BA(Hons) English Literature

Content

Year one

You'll study:

• Literature and the Marketplace.

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.

Year two

You'll study:

• Literature in the World.

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.

Placement year (if applicable)

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.

Final year

You'll study:

• Project Module.

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.

Learning and Teaching

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.

Get involved

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.

Study time

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.  

Assessment

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.