English Literature (2026) BA (Hons)
UCAS code: Q200
We’re 4th in the North West (The Complete University Guide 2026- English).
Lose yourself in the pages of great works of literature. Explore other worlds and periods of time. Fuel your love of the written word in all its forms on this degree, from Victorian fiction, Renaissance drama and Romantic poetry to American fiction and crime novels.
Overview
| Course length: | 3 years full-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2026 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Subject(s): | EnglishCreative Writing |
| Faculty: | Arts and Sciences |
| Department: | English and Creative Arts |
If you’re interested in applying for 2025 entry, please visit BA (Hons) English Literature.
Embrace your love of stories, myths and narratives. Our English literature degree spans admired works from classic to contemporary. We’ll cover a range of fascinating literary periods, genres and topics to give you a broad understanding of literary history.
Do you want to know more about the impact of literature on society? How did the author’s history influence their use of language? This course will boost your critical thinking and develop analysis skills.
We’ll teach you how to interpret and evaluate what you read. At the same time, we’ll ask you to apply these approaches to literary texts. With optional module choices you’ll dip into genres like Renaissance drama, children’s literature and Romanticism.
During this degree, you’ll develop the essential communication skills that employers are looking for. Unlock the potential for many fulfilling careers in publishing, journalism, the public and voluntary sectors and more.
Course features
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International students can apply
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Sandwich year option available
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Studying abroad option available
What you'll study
Year 1 of this degree surveys 3,000 years of literary history. Our literature modules go through classic works and popular writing, diving into Greek mythologies, Victorian novels and modern comic books. You’ll develop your analytical abilities looking at poetry, prose and drama and reframe your approach to reading. We’ll teach you research skills that will set you up for the rest of the course and beyond.
We’ll explore specific periods and authors in Year 2. You’ll shape your degree by choosing the modules that support your interests. Choose from specific genres such as contemporary American literature or deepen your understanding of a single author. Design and develop your own ideas on an individual research project forming a mini dissertation and preparing you for your final year.
Understanding the context behind the words will help you form opinions and get involved in ongoing debates. You’ll compare and contrast key literary pieces to understand how styles change over time. Alongside this training you could hone your analytical skills with an individual research project or dissertation. Over the course of the year we’ll support your career development and get you ready for life after graduation.
How you'll study
Teaching and learning includes lectures and seminars, workshops, group activities, independent research and our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). As well as module and seminar tutors, we offer both personal tutors and year tutors who support you through your studies. The work undertaken on research projects underpins teaching throughout the department and ensures you are at the forefront of developments in your subject.
How you'll be assessed
Emphasis is placed on work produced in your own time or formally presented in class. Typically, you can expect to be assessed on essays, short analyses, reports and close readings, oral presentations, blogs and group work.
In your final year you may choose to write a dissertation on a specialised literary theme, which you will research independently, with one-to-one support from an expert supervisor.
Who will be teaching you
We have a dedicated and enthusiastic team of English Literature tutors who also contribute to Masters programmes and the supervision of research students. Our staff are active in research in all taught subject areas, publishing books and articles on a regular basis. Several have been successful in winning national research awards from bodies such as the British Academy. The work undertaken on research projects underpins teaching throughout the department and ensures you are at the vanguard of developments in your subject.
Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.
Entry criteria
Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.
Example offers
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A Level | BBC-BBB. |
| UCAS Tariff points | 112-120 points. |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) | Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM). |
| T Level | Overall grade of Merit. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations. |
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
Fair Entry Criteria
Our new Fair Entry Criteria is a Contextual Admissions Policy that takes an applicant’s personal and educational background into account. This policy will allow eligible applicants to receive up to a two-grade reduction in their entry requirements for this course. Find out more and see if you qualify.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.
International
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
The Department of English and Creative Arts is based in Creative Edge, a state-of-the-art £17million building offering highly contemporary facilities.
The £17 million Creative Edge building features a lecture theatre, seminar rooms, IT facilities and smaller tutorial spaces. It has everything you need to become a capable, versatile, creative writer and thinker. Creative Edge’s social learning spaces are ideal for passionate discussion with like-minded creatives.
You’ll develop the practical skills, analytical tools and confidence for wherever your creative flair and insight takes you.
Finance
Tuition fees
2026/27 fees will be added when available.
The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Your future career
This English literature degree helps you find your feet in many interesting industries. You’ll have the communication and analytical skills that can be applied, with or without extra training, to sectors such as:
- publishing
- journalism
- library and archival work
- media
- heritage and museums
- managerial work
- teaching*
- speech therapy*
*further training required
Some of our graduates go on to further their studies or research to specialise in a particular area or pursue an academic career. Previous English department graduates have secured fantastic roles such as:
- Senior production editor
- Communications assistant
- Whole school literacy coordinator
- Talent coordinator
Our students develop their communication skills and become refined critical thinkers. This course is a great foundation for a diverse range of careers and industries that require strong written and verbal communication.
