English BA
3-4 years
An English BA at Leicester is a journey of discovery and self-exploration. You'll study literature spanning the Middle Ages to the contemporary world, developing you into a formidable communicator, writer and thinker. With the freedom to tailor your studies around your interests, you can focus on the texts, themes and periods that inspire you most.
Course information
Typical offer ABB
UCAS code Q300
Institute code L34
Taught by English
5th in the UK for English (The Times UK University Rankings 2026)
4th in the UK for graduate prospects in English (The Times UK University Rankings 2026)
Course description
Course description
Our English BA offers the opportunity to study literature in a city with a rich history that stretches back two thousand years, from the Romans to its present-day multiculturalism.
Leicester is the final resting place of King Richard III, immortalised by Shakespeare, and has been home to celebrated writers including Joe Orton and Sue Townsend. Today, the city continues to support a vibrant literary culture through the spoken word, publishing and community arts.
You will explore the full range of literatures in English, from the late medieval period to the twenty-first century. Along the way, you will develop your creativity, engage with new technologies and investigate how literature responds to global cultures, historical change and contemporary debates. Through Literary Leicester and the University's Centre for New Writing, you will become part of a thriving literary community that believes literature should be accessible to everyone.
Flexibility is at the heart of the degree. A wide range of option modules allows you to begin shaping your studies around your own interests from the very start. You will analyse literature through a variety of critical approaches, develop your own ideas with confidence and learn from staff whose research has been recognised as world-leading and internationally excellent.
Our teaching staff are active researchers across a broad range of fields, including Caribbean and African literature, literature and medicine, Victorian studies, contemporary literature, early modern literature and creative writing. This breadth of expertise ensures that your learning is informed by the latest developments in literary scholarship.
Employability is embedded throughout the course. Whether you are interested in journalism, teaching, publishing or another professional pathway, our employability-focused modules provide opportunities to gain workplace experience, hear directly from industry professionals and develop the skills employers value most. Dedicated support from the University's Careers and Employability Service will help you recognise and communicate the transferable skills you develop throughout your degree.
Hear from Jeffrey Boakye
Award-winning British author, educator, broadcaster and journalist Jeffrey Boakye discusses the value of studying English, the power of literature and the opportunities that literary study can create.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: ABB at A-level including English (Language, Literature or combined). Two AS-levels may be considered in place of one A-level. General Studies is accepted
- EPQ with A-levels: BBB at A-level including English (Language, Literature or combined) + EPQ at grade B
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points, including 6 in HL English A or B
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction. To include 12 credits at Distinction in English Level 3 Modules
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with D*DD. Plus grade B in A-level English (Language, Literature or combined)
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Foundation Year available
If you don’t quite meet the above entry requirements, why not consider our Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Foundation Year?
Flexible entry requirements
We welcome applications from motivated students whose predicted grades are slightly below our standard entry requirements. We understand that predicted grades are not always an accurate reflection of your final results, and we’re happy to consider your application. Although we can’t guarantee an offer due to the high volume of applications, if you’re eligible, we may still offer you a place based on our standard requirements.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the department.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2026
- £9,790 in your first year.
- For the 2027/28 academic year, the Home UK tuition fee is expected to be £10,050. Further increases are anticipated to be implemented automatically through government legislation, therefore it is likely that your tuition fees will rise for each subsequent year of your studies.
Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2026
- £20,200 per year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Studying English at Leicester is about more than reading great literature. As a SHAPE subject (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy), English helps you develop the skills employers consistently value: critical thinking, communication, creativity, cultural awareness and problem-solving.
Through close reading, independent research, literary analysis and collaborative project work, you will learn to interpret complex information, evaluate evidence, communicate persuasively and understand the social, cultural and historical forces that shape the world around us. These highly transferable skills prepare you for careers across a wide range of sectors and professions.
An English degree does not prepare you for just one career path. Instead, it equips you with the intellectual agility to adapt and thrive in an evolving global workplace. Whether your interests lie in publishing, journalism, education, marketing, communications, law, public policy, the cultural and heritage sectors, the creative industries or beyond, you will graduate with the confidence and adaptability to navigate a changing employment landscape.
By combining deep human insight with strong analytical and communication skills, English graduates become adaptable, socially aware professionals who are ready to understand, question and shape the future.
Employability is embedded throughout the degree, with all students undertaking at least 100 hours of work-related learning in Year 2. These modules have been developed in collaboration with employers, professional practitioners and industry partners to help you apply your academic knowledge in real-world contexts while building practical experience and professional networks.
Modules include:
Global Voices in the Publishing Industry
- Complete a 70-hour placement with a literary organisation.
- Contribute to editorial, marketing or events projects.
- Gain first-hand insight into the contemporary publishing sector while working with publishing professionals and/or independent arts organisations and platforms.
Arts Journalism
- Learn and practise professional journalistic skills such as interviewing, reviewing and feature writing.
- Attend exhibitions, literary events, performances and archive visits.
- Build a portfolio of work and reflect on professional practice through industry-informed assessments.
English and Education
- Gain experience working with learners in primary or secondary schools.
- Spend time in school settings supporting teaching and learning activities.
- Develop lesson planning, classroom communication and reflective practice skills, with input from teaching professionals.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Undertake supervised teaching placements working with English language learners.
- Collaborate with experienced TESOL practitioners and education professionals.
- Develop practical teaching, communication and intercultural skills that are highly valued both in the UK and internationally.
Advanced Creative Writing Skills
- Work on professional writing briefs and simulated publication projects.
- Learn from internationally recognised writers and editors.
- Develop the skills needed to write for publication and engage with the creative industries.
Your Career and Other Stories
- Explore career planning through employer-informed projects, professional challenges and reflective activities.
- Produce career-focused outputs including blogs, reports and self-evaluations that help you identify and articulate your strengths to future employers.
These opportunities allow you to build valuable experience while exploring career pathways in publishing, journalism, education, marketing, communications, public relations, content creation, the cultural and heritage sectors, charities, the civil service and the wider creative industries.
Alongside subject-specific employability opportunities, Leicester's award-winning Careers and Employability Service provides one-to-one careers guidance, CV and application support, employer networking events, skills workshops, internships and placement opportunities, helping you prepare for graduate employment or further study with confidence.
As an English graduate, you will leave Leicester with not only an excellent knowledge of literature and culture, but also the professional experience, practical skills, adaptability and career agility sought by employers in an increasingly diverse and competitive graduate job market.
Graduate destinations
Our graduates secure roles across a wide range of sectors including:
Private Sector:
- Pan Macmillan Publishing
- Nub News
- Manx Radio
- Barclaycard
Public Sector:
- The British Council
- Tokyo Metropolitan University
- Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Charity and Third Sector:
- British Heart Foundation
- Anthony Nolan
(Graduate Outcomes Survey)
Top 10 in The Midlands for Career Prospects (The Guardian University Guide 2026)
Rachel studied English with a year abroad and went on to become Head of English and Associate Assistant Principal at a secondary school in London.
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
Integrated AI
Integrated AI
At Leicester, you will study with full access to Microsoft 365 Copilot through our collaboration with global tech leader, Microsoft. As one of the first Microsoft Frontier Universities in the UK, we are helping to shape how AI is used in higher education and the workplace.
You will build practical, transferable skills that employers value. From analysing information and solving problems to communicating ideas and working collaboratively, you will learn to apply your knowledge in a digital world.
When you graduate, you will leave with more than a degree. You will have the skills and confidence to work with the technologies shaping your future.
100 hours work-related learning
100 hours work-related learning
Your future career starts right here, whilst you study. On all of our undergraduate courses you are guaranteed 100 hours of real, employer‑informed work‑related learning, built directly into your course.
You will gain a range of skills and grow in confidence through a mixture of activities, aligned closely to your subject. This could range from placements, clinics, laboratory work, field work and “real-world” projects such as live briefs, consultancy challenges, simulations, and virtual internships (discipline aligned and interdisciplinary).
By the time you graduate you'll be able to articulate and demonstrate to future employers you have the skills they are looking for as well as the understanding of your subject.
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
In Year 1, you develop the crucial skills needed to study English at university level, learning how to write effectively and communicate with different audiences. You will study the major literary genres of poetry, prose and drama, explore an exciting range of novels from the Victorian period to the twenty-first century, and encounter the Renaissance stage in all its richness. You will also choose two option modules from literature and creative writing-related subjects to begin developing your own academic interests.
Core modules
- Reading Poetry
- Writing Matters
- The Novel Around the World (double module)
- Renaissance Drama: Shakespeare and his Contemporaries (double module)
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
Then choose one option module from:
- Introduction to Writing Creatively: Part 2
- Literature for Children and Young Adults
- American Literature in the Twenties and Thirties
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year 2
Year 2
In Year 2 you will have the opportunity to discover literature from the medieval and early modern periods, and be able to explore the literary and theoretical movements that have shaped contemporary literature and language studies. You will also be able to choose from a generous selection of specialist option modules, to enhance your employability profile and benefit from our research expertise.
Core modules
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Romantic Literature from Blake to Shelley (double module)
- Eighteenth-Century Literature from Restoration to Revolution (double module)
Choose one option module from:
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Adolescence in American Fiction and Film
- Chaucer’s Worlds
- Diversity in Contemporary American Literature
- Using Stories
- Gothic
Choose one option module from:
- Modern Literature from Conrad to Orwell (double module)
- Contemporary Literature from 1945 to Now (double module)
Choose one option module from:
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Advanced Creative Writing Skills
- Global Voices and the Publishing Industry
- Arts Journalism
- English and Education
- Your Career and Other Stories
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year Abroad (optional)
Year Abroad (optional)
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Final Year
Final Year
Your final year of study will allow you to explore texts from the Romantic period up to the globalised writing of our contemporary world. You will also be able to write a dissertation on a research topic entirely of your own choosing, and take a range of modules led by specialists in their academic fields.
Core module
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Renaissance Literature from Utopia to Paradise Lost (double module)
- Victorians: from Oliver Twist to The Picture of Dorian Gray (double module)
Plus two option modules from:
- Science Fiction: Exploring Space and Time
- Writing Voices
- Classical Worlds: Translation and Reception
- Writing Prose Fiction
- The Living and the Dead in Nineteenth Century Literature and Culture
- Watching the Detectives: Crime on the Page and Screen
Then choose two option modules from:
- Queering the Renaissance
- Literatures of Protest: Reading and Political Action
- The Latin World: Ancient, Medieval and Modern
- Weird Fiction/Weird Film
- The Other in American Fiction and Film
- The Thatcher Factor: The 1980s in Literature
- Jane Austen: The Novels, their Contexts and their Adaptations
- Tragedy
- Twenty-First Century Global Literature
- Writing for Laughs
- Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Why Leicester?
English at Leicester
It wasn’t just the books that made the library special for Bobby – he loved the building too.
Develop as both a reader and writer. Study English literature alongside creative writing from your first year, building skills in close reading, storytelling, editing, reflection and performance across forms including fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and screenwriting.
Explore English literature from the medieval period to the present day while tailoring your degree through a wide range of option modules. Access the David Wilson Library's rare books, manuscripts and special collections, including the archives of Leicester writers Joe Orton and Sue Townsend, to enhance your studies.
Choose from specialist employability modules in areas such as publishing, arts journalism, education, TESOL, creative writing and career development. Gain real-world experience through placements, teaching opportunities and employer-led projects that build professional skills, industry connections and confidence for your future career.
Join a lively creative community. Take part in a writing culture connected to the Centre for New Writing [S2.1] and Literary Leicester, with lectures, masterclasses, workshops and visiting authors throughout the year.
Reading list
See the types of texts you might read, over the summer, to get a feel for the course and arrive prepared and ready to go.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
At Leicester, you will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and independent study. Lectures provide foundational knowledge, while workshops offer opportunities to explore key ideas through discussion with peers and tutors. Most modules are taught through weekly lectures supported by small-group seminars, providing opportunities to discuss texts and ideas in depth, develop critical perspectives and learn collaboratively with your peers.
Our teaching is research-led, meaning that your lecturers are actively contributing to the fields they teach. You will benefit from expertise spanning medieval literature, Renaissance studies, Victorian culture, modern and contemporary literature, creative writing, postcolonial studies and literary theory.
Alongside formal teaching, you will take part in skills-based sessions focusing on research methods, academic writing, presentation skills and dissertation preparation. Many modules also include visits to archives, literary events, exhibitions and other cultural resources that connect your studies to the wider world.
In your final year, you will undertake a substantial independent research project, supported through regular one-to-one supervision with an academic specialist in your chosen area of study.
Assessment
Assessment on the English BA is designed to reflect the wide range of academic, professional and creative skills you will develop during your degree.
You may be assessed through:
- Essays and research projects
- Oral presentations
- Group projects
- Reviews and critical commentaries
- Creative and reflective portfolios
- Posters and digital outputs
- Professional practice assignments
- Dissertation work
Several employability-focused modules incorporate industry-informed assessments that mirror professional practice. Examples include journalism portfolios, publishing projects undertaken with literary organisations, reflective placement work in schools, TESOL teaching portfolios, and career-focused blogging and reporting activities. These assessments help you demonstrate skills that are highly valued by employers, including communication, teamwork, project management, research and audience awareness.
You will receive regular feedback throughout your studies, allowing you to develop your work and build confidence as an independent thinker, researcher and communicator.
Independent learning
Independent study forms a key part of the English BA and enables you to develop the critical thinking, research and time-management skills expected of a humanities graduate.
Outside scheduled teaching, you will spend time:
- Reading primary literary texts and critical scholarship
- Preparing for seminars and discussions
- Conducting independent research
- Working on individual and collaborative projects
- Developing presentations and coursework
- Using archival and digital resources
- Preparing for assessments and dissertation work
The University's David Wilson Library and dedicated study spaces provide excellent facilities for independent learning, while online resources give you access to a wide range of academic materials and specialist databases.
Academic support
You will benefit from a comprehensive support network throughout your degree.
In addition to regular meetings with your personal tutor, you can access support from the Centre for Academic Achievement, which offers guidance on:
- academic writing
- Research skills
- Study and revision techniques
- Presentation skills
- Dissertation planning
- Referencing and source use
You will also have access to specialist support through the University's AccessAbility Centre, which provides advice and practical assistance for students with disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions and long-term health issues.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by leading academics and creative practitioners whose research and professional expertise shape the curriculum. Staff research interests span a diverse range of literary periods, genres and approaches, including early modern literature, Victorian culture, contemporary writing, Caribbean literature, medical humanities, creative writing, gothic fiction, popular literature and postcolonial studies.
Many members of staff are internationally recognised researchers, published authors and editors, ensuring that your learning is informed by the latest developments in the field. You will study alongside experts who are actively contributing to literary scholarship and creative practice, bringing current research, professional insight and specialist knowledge directly into the classroom.
The School's strong research culture is complemented by a rich programme of guest lectures, conferences, seminars and public events, giving you opportunities to engage with visiting writers, scholars and industry professionals throughout your studies.
PhD researchers may also contribute to seminar teaching, working under the supervision of module leaders and bringing fresh perspectives from the forefront of current research.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course English | Qualification BA | Duration 3 years full-time | UCAS Code Q300 | Availability How to apply |
| Course English with Year Abroad | Qualification BA | Duration 4 years full-time | UCAS Code Q300 | Availability How to apply |
Data about this course
There is such a broad range of literature and language, from Old English right through to contemporary writing.