English Literature, BA Hons
Our English Literature degree offers the chance to explore how literary texts in English have reflected, engaged with, and shaped the world.
Our definition of literature is inclusive, allowing you to engage with drama, film, graphic novels and visual art alongside your studies of novels and poetry. American, European and transnational literatures are all well represented on our curriculum.
Our course structure is flexible, allowing you to learn another language, study journalism, or develop a creative voice. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or dissertation.
Popular career options for graduates of our English Literature degree include teaching, journalism, publishing, the media, arts administration, central or local government, and social work.
UCAS points
112 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
Q300 G BA/Eng
Location
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
- 4 years sandwich
Start month
September
Home* /international fees 2025/26
£9,535 /£17,500
What you should know about this course
* The Department for Education has indicated that it intends to raise the Home tuition fee limit from £9,250 to £9,535 for 2025/26.
What you will study
About the course team
You will be taught by an experienced team of academics, all of whom are published researchers specialising in a particular area of literary study. Trained postgraduate researchers may also contribute to seminar teaching.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
- 112 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, Access to HE and all other qualifications with UCAS Tariff points.
Contextual Admissions
- We make Contextual offers to this programme. Applicants that meet specific eligibility criteria will be made a contextual offer with a reduced tariff of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points. Other entry requirements such as GCSEs, Interview, etc., will still need to be met. For further information, please see our Contextual Admissions Policy.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
For more information, call us on 020 8331 9000. You can also read our admissions policy.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
For entry: applicants with non-traditional qualifications or appropriate experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For exemption: If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from modules of this degree.
How you will learn
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
The typical student intake for BA English Literature averages 20-25 per year. However, there are several ways in which English Literature combines with other subjects at Greenwich, so the numbers taking our modules are often larger. Lectures are normally attended by 30-80, and seminars by 15-25 (based on intakes since 2016/17).
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate around 25 hours per week to self-study. This may involve primary reading, supplementary reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing for tests and exams. You can use Stockwell Street Library and online resources to support you in these activities.
In addition, during the week you can also:
- Attend additional support classes in some modules
- Attend guest lectures from industry experts
- Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
- Join student societies.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Each module you study towards this degree is worth 30 credits, which represents around 300 study hours. If you receive 50 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 250 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please use our contact form.
Official statistics on Discover Uni
Full time
Part time
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home* | £9,535 | £2,384 per 30 credits | N/A |
| International | £17,500 | £4,375 per 30 credits | N/A |
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
* The Department for Education has indicated that it intends to raise the Home tuition fee limit from £9,250 to £9,535 for 2025/26.
Home tuition fee limits: Find out more
Other costs
Trips: Students of English Literature modules take occasional field trips to museums, galleries and theatres. Some of these are free, while others require a contribution (usually 50% of the ticket cost). Some field trips are tied into assessments, but alternative arrangements can be made if you are unable to pay.
Resources: Course texts and other study resources are available from our Stockwell Street Library, but you may wish to purchase your own copies.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
This course can be taken in sandwich mode, which means you can take a year to work in industry between your second and final years of study. Sandwich placements are relevant to your degree subject and are paid roles. It is the very best way of preparing you for successfully finding a job quickly when you graduate.
You will also have the option to select a module for which you will be required to undertake a short-term placement. The module will be assessed on your reflection on this placement and how you can apply your knowledge to the workplace. Many placements are found through our network of industry contacts, and students are supported in securing these.
How long is my placement?
Sandwich placements last for between 9-13 months. Work-based learning module placements are normally one day a week for either one or two terms depending on the number of credits available from the module.
What are the financial arrangements?
Sandwich placements are paid roles whereas work-based learning module placements are normally unpaid.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
The skills you acquire through studying our courses will prepare you for careers in a wide range of industries and jobs. Graduates of English Literature have gone on to careers in teaching, journalism, publishing, the media, and arts administration, as well as roles in central or local government and social work. You may also go on to postgraduate study. Some of these career options may require further training.
Are internships available?
Students are encouraged to take up Summer internships during the Summer holidays, though it is up to the student to find them. Support is available to students from the Employability and Careers Service when applying for placements and internships.
Do you provide employability services?
Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops. In addition, your School has a dedicated Employability Officer who will be organising work-related activities throughout the year which will help you to build you industry knowledge and networks.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
English at the University of Greenwich
Whether you’re studying great works of literature, the language itself or are being inspired by great writing to find your own creative voice, you’ll learn on a UNESCO World Heritage Site in one of the world’s great cultural capitals.
Visit our English degrees page.
Think ‘English’ - our top tips!
Looking for some tips to get you thinking about either studying English Literature or Creative Writing at undergraduate level? If so, look no further - our subject teaching teams have a few suggestions which might help.
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