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English Literature BA(Hons)

2023-24 (also available for 2024-25)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

18 September 2023

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement year
5 years part-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BCC

BTEC - DMM-MMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

30

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. You could get involved in the award-winning Huddersfield Literature Festival: past students have gained experience in festival planning, programming, curating and stewarding.
  2. Excellent employment prospects: 90% of graduates are in work / further study 15 months after graduating.
  3. You'll be able to study from a wide range of module options and undertake diverse and unique forms of coursework assessment, but no exams.

If you love books and enjoy exploring new ideas, then English Literature is for you. During this course, you’ll not only get to read (and discuss) some of the greatest works ever written but also learn how to research, analyse, debate and create. There are lots of English Literature courses out there, so why choose us?

  • We offer a wide range of module options to choose from, diverse and unique forms of coursework assessment (but no exams), and excellent employment prospects.
  • We get you out of the classroom on a range of exciting fieldtrips including The Bronte Parsonage, The British Library and Shakespeare's Globe in London.
  • You'll learn to navigate digital resources and to present your ideas using the latest media.
  • Every year students also have the chance to get involved in events at the Huddersfield Literature Festival.

We never lose sight of the pleasure that comes from reading, discussing and writing. We also want you to finish your course with the kind of practical, transferable skills needed in the real world – things like critical thinking, researching, independent study, communicating and arguing persuasively.

Course detail

Core module:

Literary Genres

You'll be introduced to literary texts which represent the established genres that form the foundation of Western literary tradition. You'll have the opportunity to explore how they've been adapted, modified and reformed in later periods and across cultures. You'll also have the chance to explore literary conventions and innovations, along with concepts and terms used in the analysis of literary texts. The assessment for this module consists of a mixture of written coursework and presentational assignments.

Option modules:

Choose four from a list which may include:

Thinking Critically

This module introduces approaches to studying literature at university level. We do this via a series of questions, such as ‘what is culture?’ ‘what is gender?’ and even ‘what is time?’ You’ll have the opportunity to evaluate ideas and concepts from a range of theoretical works, learning to take a critical perspective to the discipline and to think deeply about the cultural world around you. You will be assessed via written coursework and a portfolio in the medium of your choice.

The Essay

This module isn’t just about writing essays – here you can explore the essay as a genre of creative non-fiction through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, gaining expertise from a number of your lecturers. You'll also aim to develop your own ability to use the essay as a powerful medium for analysis, communication and persuasion.

Integrated Learning Portfolio

This module encourages you to take a holistic view of your programme of study, understanding and using links between modules, developing academic skills and using computer skills to become an effective independent learner. You’ll aim to become reflective in your work and learning, and be critical in decision making and thinking. This will be recorded as part of a portfolio of work.

Introduction to Research

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of research in literary and cultural studies. Attention will be focused upon the practical aspects of conducting research and the main methods of identifying and evaluating research materials. A series of workshops and seminars will introduce you to library and online resources. You will explore critical and historical resources and identify a variety of research material. The appropriate use of particular material for specific research purposes will be examined. You will become familiar with research terminology and research practice, including the use of digital tools such as database searches and bibliographic management software. The module incorporates a series of skills workshops in addition to the core of lectures and seminars on the focused study of one particular literary topic related to the research expertise and scholarly publications of the module leader.

Entry requirements

BBB-BCCat A Level .

120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Merit at T Level.

DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

​Applications from international students will be considered on an individual basis, and with advice from the University's International Office.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered.  For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Placements


The course offers a compulsory 5 week work placement in Year 2. If you’re studying full-time, this course also offers an optional one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Recent graduates have taken placements at Pen and Sword Books, Kirklees TV, Numberworks & Words, The Halifax Courier, Garibaldi College, Scoill Vallajeelt - Isle of Man, Bradford Police Museum and a range of primary and secondary schools including Batley Grammar School.

I have gained experience in multiple fields, such as: editorial, marketing, advertising and publishing whilst on placement at Grist.

English Literature Student

Charlotte Edwards, English Literature BA(Hons) completed placement at Grist Books

Hear from our Students

Your Career


As an English Literature graduate, you are valued for the advanced skills you have developed in critical thinking, researching, independent study, communicating and arguing persuasively. Depending on your specialism, your career choices are as varied and exciting as your degree course.

Our graduates have gone on to work in teaching, PR, social media, script writing and law. Others have opted for PGCE study and have become teachers, or continued their studies at Master's level.

*Percentage of our undergraduate students from this course go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

95% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Research excellence

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, which means you develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant to industry.

86.9% of our research is ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent and our combined total of publications places us 4th in the country for research outputs (REF 2014). Our work in English specifically is recognised by the University having been listed in the 2018 QS World University Rankings by subject for 'English Language and Literature'.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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