English

The Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Birmingham offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of English language and literature, providing students with the essential skills and knowledge to analyze and interpret a wide range of texts from different periods and genres. Throughout the course, students engage with classic and contemporary works, developing critical thinking, close reading, and analytical abilities, as well as enhancing their understanding of literary history, theory, and cultural context. The programme is designed to foster a deep appreciation for the power of language and storytelling, encouraging students to examine the social, political, and historical influences that shape literary production.

Students have the opportunity to study a diverse array of texts, including poetry, prose, drama, and nonfiction, from medieval times to the present day. The curriculum combines core modules in literary history and theory with optional modules tailored to students' interests, ranging from gender studies and post-colonial literatures to contemporary digital writing. The flexible structure allows students to tailor their learning experience, enabling specialization in areas such as Victorian literature, American literature, or modernist studies.

Alongside literary analysis, the programme emphasizes developping essential transferable skills, such as writing, research, and communication, which are highly valued in various career paths. The department encourages active engagement with contemporary debates in literature and promotes participation in seminars, workshops, and literary events. Students also benefit from the university's extensive resources, including specialized libraries and digital archives, to support their research and coursework.

The Birmingham English programme prepares graduates for a wide range of careers, including publishing, teaching, journalism, media, and the arts, as well as enabling further academic study at postgraduate level. With a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity and creativity, the course aims to nurture thoughtful, expressive, and critically aware individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to society.

Detailed Course Facts

• English

Course Content

First-year modules cover a broad span and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying literature at university. By the third year, your modules will focus on specific writers or themes and reflect the research expertise of the Department’s academic staff. The structure of the course ensures that you study a well-rounded programme, with good coverage of different periods and genres, whilst also allowing you to pick from a wide range of optional modules. The BA English focuses mainly on English Literature with a small component of English Language. Our aim throughout your degree course is to guide and support you in your progress, helping you to gain confidence as a reader, researcher and writer, and assisting you to prepare for life beyond your undergraduate studies.

First year

In your first year, the emphasis is on acquiring the foundational skills and knowledge which will form the basis of your studies throughout the rest of your degree. In your core modules you will work on a wide variety of authors and genres, including texts from the medieval period through to the present day, and will spend a small proportion of your time studying English Language. You will be encouraged to develop your skills in literary analysis and essay-writing, and will also be introduced to the major library and electronic resources relevant to the university-level study of English literature. In your optional modules there is the opportunity either to explore writing from the local region or to study landmark texts from other parts of Europe. There is also the opportunity to take a module from outside your main discipline (MOMD) or to take a module from a different area within your discipline (for example a Creative Writing module such as ‘Story-telling for Page and Screen’)

Second year

In your second year you will continue your studies in all major literary periods, choosing optional modules within these periods, thereby having the opportunity to tailor your studies to your interests and to work more closely on the key literary issues and genres of your choice. You will be expected to take one module from each of four periods: Medieval, Early Modern, Romantic and Victorian, and post-1900. There is also a choice of different options for your second-year language module and for your sixth module you may choose to take either another Module Outside Main Discipline (MOMD) or take a Transhistorical Literature Option. Options may include: From Plato to Postmodernism, Shakespeare’s Sisters and Writing the Region.

Third year

A distinctive feature of the third year of the course at Birmingham is the Shakespeare module, for which you will have the advantage of being taught by our world-leading colleagues from the prestigious Shakespeare Institute in Stratford. Apart from this, you will have a free choice of modules from a wide range of Literature Options, having opportunities to focus upon your main areas of interest within the discipline. These modules are research-led, meaning that you will be taught by a leading specialist in the field. You may also choose to continue your language studies with a Language Option module.

There is a compulsory independent research element to your final year, allowing you to engage with your particular interests as well as developing your research skills to a high standard. This may either be in the form of a short dissertation of approximately 5,000 words or a 10,000 word research project; whichever option you choose you will have one-to-one supervision to support you in your research and writing. If you opt for the short dissertation, you may take either a Module Outside Main Discipline or another Literature Option.

English Language Requirements

CAE score : 80(Grade A)

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

Requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: AAB

Required subjects and grades: A level English Literature or A level English Language and Literature grade A

Additional information:

International Baccalaureate: 35 points to include English at higher level with a minimum of 6 points

Other qualifications are considered

International students:

Standard English language requirements apply: IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band; TOEFL IBT 93

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

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 Birmingham.

The English program at the University of Birmingham is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of English literature, language, and cultural studies. The program covers a wide range of topics, including medieval and renaissance literature, modern and contemporary texts, linguistic analysis, and cultural history. Students will explore the development of the English language and its influence on literature and society, gaining critical skills in interpretation, analysis, and communication. The curriculum encourages independent research and original thought, preparing graduates for careers in education, publishing, media, and other fields that require strong analytical and communication skills.

The program typically combines lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent study, offering a flexible yet rigorous learning environment. Students may have the opportunity to undertake optional modules in related disciplines such as creative writing, film studies, or linguistics, allowing for a tailored academic experience. Assessment methods include essays, presentations, examinations, and dissertations, emphasizing both individual achievement and collaborative learning. The University of Birmingham is known for its vibrant campus community and strong support network, including access to dedicated resources such as the Language and Literature Library and research centers.

The program aims to develop not only a deep understanding of English literature and language but also transferable skills such as critical thinking, research methodology, and digital literacy. These skills are valuable in many contexts beyond academia, including media, arts, and public service sectors. Graduates of the program often pursue further postgraduate study or enter a variety of professional fields where their analytical abilities and cultural insights are highly valued. The program is for students passionate about English and eager to engage with texts and ideas across historical and contemporary contexts, fostering an appreciation for the power of language and storytelling in shaping human experience.