Program Overview

BA (Hons) English and Comparative Literature

The BA (Hons) English and Comparative Literature program at the University of Essex offers a unique opportunity to explore English literature alongside writings from across the globe, both in English and in translation. This course places the study of English firmly in the global context from which it emerges, and explores the ways in which English interacts with the literatures of Europe, the US, Caribbean, and beyond.

Overview

The program allows students to deepen their knowledge of literary traditions and movements across a variety of genres, developing their skills as a reader and sharpening their critical intelligence. By studying different literary traditions from around the world and across history, students can understand literary movements and developments in their global context.

Course Structure

The course structure includes a range of modules that provide a comprehensive understanding of English and comparative literature. The modules are designed to be flexible, allowing students to choose from a variety of options and tailor their course to their interests.

• Year 1:
  • COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY - Origins and Transformations in Literature and Drama (30 credits)
  • COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY - Text Up Close: Reading for Criticism (15 credits)
  • COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY - The Humanities Graduate: Future Pathways (15 credits)
  • COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - LT151-4-AU or LT161-4-AU (15 credits)
  • COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - LT109-4-SP or LT137-4-SP or LT171-4-AU (15 credits)
  • COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL - Option(s) from list (30 credits)
• Year 2:
  • COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - LT210-5-AU or LT218-5-SP (15 credits)
  • COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - LT262-5-SP or LT267-5-SP (15 credits)
  • COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL - Option(s) from list (30 credits)
  • COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Criticism: Practice and Theory (30 credits)
  • COMPONENT 05: OPTIONAL - Option(s) from list (30 credits)
• Final Year:
  • COMPONENT 01: OPTIONAL - Option(s) from list (30 credits)
  • COMPONENT 02: OPTIONAL - Option(s) from list (30 credits)
  • COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL - Option(s) from list (30 credits)
  • COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Independent Literature Project (30 credits)

Year Abroad

The program offers the opportunity to spend a year abroad, experiencing other cultures and languages, broadening the degree socially and academically, and demonstrating to employers that students are mature, adaptable, and organized. The rest of the course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Teaching

Teaching will mainly take the form of lectures and classes of about 20 students. Innovative ways of engaging with texts include editing 16th-century sonnets and archival research. A typical timetable involves a one-hour lecture and a one-hour class for each of the modules every week.

Assessment

The final mark for each module is determined by coursework, and a mark for class participation is included in the coursework mark.

Fees and Funding

• Home/UK fee: Ł9,790 per year
• International fee: Ł21,500 per year
• Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
• Placement year: 20% of the standard tuition fee for that year
• Study abroad:
  • Full year abroad: 15% of the standard tuition fee for that year
  • Single term abroad: Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the course.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels including B in one essay-based subject.
• BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
• Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent.
• IB: 30 - 29 points in the IB Diploma or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.
• IB Career-related Programme: Combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications are considered.
• QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points, depending on the subject studied.
• T-levels: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points, depending on the subject studied.

International & EU Entry Requirements

The university accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.

English Language Requirements

• English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or a specified score in another equivalent test that the university accepts.
• Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests the university accepts for applicants who require a Student visa can be found on the university's website.

Additional Notes

If an international student does not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, they could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course at the University of Essex International College.