English literature in the UK

Studying English Lit in the UK allows you to explore a wide range of genres and chronological periods, including recently published literature.
An English Literature degree teaches critical abilities that are applicable to a wide range of jobs. Students will learn how to investigate and examine a work, including discussion, analysis, and reporting, which is useful for professions in publishing, journalism, and broadcasting.


The modules will examine the roots of British and American literature, modern fiction, poetry, and poetics. Analytical skills will be developed, as will critical thinking, which will aid in the development of your capacity to analyze, write persuasively, and argue effectively.


Whether you enjoy Byron, Shakespeare, Chaucer, American lit, Gothic lit, or classic poetry, a degree in English literature will lead to a variety of intriguing professional prospects.

Graduate English Literature Careers and Salaries

Many English Literature graduates pursue careers in journalism, marketing, advertising, teaching, and publishing. Students who complete an English Literature degree can then pursue postgraduate studies.

• The average starting professional wage is £19,000.
• The average initial non-professional salary is £15,600.

English Literature Entry Requirements:

• Typical International Baccalaureate requirements are 32 points.
• ABB meets typical A-level standards.
• Typical IELTS criteria are 6.5 overall and no less than 5.5 in any one component.

Where can I learn English literature?

To understand more about the best English Literature courses in the UK, check out the Guardian University Guide 2024’s top ten ranking English universities:

• Durham University

• University of Warwick

• Lancaster University

• Edge Hill University

• Canterbury Christ Church University

• Anglia Ruskin University

• University of Surrey

• University of Glasgow

• University of Manchester

• Loughborough University

Top English Literature and Linguistics Degrees in the UK.

Studying English Literature in the UK immerses you in a rich literary tradition. The United Kingdom, renowned for its literary achievements, provides students with access to legendary authors, well-known works, and profound cultural understanding. This discipline of study delves into literature from numerous periods and genres, including Shakespeare, Austen, Dickens, and other notable writers.

Students will practice critical analysis, interpretation, and conversation to improve their literary analysis and appreciation skills. UK universities offer some of the world’s best English literature master’s programs and undergraduate courses, with specialized modules focusing on specific periods, themes, or authors, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests while also developing a well-rounded understanding of literary history and theory.


The UK has an indisputable historical relevance in English literature, having produced great writers such as Shakespeare, Austen, Dickens, and Woolf. From the Elizabethan and Jacobean times to the Romantic and Victorian periods, the United Kingdom has been a center of literary innovation, nurturing major movements such as Romanticism and Modernism. With its rich legacy, diversified geographies, and cultural influences, the United Kingdom remains a vital and significant center for English literature.

Discover the finest universities to study English Literature in the UK below, and schedule a free consultation with LINGO now to start your UCAS application.

The Top Ten Universities for English Literature in the UK

The Guardian University Guide 2024 ranks the best ten universities in the United Kingdom for studying English literature, as listed below.

1. University of Saint Andrews

The School of English at St Andrews offers a four-year undergraduate degree in English known as the MA (Hons). The course seeks to provide students a thorough understanding of literature by attentively examining books from diverse genres and historical periods. The programme focuses on investigating ideas, human values, and historical factors that have affected literature across time.


One of the best MA English degrees in the UK allows students to specialise in subjects such as Old English literature, literature and ecology, literature and gender, Victorian culture, creative writing, Cold War writing, and world literature.

Recommended course: MA (Hons) in English.
Entry Requirements: Standard admission grades: AAAAB, with an A in English.
Minimum admission grades: AABB, with an A in English.
International fees: £30,160.

2. University of Oxford.

The University of Oxford, which has one of the world’s greatest English literature departments, offers a BA English Language and Literature degree that covers a broad range of literary works in English from various historical periods and global contexts. The curriculum contains British literature, as well as works from all around the world and those written in other languages.


At Oxford, literature students learn advanced reading skills, analyze and evaluate literary texts within their intellectual and historical contexts, and investigate literary form, technique, criticism, and theory. The course also covers the development of the English language. Tutorials and lectures are taught by current researchers in the subject, and students have access to great library resources such as the Bodleian Library and the English Faculty Library.

Recommended course: BA English Language and Literature.
Entry Requirements: A-levels: AAA; Advanced Highers: AA/AAB. Candidates must have studied English Literature or English Language and Literature at A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB, or a comparable certificate.

International fees: £35,080.

3. Durham University

Durham University’s BA English Literature program provides a thorough educational experience in literary theory and interpretation. Students investigate several modules ranging from classical to current literature and critically evaluate literature’s function in society. The teaching style is informed by the university’s research department, which conducts undergraduate seminars on significant research issues.

The first year’s core modules are Introduction to Drama, Introduction to the Novel, and Introduction to Poetry. The optional modules include Romance and the Literature of Chivalry, Epic and the Literature of Legend, and Ancient Worlds and English Literature.The second year includes fundamental Shakespeare subjects as well as theoretical and practical literary criticism. Optional courses include Chaucer, Old English, Old Norse, Renaissance Literature, American Poetry, and more.

Recommended course: BA English Literature.

Entry requirements: A*AA with English Literature (or combination English Literature and Language A level).
International fees: £38,550.

 

 

4.University of Cambridge.

 

The BA (Hons) English degree at Cambridge University is a prestigious and innovative program that has drawn great writers and thinkers for decades. The program encourages critical thinking, scholarly rigor, and strong writing abilities. Students can learn from prominent critics and intellectuals who specialize in various literary fields.


In the first year (Part IA), students must complete two required papers: Practical Criticism and Critical Practice and Shakespeare. They also begin studying two period papers, which will be assessed in the second year (Part IB). In their last year (Part II), students must write two required papers: Practical Criticism and Critical Practice II and Tragedy, which covers everything from ancient Greek drama to present writing.

Suggested course: BA (Hons). English entry requirements: A. Level: A*AA, IB: 40-42 points, and 776 at Higher Level.
International fees: £25,734.

5. University of Warwick.

The English Literature degree at the University of Warwick provides students with a broad and varied curriculum that investigates the power and significance of writing. The curriculum seeks to provide a thorough awareness of literary culture while also improving critical thinking, writing, and communication abilities.


In the first year, students study the Modes of Reading module, which explores critical thinking in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Medieval and Early Modern Literature module introduces students to works such as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare’s sonnets, and More’s Utopia. The second year focuses on the core topic, Literature in Theory, which helps students gain a better knowledge of literary studies. In their final year, students can select from a variety of programs, including global literature selections, to gain exposure to literature from diverse regions.

Suggested courses: BA English Literature
Entry Requirements: A level standard offer: AAA or A*AB, with grade A in English Literature or English Language and Literature (mixed).

International fees: Band 1 – £24,800. Band 2 – £31,620

6. University College London

The University of London’s English BA programme provides a thorough examination of literature from the seventh century to the present day, with opportunities to specialize in specific periods, the current English language, and subject topics. The first year establishes the groundwork, with emphasis on important narrative texts, Old and Middle English, analytical methodologies, literary theory, and cultural resources.


In later years, students take compulsory courses on Chaucer and Shakespeare and choose from a variety of options ranging from Old English to modern literature, allowing them to pursue personal interests. The adaptable structure enables module selection freedom while balancing breadth and depth in literary research.

Suggested course: BA (Hons). English entry criteria include an IB diploma with 38 points and a total of 18 points in three upper level topics, including English A1 Literature/Language and Literature in grade 6.
International fees: £28,100.

7) Lancaster University

Lancaster University is ranked second in Linguistics by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. Their English Language and Literature degree, taught by a big Linguistics and English Language department, has a comprehensive curriculum that includes plays, films, short stories, novels, and poetry from the sixteenth century to the present.


Core modules in the first year provide a foundation in language and literature, while later years allow for specialization in areas such as Stylistics, British Romanticism, and Forensic Linguistics. The program focuses on analytical skills, data analysis, and academic writing, and it is complemented by a friendly teaching team and closeness to the Lake District, which was popular among Romantic poets.

Suggested course: BA (Hons). English Language and Literature
International Baccalaureate 35 points overall, with 16 points from the top three Higher Level topics.
International fees: £23,750.

8. Edgehill University

Edge Hill’s English Literature degree focuses on interpretative and evaluative skills, which are applied to literary texts through elective courses that explore genres such as Renaissance drama, children’s literature, and Romanticism. Year 1 covers 3,000 years of literary history, honing analytical and research skills. Year 2 delves into certain periods and writers, providing for flexibility through module selection.


Students conduct individual research projects to prepare for the final year. The curriculum develops fundamental communication skills that employers want, paving the way for careers in publishing, journalism, the public sector, and other fields. The emphasis on context and ongoing debate strengthens critical thinking and analytical skills.

Suggested course: BA (Hons). English Literature
Entry requirements: A-level: BBC-BBB.
International fees: £16,500.

9. Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury Christ Church’s English Literature course promotes an examination of literature’s ability to empathize and inspire self-discovery. Students who participate in talks about storytelling empowerment and changing identity markers such as gender and ethnicity benefit from a supportive environment with high satisfaction rates. According to the National Student Survey 2022, 100% of students were happy, demonstrating the staff’s ability to make the subject engaging.


Employers value critical judgment, research abilities, and effective communication, which are developed during the training. There are numerous opportunities to study varied literature, participate in conversations, and interact with famous research institutions, all of which will improve flexibility and inventiveness for future jobs.

Suggested course: BA (Hons). English literature
DDE is the entry prerequisite for A-levels. BTEC: MPP.
International fees: £15,500.

10. University of Leicester.

The English BA degree lays the groundwork for English literature, tracking its development from its earliest origins to its global expressions. With such thorough covering, graduates get unique knowledge and skills. The curriculum’s flexibility, enhanced by a variety of alternative courses, enables students to tailor their studies to their specific interests, ranging from late medieval to contemporary English literature.


Faculty expertise covers multiple genres, including gothic literature, detective fiction, drama, and creative writing. Employability programs in teaching and publishing provide practical experience. The programme covers a wide range of literary styles, prominent individuals, and critical perspectives, demonstrating English literature’s versatility throughout history.

Suggested course: BA (Hons). English
Entry Requirements: International Baccalaureate: Pass the Diploma with 30 points, including six in HL English A or B.
International fees: £19,700.

 

 

Study English Literature in the UK.

If you wish to study English Literature in the UK, schedule a free consultation with LINGO now.

FAQs

1.What qualifications are required to study English Literature in the UK?

To study English Literature in the UK, you will typically need A-levels, an IB diploma, or an equivalent certificate. International students must also demonstrate their English language skills through the IELTS and Pearson PTE tests.

2.How can I obtain a full scholarship to study English Literature in the UK?
Students can apply for major scholarships at UK universities through institutions, government programs, and other organizations. Applying for scholarships frequently requires demonstrating academic brilliance, leadership, and a strong dedication to the field.