Program Overview

English Literature and Language BA Honours

Course Overview

Our English Literature and Language BA gives you the opportunity to study English literature by focusing on both the wider social context and the language that is being used.

You'll be able to engage with an exciting variety of texts, both traditional (such as Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens) and non-traditional, alongside all sorts of other aspects of culture. You'll become a sophisticated reader of texts in their wider cultural contexts, at the same time as sharpening your skills in research. This training in critical and creative reading is particularly suitable if you are considering English teaching, the publishing or journalism industries, or any career that involves sophisticated communication skills and an advanced level of language use. It is of particular interest to those wishing to develop their skills as a writer. Our degree is strong in promoting the transferable and cognitive skills that employers value, and that contribute to lifelong personal and professional development.

We begin the course with an examination of what literature is and the tools that we use to discuss it, alongside focusing on how the English language works and the ways it is used to create different kinds of texts. As you progress through the course, you'll have the choice of a wide variety of literature from Old English, through Shakespeare, the 19th and 20th centuries to the present day; this may include texts from outside the traditional literary canon such as genre fiction and new forms of digital content.

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Learn from experts – You'll be taught by experts in their field, both in English literature and language and in neighbouring disciplines
• Benefit from small group learning – We offer weekly small group tutorials of five to eight students per tutor in addition to our regular seminars, which are designed to support your individual learning needs during the first two years of your degree
• Engage with a variety of texts – You'll be studying both traditional and non-traditional texts alongside all sorts of cultural works from film, the visual arts and museums
• Get experience before graduating – you’ll have the option to do a work placement as part of this course
• Learn transferable skills – Our degree will prepare you for a variety of careers by helping you to build your communication skills, research skills and creativity in problem-solving

Course Structure

There is a range of optional modules available from within the School of Humanities and across the University in each year of study. In Year 3 you have a particularly extensive array of modules to choose from, which allows you to tailor the degree to your own interests and future aspirations. In Year 3 you also complete a dissertation in a topic of your choice, with one-to-one supervisory support.

Our principal mode of teaching is through seminars of 15-25 students, with some larger university lectures. A key feature of our degree is our weekly small group tutorials (five to eight students per tutor). These are designed to support your own individual learning needs as you go through the first two years. The tutorials are specific to this degree and provide an important space for you to find suitable support in your studies more generally, alongside enhancing your study and employability skills.

At university, much of your learning is independent, conducted beyond the classroom (individually and in groups) in the library, at home, and via our online learning system (Blackboard), and the tutorials provide essential support for independent study.

Assessment on the English Literature and Language BA varies from traditional essays, presentations and small analytic exercises of texts through to the preparation and execution of small research projects and ultimately the preparation and writing of your own dissertation in the final year. Some modules combine coursework with a short exam.

Subjects of Study

• Year 1:
  • Children’s Literature
  • English Literature and Language Tutorial
  • Introducing English language
  • Keywords for Literary Studies
  • Language and Text
  • Poetry and Politics
  • Reading for Pleasure
  • Shakespeare and Performance
  • World Varieties of English
• Year 2:
  • Child Language Acquisition
  • Discourse across Time
  • English Literature and Language Tutorial
  • History of the English Language
  • Language and Literary Style
  • Making Memory: Culture History and Representation
  • Monsters
  • Realisms
  • Romanticisms
  • Spoken Discourse Analysis
  • The Novel
  • The Victorian World
  • Writing Revolutions
• Year 3:
  • English Literature and Language Dissertation
  • Fiction after 1950
  • Issues in Culture
  • Sexualities in Literature and Culture
  • Special Topic
  • Subject in Linguistics
  • The Modernist World
  • Topics in Applied Linguistics
  • Topics in Theoretical Linguistics
  • Tragedy: Ancient to Modern

Entry Requirements

• UK:
  • A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
  • BTEC Diploma – D*D
  • Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
• International:
  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
  • We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English Language Requirements

• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
• If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £1,580 (Price per 20-credit module)
• International tuition fee: £2,830 (Price per 20-credit module)
• Funding: As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies. Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees. Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Assessment on the English Literature and Language BA varies from traditional essays, presentations and small analytic exercises of texts through to the preparation and execution of small research projects and ultimately the preparation and writing of your own dissertation in the final year. Some modules combine coursework with a short exam.

Supporting You

• Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

• Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
• Subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.