Program Overview

Introduction to English Program

The English program at the University of Canterbury (UC) offers students the opportunity to develop core career skills and delve into the world of literature. Studying literature opens up worlds and times beyond our experience, helping us understand and reflect on our own history, society, and identity. It builds core skills for study, career, and daily life.

Program Overview

The English program involves learning how to analyze texts, write clearly and creatively, debate and critique effectively, and how literature adapts to cultural and historical influences. Students have the chance to create their own fictional or non-fictional works, from poetry to novels to essays in a variety of different courses. Alongside courses on the novel, theatre, and 20th-century literature, the program also offers courses in fields such as children's literature, human-animal studies, and popular fiction (including science fiction, horror, and fantasy).

English Major

To complete the major in the Bachelor of Arts, students must complete the following courses:

• 100-level: ENGL102 Great Works OR ENGL103 The Outsider
• 100-level: One 100-level ENGL course (or above)
• 200-level: Three 200-level ENGL courses (or above)
  • ENGL201 The Essay and Beyond: Creative Non-Fiction is recommended
• 300-level: Two 300-level ENGL courses

English Minor

To complete the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, students must complete 75 points in 100 to 300-level ENGL courses, with at least 45 points above 100-level.

Career Opportunities

The skills developed through the English program, such as reading, analyzing, and critiquing, are useful in a huge range of occupations, including:

• Journalism
• Law
• Communications
• Publications
• Digital media and communications
• Reporting
• Publishing and editing
• Advertising and content writing University studies may open the way towards creating one's own works and becoming a published author. Career pathways could include digital media and communications, reporting, publishing and editing, advertising and content writing.

Qualifications

The University of Canterbury offers the following qualifications in English:

• Certificate in Arts
• Diploma in Arts
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (Specialisations)
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
• Bachelor of Health
• Bachelor of Product Design
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Bachelor of Sport
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership