English and American Literature

The BA in English and American Literature at the University of East Anglia offers students an in-depth exploration of the literary traditions of both England and America. This comprehensive programme is designed to develop students’ critical reading skills, enhance their understanding of historical and cultural contexts, and foster their ability to analyze a wide range of texts from different periods and genres. Throughout the course, students will engage with canonical works by renowned authors such as Shakespeare, Dickens, Woolf, Faulkner, and Morrison, alongside contemporary voices shaping modern literature. The programme emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining literary analysis with insights from history, cultural studies, and media studies, enabling students to build a broad understanding of literature's role in society.

Students will have the opportunity to study key themes such as identity, race, gender, and politics as they are reflected and challenged in English and American texts. The programme also encourages students to develop their writing and research skills through coursework, dissertations, and presentations, preparing them for a variety of careers in education, publishing, journalism, and the arts. The curriculum is flexible, allowing for specializations in areas like creative writing, literary theory, or cultural studies, depending on students’ interests.

Located at a university renowned for its vibrant literary community and strong support network, students benefit from engaging seminars, guest lectures by eminent scholars and writers, and access to extensive library resources. The university's flexible teaching modes, including full-time and part-time options, enable students to tailor their study experience to their personal circumstances. Graduates of this programme leave equipped with a deep understanding of literary history, analytical skills, and the ability to interpret complex texts, opening pathways to further study or careers in creative and analytical fields. Whether your passion lies in classic literature or contemporary narratives, the BA in English and American Literature at UEA provides an enriching environment to pursue your academic and professional goals.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 10560 Year (EEA)
• EUR 14430 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU £9,000; International £12,300

• English

Course Content

Year 1

The first year requires you to take introductory courses in both traditions, though a slight emphasis is placed on the less familiar American literature and on its social and historical background. Courses such as Imagining America, and Literature in History provide you with the context within which future studies will unfold. You will have a list of optional modules to choose from, encouraging you to broaden your awareness of related subjects such as film, drama, philosophy, linguistics or history.

Year 2 and Year 3

The precise mixture of English and American modules in the second and third years is up to you, and you will discuss your choices with your faculty adviser to make sure that you end up with a balanced programme. You are required to take a number of modules outside the immediate English and American Literature programme. There is a wide range of modules to choose from in the Faculty of Humanities, including free-choice courses in drama, film and creative writing as well as offerings in other literatures and in history.

You can also (and subject to entry requirements) use your free choices to take modules offered by other faculties.

Modules of study are taught in a number of different forms – often lectures and smaller seminar groups – designed to encourage student participation. In every module your work is assessed; forms of assessment also vary, including essays, project work, presentation, examination or a combination of any of these methods. You may also write a dissertation during your final year.

This programme does not include a year in the USA.

Teaching and Assessment:

Key skills, issues and ideas are introduced in lectures given by all members of faculty, including literary critics, literary historians, and writers. More specialist study is undertaken in small group seminars. These are chosen from a range offered within the School and across the University. You will also spend time studying and researching in the library or carrying out practical work or projects. In most subject areas, you are assessed at the end of each year on the basis of coursework and, in some cases, project and examination results. In your final year, you will write a dissertation on a topic of your choice and with the advice of tutors. There is no final examination. Your final degree result is determined by the marks you receive in years two and three.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test : 88

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

Requirements

• Qualification: BA (Hons)
• A Level: AAB-ABB including English Literature grade A
• International Baccalaureate: 33-32 points overall with score of 6 in HL English
• Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB-ABB including English Literature grade A
• Irish Leaving Certificate: Please contact the university for further information.
• Access Course: We are happy to consider Access applicants - please contact the university for further information.
• HND: Please contact the university for further information.
• European Baccalaureate: 80-75% overall, including 80% in English Literature

The combined English Language and Literature A-level is acceptable instead of English Literature. A second Arts or Humanities subject at A-Level is usually preferred. Students studying the IB programme should also offer a second Arts or Humanities subject at Higher Level.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 18 in the Listening and Writing components; 19 in the Reading component; and 21 in the Speaking component)
• PTE: 62 overall with minimum 55 in all components

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

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 East Anglia.

The English and American Literature degree programme at the University of East Anglia offers students an in-depth exploration of the rich literary traditions of the English-speaking world. The course encompasses a broad range of historical periods, from the Old and Middle English eras through to contemporary literature, enabling students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the development of English and American literary cultures. The programme is designed to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and a nuanced appreciation for literary texts, their contexts, and their cultural significance. Students engage with a diverse selection of genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction, and are encouraged to examine themes such as identity, society, politics, and language evolution.

Throughout the course, students benefit from the expertise of experienced faculty members renowned for their research and teaching in literature. The programme includes lectures, seminars, independent research projects, and opportunities for creative writing, aiming to cultivate both academic and creative skills. The University also emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from history, cultural studies, and linguistics to enrich students' understanding of literary works. Study options may include modules on specific periods such as Medieval, Renaissance, Romantic, Victorian, Modernist, and Contemporary literature, allowing students to tailor their degree to their interests.

The university provides access to extensive libraries, archives, and digital resources to support research, along with opportunities for internships, conferences, and publishing work. Graduates of the programme often pursue careers in teaching, writing, publishing, media, or further academic research, equipped with a robust foundation in literary analysis and critical inquiry. The programme also fosters skills in communication, interpretation, and argumentation that are highly valued across numerous professional fields. The university’s vibrant campus community and its connections with cultural institutions, publishers, and literary festivals create a stimulating environment for students passionate about English and American literature. Overall, the programme aims to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable about literary history but also capable of contributing to ongoing cultural dialogues through their insights and creative endeavors.