As an English Literature major, your core programme would explore writing from different periods, such as the Victorian era, the ‘Romantic Century’, the years following World War II and the Postcolonial era (including English-language works from Africa, India and the Caribbean). In combination with your minor subject studies, our wide range of module options enables you to tailor your degree to suit your interests, either developing a specialism or maintaining a broader overview of literature. You will be able to choose from titles such as Dryden, Pope and Johnson; Religion and Literature; Romantic America, 1771-1892; Literature and Philosophy; Shakespeare Studies; Science Fiction; Joyce and Beckett and many more. You will also have the opportunity to complete an independent study project with either a critical or creative focus.
Taken with an English Literature major, a minor in English Language will give you an appreciation of the unit structures from which the finished products are created. Module options range from language description and analysis, to language in context: personal, societal and global. In particular, modules such as Literary Linguistics and Narrative Analysis will help to give you a deeper understanding of your literary studies.
Key Facts
- Only English course in the region offering a flexible combination of Literature, Language, Creative Writing, Drama and Film as well as the option to combine with Media as a joint honours programme.
- Taught by internationally and nationally renowned experts and writers; experts immersed in their subject who inspire through example.
- An exceptional level of research and publication supports your course; most recent Research Assessment Exercise found 80% of the School’s research to be international standard, some of it world-leading.
- Richly stocked library and electronic resources puts texts and materials at your fingertips - access to every printed book published in the UK between 1470 and 1800.
- Since the National Student Survey began, the score for the quality of the course has exceeded 80%.
Why Choose Us?
- The School of English has a higher proportion of staff with PhDs than any other in the University; six of them awarded by top ten universities.
- A number of staff have experience of teaching at world-ranking universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Vienna and Kyoto.
- Highly popular course – BA (Hons) English is now among the top ten courses at the University for volume of applications.
- You’ll feel closely supported throughout – both academically and through opportunities for personal development planning and a vibrant ERASMUS programme.
- ‘Twenty-First Century Poetry’ module lets you build an assessed, web-published personal anthology of your own poems and images – described by one external examiner as ‘exceptionally innovative and exciting.’
- Take full advantage of the University’s Moodle online learning environment which intersects perfectly with the growing availability of e-books and databases.
- Further advanced facilities include modern teaching rooms with networked presentation equipment in every room, as well as WebCorp, a unique tool for analysing language, and eMargin, a text annotation tool currently being developed in the School.
See more about English at Birmingham City University
Download the Course Programme Specification
Entry Requirements
- Minimum of 280 UCAS tariff points or the equivalent, including A Level English, preferably at grade B.
- A minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English.
- We welcome applications from mature students. Non-standard qualifications, Access to Higher Education courses and appropriate experience will be considered on an individual basis.
- Selection may be via interview and/or exploratory essay.
Application Details
UCAS Code: Q390. Search for this course on UCAS.
International and part-time students can apply via the online form.
UCAS Information
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
UK, EU and international students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
You submit an application via the UCAS website with a list of up to five courses. All choices are confidential during the application process so universities and colleges considering an application cannot see your other choices. Applications must be completed by mid-January of the year that you wish to start university.
You can monitor the progress of your application using the UCAS Apply system.
Fees and Finance
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Fees for students from the UK or EU countries?
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| Start | Mode | Duration | Award | Fees |
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| Sep 2013 | FT | 3 years | BA (Hons) | £7,500 per year |
| Sep 2013 | PT | 6 years | BA (Hons) | £940 per 15-credit module |
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Fees for students from non-EU countries?
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| Start | Mode | Duration | Award | Fees |
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| Sep 2013 | FT | 3 years | BA (Hons) | £10,100 per year |
The University reserves the right to increase fees broadly in line with increases in inflation, or to reflect changes in government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Additional costs
You should allow approximately £100 per semester for buying books.
Financial Options and Advice
We have deliberately tried to set fees that reflect the cost of course delivery in order to help our students avoid debt.
Full-time students won't have to pay for tuition fees until after their studies - there are government tuition fee loans available. If you are a full-time student, after leaving university you will start to pay back your loan once you are earning over £21,000 a year, at a rate of nine per cent on any income above £21,000. So if you were earning £25,000, you would pay back nine per cent of £4,000, or £30 per month.
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis offers key facts on fees, loans and grants:
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
University Approach to Employability
Expertly woven into our curriculum and work experience opportunities, and underpinned by a diligent approach to career preparation and the close involvement of professional bodies, the University views employment as one of the principal rewards for a student's ambition, application and academic achievement. It's why the University is one of the country's top 30 universities* for placing students in graduate-level employment.
Our close links with business and the professions mean that our courses are always relevant, up-to-date and meet the exact needs of the current marketplace. Wherever possible, we involve employers in planning the curriculum, while many of our lecturers come from and maintain their links with industry, ensuring they are up to speed with the latest developments.
Employability will be an integral outcome of your studies.
* Sunday Times University Guide 2012
Employment Opportunities
Due to their ability to analyse and interpret text, accurately communicate information, work independently or collaboratively and present material with confidence, English graduates are highly employable. Our alumni have found employment in arts administration, teaching, lecturing, law, media and marketing, management, research and writing, politics and public relations, social work and social administration and librarianship, information services and many other areas.
Further Studies
We offer a respected MA English Linguistics as well as Research degrees (MPhil or PhD) in all areas of English. Postgraduate study in a range of other disciplines is available through the wider University. For further information on courses contact Birmingham City University Choices - Tel: +44 (0)121 331 5595 Email: choices@bcu.ac.uk.
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About KIS data
From September 2012, all universities and colleges are publishing standardised information for all undergraduate courses in the form of a Key Information Set (KIS). The KIS data is designed to meet the needs of prospective students and allow for informed decision-making when choosing a university course.
Putting our students first
We pride ourselves on our student satisfaction levels which have risen from 73 per cent to 83 per cent between 2010 and 2012. Our dedication to improving the student experience is illustrated by our award-winning student engagement, our close links with business and industry and our £180 million investment in new facilities.
Employability facts
78.9% of graduates from the School of English who responded to our survey went into either employment and/or further study. The average full-time salary for a leaver was £16,700. Employers hiring graduates from the School include Headline Communications and Nottingham Trent University, offering positions such as Junior Account Executive and Sessional Lecturer.
Working with your Students’ Union
Improving student satisfaction is a priority commitment shared by both Birmingham City University and its Students’ Union. In its strategic planning, the Union has pledged to be more accessible, more relevant and provide more opportunity to engage with a diverse student community.
The Students’ Union is already a key stakeholder in supporting an excellent teaching experience at Birmingham City University, through joint projects such as the Extra Mile Teaching Awards and the Student Rep scheme, which allows students to share their ideas on how they are taught.
As Birmingham City University moves towards a two campus strategy where it can better support enhanced learning and student support facilities across a two-mile radius, the Students’ Union will also be better able to implement its commitment to improve communication and engage with its valued student membership.
Course Structure
Our major/minor degrees allow you to concentrate on either English Language or English Literature, while broadening your experience through the study of a related area: Language or Literature. Roughly two thirds of your time will be devoted to your major area of study, in which you will increasingly determine your own direction as you progress. Your minor area of study will add diversity and aid you in developing a useful mix of knowledge and skills. All programmes encompass the first semester foundation.
Assessment Methods
Depending on the modules you choose, your assessments may include coursework essays, group and individual presentations, seen and unseen examinations, reports, portfolios, essay plans, annotated bibliographies and creative work.