English Literature BA (Hons)

Tuition Fee

GBP 17,100

Per year

Start Date

2026-09-01

Medium of studying

On campus

Duration

36 months

Details

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Comparative Literature | English Literature | Literature

Area of study

Humanities

Education type

On campus

Timing

Full time

Course Language

English

Tuition Fee

Average International Tuition Fee

GBP 17,100

Intakes

Program start date	Application deadline
2026-09-01	-
2027-09-01	-

About Program

Program Overview

Overview

Study English Literature at St Mary’s and delve into the cultural and historical nuances of a diverse range of literary texts. You will learn to see beyond words on the page by engaging with critical thought and learning skills that will prepare you for future employment or postgraduate study.

Course Content

The diverse range of literature is explored through interdisciplinary perspectives, and covers topics including:

London theatre
Gender and sexuality
Romantic authors
The Gothic
The mind and the body
Modernism

We offer a wide range of modules including optional ones across a range of disciplines, so you can focus on whatever excites you.

A Campus with Vibrant Literary History

Our BA English literature course emphasizes applied humanities. You will learn to consider how English Literature skills may be applied to industry practices. We hold a range of partnerships, including one with Strawberry Hill House, which renowned gothic writer Horace Walpole designed and lived in to inspire his work.

As a result, your degree will be a fully immersive and geographically distinct learning experience.

Learn in the Capital

Studying at St Mary's gives you access to the capital’s diverse literature scene and world-renowned libraries. You can visit places like:

The British Library
Shakespeare’s Globe
The Sherlock Holmes Museum
The George Inn
Charles Dickens Museum

Expert Teaching and Support

We welcome you into a close-knit and academically stimulating community. We value your experience, needs, and ambitions, so you will learn through small groups and one-to-one tutoring with experts.

We rose 73 places for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide (2023).

Modules

At St Mary's University we promote an interdisciplinary approach to the humanities, and this is an important and unique part of our offer.

Unlike other humanities degrees, if you choose to study English at St Mary's, you can expand your knowledge by exploring modules across creative writing, history, liberal arts, theology, education studies, and film.

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Rethinking Modernity
The Public Role of the Arts and Humanities
Critical Theory and Literature
London Theatre (£350 surcharge)
Doing History
Revolutions and Rebellions
Current Writers and Writing
Introduction to narrative
Film, Style and Form
Cinema History
Digital Production
Key Concepts in World Religions
Fundamentals of Systematic Theology
The Nature of Religion
Introduction to Ethics
History of Education
Citizenship, Education and Children's Rights
Romanticism: English Literature and its Background
Gothic Cultures
Writing the Renaissance
Writing Gender and Identity in the Nineteenth-Century Novel
Dissertation/Independent Project
Modernisms in English Literature
Literature and the Unconscious
New Voices: Twentieth-Century Literature

How the Degree is Taught

Contact time - 40% Independent study - 60%

*Contact time includes 20% of guided learning

Teaching Methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

During your English Literature course, you will attend lectures, interactive seminars, and one-to-one tutorials, the latter of which we place a great deal of importance on.

In your first year you can expect 10 contact hours a week.

Throughout your studies, you will have access to the department's 'open door policy' that allows you to come and discuss questions, and interests, with your tutors outside of formal teaching.

The ‘Special Study’ option in the third year asks you to undertake an enterprising project to engage applied humanities on a literary topic guided by your lecturer. You engage creatively to produce a project such as a walking tour; curate an exhibition or a season of films; or create an educational website.

Assessment Methods

Most of the modules are assessed with essays and other written forms, supplemented, where appropriate, with examinations, presentations, and contributions to digital content such as blogs, wikis and the like.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

Who Teaches this Course?

Angela Platt

Entry Requirements

2025 and 2026 entries

Start date September 2026

Standard offer 112 UCAS points

Contextual offer 96 UCAS points

About Contextual Offer:

Not sure about your grades? We consider all factors when reviewing your application, as we know not everyone has the same support to reach their potential. So we may make a contextual offer below the standard Tariff if you meet our criteria.

One A-level should ideally be in English (either Language or Literature), but we may be able to consider applicants who are doing at least one other essay-writing subject and can demonstrate an interest in English.

We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:

subjects studied at Level 3
your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
your references and motivation.

International Requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).

UCAS Personal Statement Support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please get in touch.

How Many UCAS Points My Grades Are Worth

A levels
Access to HE Diploma
BTEC Diploma
BTEC Extended Diploma
International Baccalaureate
Irish Leaving Certificate
T Levels

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A Levels

A* 56 pts
A 48 pts
B 40 pts
C 32 pts
D 24 pts
E 16 pts

My qualification isn't listed:

If you can't find your qualification in this list please check the full list of UCAS tariff tables.

Calculate your total UCAS points

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

Home £9,535

International £17,100

Please note: these fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.

For more information on foundation year fees for home students, please check the details on our tuition fee page.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional Costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.

Scholarships

Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.

Living Costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

Career Opportunities

Our English Literature degree will help you develop essential transferrable skills like critical thinking, flexibility, and communication.

Contact our Career Services at for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of English Literature BA (Hons) include:

Media
Publishing
Research
Management
Journalism

82%say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for courses in Literature in English over two years at St Mary's University, Twickenham

86%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Literature in English over two years at St Mary's University, Twickenham

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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