English Literature
Explore how literature has reflected and influenced different societies over the centuries and prepare for many careers – some you might not even have thought about yet.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS
Study a range of texts including classic literary forms such as the novel, poetry, and plays, but also theatrical performances, films, essays, reviews, and critical and cultural works, developing your ability to read and respond critically.
Studying literature will also develop your understanding of other subjects – like history, politics, philosophy, religion, and psychology – as well as your understanding of written works that have shaped our world.
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Dr Tory Young discusses the use of second-person in Ali Smith's short story 'May' in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Our English courses ranked 3rd in the UK for “organisation and management” in the National Student Survey 2024
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Explore topics from other subjects on optional modules, including writing, film, and media
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Expand your network and your knowledge at events with professional writers, publishers and language teachers
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Showcase your work and make new contacts at events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre
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Boost your employability: learn a language, take a placement year, and solve real-world challenges for local employers through live briefs
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Get support from expert lecturers, including published authors and our Royal Literary Fund Fellows
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
I got help from someone in ARU’s Careers and Employability Service to find a placement, and ending up working for eight months as a junior content analyst in Cambridge University Press and Assessment’s Portfolio Office.
This course will help you gain vital skills particularly valued by business leaders.
These include narrative communication, empathy and perspective taking, critical analysis, creativity and imagination, and digital skills.
You’ll also develop a range of intellectual, research-based and practical skills that give you a combination of flexible thinking and transferable expertise.
Every year, core modules include employability sessions as well as live briefs, which allow you to devise solutions for industry professionals, and gain experience and connections for your future career.
Teaching and modules
You’ll explore a diverse and exciting range of writers, discover new creative and critical approaches to literature, and find out what texts can teach us about our past, present – and future.
In Year 1 you’ll explore periods of literary history from Old English to contemporary writing, using writing as a tool for thinking and discovering different approaches to critical analyses.
You’ll also examine global myths and how they’ve been adapted into English, and the development of the novel.
In Year 2 you’ll continue building your knowledge of literary history, as well as your own interests on optional modules like online journalism and science fiction.
Finally, you’ll complete a major research project on a topic of your choice, as well as studying early modern drama and contemporary fiction, and exploring more optional modules.
Student experience
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English Literature graduate Clive Thompson talks about how the course helped him change his life and become a teacher. Read more about Clive.
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Dr Cassie Gorman discusses how the first telescopic images of the moon affected literature in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Dr Jon Stone considers how poetry is changing in the digital age in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Prof Eugene Giddens discusses one famous line and two things you may not realise in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing
- Myth, Miracle and Magic
- Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment
- The History of the Novel
- How Texts Work
- Into ARU
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Nineteenth Century Literature and the Environment
- Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters
- From Modernism to the Millenium
- Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations *
- Professional Placement *
- Online Journalism *
- Science Fiction *
- Performing Shakespeare *
- Film Criticism and Reviewing *
- Digital Stylistics *
- Writing Creative Non-Fiction *
- Cult Media *
- Writing Short Fiction *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama
- Writing and the Present
- Undergraduate Major Project in English
- New Media Discourse *
- Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self *
- Crime and Detective Fiction *
- Renaissance Magic *
- Writing Poetry *
- Research Communication *
- Communication, Flesh, Philosophy *
- The Making of Modern Media *
- Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books *
- Life Writing *
- Gender and Sexuality in Britain: 1880-2000 *
- Film Journalism *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Foundation in Humanities, English, Media, Social Sciences and Education
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work Placement - Humanities and Social Sciences
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Cassie GormanAssociate Professor
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Dr Tory YoungAssociate Professor
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Professor Eugene GiddensProfessor
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Professor Sarah Annes BrownProfessor
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Professor John GardnerDean of the Doctoral School
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Professor Jeannette BaxterProfessor
Facilities
Join our student community and benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources.
You can also access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Our Royal Literary Fund Fellows can give you advice and guidance on with all your writing, whether it’s academic or creative.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for English Literature
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
UK students
Call our Clearing line
01245 686868
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