placements and support throughout from College staff and our award-winning careers service.
You'll visit venues such as a bookshop and heritage centre, to see first-hand how literature is used in the world, and the valuable contribution it makes to society, culture and the economy.
English Literature is based at Frenchay Campus, along with other Arts and Cultural Industries courses.
The campus library houses a large collection of books and e-resources. These include Literature Online, Eighteenth-Century Collections, Project Muse, OED online and various digital archives and scholarly journals. You'll develop into a competent researcher with excellent data retrieval skills.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the English, History and Writing facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Graduates in English literature are highly employable, thanks to their strong skills for employment and broad knowledge base.
Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.
Building professional, research and enterprise skills into the modules you study, you'll be encouraged to apply them at every opportunity, including on field trips.
Former students have gone on to work as marketing executives, content managers for publishers, HR recruitment consultants, and teachers in primary, secondary and further education. Many choose to continue their studies with postgraduate degrees in English and related subjects.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and help find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
*The UK Government recently proposed that tuition fees for Home students will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 from 1st August 2025. This increase is subject to Parliamentary approval and the vote is expected to take place later this year.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated following approval.
Please see GOV.UK for further information.
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need in our English Language section.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the country information pages.
If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644