English, American and Postcolonial Literature with an Approved Year Abroad

The English, American, and Postcolonial Literature programme at the University of Kent offers students an in-depth exploration of literary traditions and cultural histories from the English-speaking world. This comprehensive degree is designed to nurture critical thinking, analytical skills, and a rich understanding of texts ranging from classic to contemporary writers. Throughout the course, students will engage with a diverse array of literary works, examining themes such as identity, migration,colonialism, and resistance, which are central to postcolonial studies. The programme provides a unique opportunity to study literature from the United Kingdom, North America, and formerly colonized nations, fostering a global perspective on literary expression and cultural dynamics.

A core component of the course is the Year Abroad, during which students will spend an approved year studying at partner institutions across the UK or abroad. This immersive experience enhances language skills, cultural awareness, and academic independence, all of which are crucial for a career in literary studies, education, media, or related fields. The programme's curriculum combines traditional literary analysis with interdisciplinary approaches, including cultural studies, history, and critical theory, equipping students with a broad set of skills applicable both academically and professionally.

Students will benefit from the expertise of renowned faculty members who are specialists in their fields, and from access to extensive resources, including special collections, digital archives, and literary festivals. Assessment methods include essays, presentations, and exams, encouraging varied forms of intellectual engagement. By completing this programme, graduates will be well-equipped to pursue postgraduate studies or to enter careers in publishing, journalism, education, translation, or cultural management. The programme's emphasis on critical analysis, cross-cultural understanding, and language skills makes it a valuable pathway for those interested in the rich and diverse landscape of English, American, and Postcolonial literature.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 240 ECTS
Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

EN333 - Romanticism

EN302 - Early Drama

EN331 - Readings in the Twentieth Century

EN332 - Writing America

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

EN695 - Empire, New Nations and Migration

EN697 - Chaucer and Late Medieval English Literature

EN694 - Shakespeare and Early Modern Drama

EN692 - Early Modern Literature 1500-1700

EN681 - Novelty, Enlightenment and Emancipation: 18th Century Literature

EN672 - Reading Victorian Literature

EN675 - Declaring Independence: 19th Century US Literature

EN677 - The Contemporary

EN689 - Modernism

Year abroad

You have the opportunity to study abroad in either Europe, America or Hong Kong for a year between Stages 2 and 3. We have exchange agreements with over 20 universities.

Possible modules may include:

EN642 - English & American Literature: Year Abroad 1

EN643 - English & American Literature: Year Abroad 2

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

EN655 - Places and Journeys

EN661 - The Stranger

EN583 - Postcolonial Writing

EN586 - Language and Place in Colonial and Postcolonial Poetry

EN597 - Postcolonial Long Essay

EN598 - Postcolonial Long Essay

EN604 - The Unknown: Reading and Writing

EN623 - Native American Literature

EN633 - Bodies of Evidence: Reading The Body In Eighteenth Century Literature

EN637 - Unruly Women and Other Insubordinates: the dramatic repertoire of the Q

EN646 - Image, Vision and Dream: Medieval Texts and Visual Culture

EN588 - Innovation and Experiment in New York, 1945- 1995

EN580 - Charles Dickens and Victorian England

EN666 - From Book to Blog: Geoffrey Chaucer and his Afterlives

EN667 - Harlem to Hogan's Alley: Black Writing in North America

EN668 - Discovery Space: New Theatres in Early Modern England

EN669 - Marriage, Desire and Divorce in Early Modern Literature

EN670 - Lyric, Ballad and Popular Song

EN656 - Heroes and Exiles: An Introduction to Old English Poetry

EN657 - The Brontes in Context

EN658 - American Crime Fiction

EN659 - Contemporary Irish Writing

EN660 - Writing Lives in Early Modern England: Diaries, Letters and Secret Selv

EN676 - Cross-Cultural Coming-of-Age Narratives

EN684 - Clouds, Waves & Crows: Writing the Natural, 1800 to the Present

EN687 - Poetry and Crisis, from the First World War to Occupy

EN701 - The Global Eighteenth Century

EN702 - Thomas Hardy

EN703 - The 'Real' America: Class and Culture in the American Gilded Age

EN704 - Discord and Devotion: Society & Spirituality in Middle English Literatu

EN705 - The Contemporary Memoir

EN707 - The British Novel in the 1860s: Sensing Modern Life

EN708 - Virginia Woolf

EN709 - Animals, Humans, Writing

EN710 - Victorian Aestheticism and Decadence

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement

• A level:AAB including English Literature or English Language and Literature grade B
• Access to HE Diploma:The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma):The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.
• International Baccalaureate:34 overall or 17 at HL, including HL English A1/A2/B at 5/6/6 OR English Literature A/English Language and Literature A (or Literature A/Language and Literature A of another country) at HL 5 or SL 6

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2015 financial support package includes a £6,000 cash bursary spread over the duration of your course. For Ts&Cs and to find out more, visit our funding page.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages. Please note that details of the scholarship for 2015 entry have not yet been finalised and are subject to change.

The English, American and Postcolonial Literature degree programme at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive exploration of diverse literary traditions and cultural contexts. This programme is designed to develop students' analytical skills, critical thinking, and understanding of significant literary texts from the Anglophone world, including English, American, and postcolonial literature. An integral component of the course is the Year Abroad, which provides invaluable international experience, allowing students to immerse themselves in different cultures, expand their linguistic skills, and gain a broader perspective on literature. The Year Abroad is approved by the university and typically includes study placements at partner institutions in English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, or countries in Africa and Asia with a rich postcolonial literary heritage. Throughout their studies, students engage with a wide range of texts, from classic works to contemporary writings, and explore themes such as identity, colonialism, postcolonialism, migration, and cultural difference. The curriculum is designed to foster critical analysis and written and oral communication skills, preparing graduates for careers in education, publishing, journalism, cultural management, and further academic research. The programme combines lectures, seminars, independent research, and occasional workshops, encouraging active participation and intellectual curiosity. Faculty members are distinguished scholars in their fields, providing expert guidance and mentorship. The university's facilities support research and learning in the humanities, including extensive libraries and digital resources. Graduates of the programme are equipped with a deep understanding of the complex relationships between literature and societal change, and many go on to postgraduate study or careers where their cultural and analytical expertise are highly valued. Overall, the programme emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, ensuring students are well-prepared for a variety of professional paths forging links between literary studies and real-world issues in a globalized context.