Italian, English and American Literature

The BA in Italian, English, and American Literature at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the literary traditions of Italy, England, and the United States. This multidisciplinary programme is designed to develop a deep understanding of the historical, cultural, and aesthetic contexts that have shaped the literary works from these regions. By combining courses in Italian language and literature with modules focused on English and American literary studies, students gain a versatile and enriching educational experience that prepares them for diverse career paths in academia, publishing, journalism, translation, and beyond.

Throughout the programme, students engage with a wide range of texts spanning from classical works to contemporary masterpieces. They analyze themes related to identity, society, politics, and innovation across different eras and styles. The programme emphasizes the importance of linguistic skills, encouraging students to improve their proficiency in Italian while also honing critical reading, analytical, and writing skills in English. With a balanced mix of language acquisition and literary analysis, students develop a global perspective on literary history and cultural exchange.

The curriculum includes core modules such as introductory and advanced Italian language courses, studies of Italian literature from the Renaissance to modern times, as well as modules on English and American literature covering key periods such as the Romantic, Victorian, modernist, and contemporary eras. Optional modules allow students to specialize further in areas such as translation, comparative literature, or specific literary periods and genres. The programme also offers opportunities for research projects, creative writing workshops, and study abroad exchanges, enabling students to experience different cultures firsthand and apply their language skills in real-world contexts.

The teaching approach combines lectures, seminars, workshops, and private study, fostering an interactive and engaging learning environment. Students are encouraged to participate actively in discussions, develop independent research skills, and produce critical assessments of literary texts. The programme culminates in a dissertation project where students explore a topic of their choice in depth, demonstrating their analytical abilities and command of the subject matter.

Graduates of this programme emerge with advanced language competencies, critical thinking abilities, and a nuanced understanding of Italian, English, and American literary traditions. They are well-equipped to pursue careers in education, translation, publishing, cultural management, or further academic research. The University of Kent’s strong reputation in the humanities, combined with its vibrant international community, makes this programme an ideal choice for students passionate about exploring the rich literary landscapes of Italy, England, and America.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

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

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

Credits 360

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

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

Course Content

Course structure

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:

DR315 - Modern Theatre: A Theoretical Landscape

DR337 - The Empty Space

PL302 - Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Metaphysics

PL303 - Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics

PL310 - Introduction to Philosopy: Logic and Reasoning

PL315 - Philosophical Reading and Writing (core)

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

DR549 - Acting

DR575 - Victorian and Edwardian Theatre

DR612 - Shakespeare's Theatre

DR667 - Site Specific Performance

DR669 - European Theatre from 1945

DR671 - Puppet and Object Theatre

DR673 - Theatres of the Past 1: the Classics

DR674 - Performance and Art: Intermediality from Wagner to the Virtuals

DR594 - Popular Performance

DR609 - European Naturalist Theatre & Its Legacy

DR663 - Physical Theatre 1

DR681 - Theatres of the Past 2: The Moderns

DR682 - Theatre and Music

PL620 - Justice, Violence and the State

PL584 - Knowledge and Metaphysics: Descartes to Kant

PL588 - Metaphysics, Truth and Relativism

PL595 - Metaethics

PL596 - Philosophy of Medicine

PL599 - Wittgenstein

PL601 - Philosophy of Religion

PL602 - Philosophy of Language

PL604 - Advanced Topics in Mind and Langauge

PL605 - Logic

PL606 - Philosophy of Science

PL608 - Paradoxes

PL609 - Philosophy of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

PL610 - Aesthetics

PL618 - Political Philosophy

PL625 - Continental Philosophy: Kant's Critique of Pure Reason

PL628 - Continental Philosophy: Subject, Identity and the Political

PL638 - Schopenhauer and Nietzsche

PL640 - Normative Ethics

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Year in industry

Three-year joint honours students can apply to spend a year or a term abroad studying at a university either in Europe or the USA.

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

DR683 - Performing Philosophy

DR664 - Physical Theatre II

DR610 - Performing Lives: Theory & Practice of Autobiographical Theatre

DR676 - Introduction to Stand Up

DR678 - Creative Project

DR680 - Theatre & Adaptation

DR619 - Playwriting I: For Beginners

DR629 - Cultural Policies in the British Theatre

DR635 - Dance & Discourse: Dramaturgies of Moving Bodies

DR636 - The Shakespeare Effect

DR648 - Applied Theatre

DR659 - Performing Classical Texts

DR592 - New Directions

DR548 - Theatre & Journalism

PL641 - Normative Ethics

PL639 - Schopenhauer and Nietzsche

PL629 - Continental Philosophy: Subject , Identity and the Political

PL619 - Political Philosophy

PL621 - Justice, Violence and the State

PL624 - Continental Philosophy: Kant's Critique of Pure Reason

PL514 - Knowledge and Metaphysics: Descartes to Kant

PL526 - Aesthetics

PL552 - Metaphysics, Truth and Relativism

PL569 - Metaethics

PL570 - Philosophy of Medicine

PL573 - Wittgenstein

PL575 - Philosophy of Religion

PL576 - Philosophy of Language

PL578 - Advanced Topics in Mind and Language

PL579 - Logic

PL580 - Philosophy of Science

PL582 - Paradoxes

PL583 - Philosophy of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

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

• ABB

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 points overall or 16 at HL

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.

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.

The English and American Literature program at the University of Kent offers a comprehensive exploration of the literary traditions from the English-speaking world, encompassing historical periods from the medieval era to contemporary times. This interdisciplinary course is designed to develop students' critical thinking, analytical skills, and appreciation of diverse literary forms and genres. The curriculum covers a wide range of texts, including poetry, prose, drama, and essays, allowing students to examine the cultural, historical, and social contexts that have shaped English and American literature across centuries.

Students will engage with important authors such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Virginia Woolf, and contemporary writers, fostering an understanding of the evolution of themes, stylistic techniques, and literary movements. The program emphasizes close reading, textual analysis, and theoretical approaches, preparing graduates for careers in areas such as publishing, journalism, education, and research.

The program combines lectures, seminars, and workshops, encouraging active participation and collaborative learning. Students also have opportunities for independent research, culminating in a dissertation that demonstrates their ability to explore a specific topic in depth. The university provides access to extensive resources, including modern libraries, digital archives, and literary databases, supporting students’ scholarly pursuits.

In addition to academic coursework, the program often includes opportunities for cultural engagement, such as literary festivals, guest lectures by eminent writers and scholars, and study abroad options, which enrich students’ cultural perspectives and understanding of global literary traditions. The faculty comprises experienced academics and writers dedicated to mentoring students and fostering an inclusive, stimulating academic environment.

Graduates of the program are well-equipped with advanced literacy, critical analysis, and communication skills, enabling them to succeed in diverse fields such as education, publishing, media, cultural management, and further academic research. The University of Kent’s focus on research-led teaching ensures that students are exposed to the latest developments and scholarly debates within English and American literature.