English

The University of Cambridge offers a comprehensive and rigorous program in English Studies that immerses students in the rich history, diverse literature, and evolving language of the English-speaking world. This program is designed to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for the cultural and literary heritage of English. Throughout the course, students explore a wide range of texts from different periods, including Medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic, Victorian, and modern literature. They examine key themes, stylistic features, and historical contexts to gain a nuanced understanding of literary development over centuries.

In addition to literary analysis, the program emphasizes the study of the English language itself, including its structure, history, and variations across different regions and communities. Students engage with linguistic theories and gain insights into how language influences and reflects societal changes. The curriculum also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary studies, integrating topics such as philosophy, history, cultural studies, and media, allowing students to see the interconnectedness of literature and other fields of knowledge.

Teaching methods combine lectures, seminars, workshops, individual tutorials, and extensive independent research. Students are encouraged to develop original interpretations and to engage actively in academic debates. The program fosters critical writing, research skills, and effective communication, preparing graduates for careers in education, publishing, media, writing, and beyond. Assessment methods include essays, presentations, exams, and a dissertation that allows students to pursue a specialized research topic under the supervision of experienced faculty.

The University’s outstanding resources include extensive libraries, digital archives, and access to a vibrant academic community. Students are often encouraged to participate in a range of cultural events, literary festivals, and visiting lectures to enhance their educational experience. Graduates of the Cambridge English Studies program are well-equipped with analytical skills, cultural awareness, and depth of knowledge that serve as a foundation for advanced postgraduate study or diverse professional pursuits within and outside academia. This program exemplifies Cambridge’s commitment to excellence in the arts and humanities and offers an intellectually stimulating environment for aspiring scholars and future leaders in the field of English studies.

Teaching is provided through lectures, seminars, and small-group supervisions and classes.

You typically attend at least six hours of lectures or seminars, and two to three hours of individual, paired or small-group supervision each week. You normally write one or two short essays per week which you then discuss with your supervisor.

As well as unseen exams, there’s a compulsory dissertation and over the three years, you can replace three more of the written exams with coursework. Prizes are awarded for the best work.

Years 1 and 2 (Part I)

You’re introduced to the full range of English literature from the Middle Ages to the present day. There are few set texts so that while you must study widely, you can also focus on topics of interest to you. Over the first two years, you take two compulsory papers:

• English Literature and its Contexts 1300-1550
• Shakespeare

And you choose four from the following:

• Practical Criticism and Critical Practice
• Early Medieval Literature and its Contexts 1066-1350
• English Literature and its Contexts 1500-1700
• English Literature and its Contexts 1660-1870
• English Literature and its Contexts 1830-1945, or English Literature and its Contexts 1870-Present

One or two of the last three optional papers can be replaced with coursework (one dissertation and one portfolio of essays).

Subject to certain restrictions, you are also able to take papers from the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic; Classics; or Modern and Medieval Languages courses ('shared' papers).

Year 3 (Part II)

You take two compulsory papers:

• Practical Criticism
• Tragedy, which ranges from ancient Greek drama to contemporary writing

You also write a compulsory dissertation (of 6,000-7,500 words) and either submit a second dissertation (of 6,000-7,500 words) and take one optional paper, or choose two optional papers. The optional papers change regularly – the following are available in 2016-17:

• Chaucer
• Medieval English Literature 1066–1500: The Medieval Supernatural
• Material Renaissance
• Lyric
• Modernism and the Short Story
• English Moralists
• American Literature
• Postcolonial and Related Literatures
• History and Theory of Literary Criticism
• Literature and Visual Culture
• Contemporary Writing in English
• Early Modern Drama 1588-1642
• Special Period of English Literature 1847-72

Subject to certain restrictions, it’s possible to take papers from the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic; Classics; or Modern and Medieval Languages courses. 

• All applicants to the University of Cambridge must submit an application to UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by the relevant deadline.
• The Attestat o (polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) is not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge. We strongly recommend that you undertake further study if you wish to apply for an undergraduate degree. Examples of the qualifications that would be considered suitable for admission to Cambridge are A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), five or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or possibly the first year of an undergraduate degree at a university outside the UK. We recommend that you contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
• IELTS – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element.
• Cambridge English: Advanced – grade A or B.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency – grade A, B or C.

Admission assessment

All applicants are required to take the English Literature Admission Test (ELAT) pre-interview for English at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college).

Assessment format

• ELAT (90 minutes)

You must be registered in advance (separately to your UCAS application) to take the assessment – the registration deadline is Sunday 15 October 2017. Your assessment centre must register you for the pre-interview assessment; you’re not able to register yourself. See the written assessments page for information about assessment centres and registration.

The ELAT will be taken on 2 November 2017. It will be a 90 minute assessment. You will be given six passages of poetry, prose or drama, from which you choose two or three to compare in an essay. Please check the Admissions Testing Service website for scheduled start times.

Please note that your performance in the pre-interview assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

In addition to the pre-interview assessment, applicants who are invited to interview are required to take a College-set written assessment at interview at the following Colleges (see individual College websites for details): Churchill, St John's, Trinity

Mature students (aged 21 or over) applying to one of the mature Colleges should refer to the relevant information about pre-interview assessments on the written assessments page.

The Financing studies of the program at the University of Cambridge are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles, funding mechanisms, and resource management within various organizational and economic contexts. The program typically covers a wide range of topics including corporate finance, investment strategies, financial markets, risk management, and public finance. Funding options for students pursuing this degree may include university scholarships, government financial aid, private bursaries, and loans. Cambridge offers a number of merit-based scholarships specifically for postgraduate students, which are highly competitive and awarded based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, and potential contribution to the university community. Additionally, students are encouraged to seek external funding sources such as national research councils, foundations, and industry-sponsored grants. The university's Financial Support Office provides detailed guidance and assistance in identifying and applying for relevant funding opportunities. Students are also often able to work part-time or participate in assistantship roles within the university to help finance their studies. The cost of the program includes tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, textbooks, and other personal costs. Tuition fees vary depending on the specific course and official updates from year to year, but are generally in the range typical for postgraduate studies at top UK universities. Cambridge also offers flexible payment plans to help students manage their financial commitments over the course duration. For international students, additional costs such as visa fees and travel expenses should be considered, and there are specific funding opportunities available to support international applicants. Overall, the university emphasizes a strong commitment to supporting students financially through a combination of institutional funding, external bursaries, and employment opportunities, enabling talented students to pursue their academic ambitions in finance-related fields without undue economic hardship.

Your living expenses may be higher than for a Home student (eg if you stay in Cambridge/the UK during vacations). The minimum resources needed in Cambridge for the year (excluding tuition and College fees) are estimated to be approximately £10,080 in 2017-18 and £10,310 in 2018-19, depending on lifestyle (you should allow for increases in future years).