University of Reading United Kingdom

BA English Literature

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a transformative academic journey with the BA English Literature at the University of Reading, a degree designed to ignite your passion for the written word and equip you with sophisticated analytical skills. You will delve into a vast spectrum of literary works, from the intricate poetry of the Renaissance to the radical theatrical forms of the modern era, and explore diverse voices across different cultures and historical periods. This course is ideal for those who are curious about how literature shapes our understanding of the world, offering a deep dive into the power of narrative, performance, and poetic expression. You will develop a critical lens through which to interpret complex texts and engage with enduring questions of identity, culture, and society.

This full-time, on-campus undergraduate degree is structured over three years, providing a comprehensive exploration of English Literature. Your learning will be a dynamic blend of lectures, seminars, and independent research, allowing you to engage deeply with subjects like poetry, theatre, and contemporary fiction. You will have the opportunity to hone your analytical abilities through close textual study and explore practical applications, such as optional modules in creative writing or the business of books. By the end of your studies, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree, prepared for a wide range of careers in publishing, education, media, and beyond, possessing highly transferable skills in critical thinking, communication, and research.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA English Literature program offers a comprehensive exploration of literary works and their cultural contexts across three years. Students will engage with foundational writing practices, diverse poetic forms, and theatrical analysis in their first year. Subsequent years delve into themes of identity, performance, and culture, alongside a wide array of optional modules covering periods from medieval storytelling to contemporary fiction, film, and theatre. The curriculum culminates in opportunities for independent research through dissertations or creative projects, allowing for specialized study in areas such as British Black and Asian literature, children's literature, or specific authors like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce.

1 YEAR 1

Theory and Practice of Writing Compulsory
Poetry in English Compulsory
Analysing Theatre and Performance Compulsory
Radical Forms in Theatre and Performance Compulsory
Introduction to Drama Optional
Modern American Culture and Counterculture Optional
Shelf Life Optional
Comedy on Stage and Screen Optional
What is Comparative Literature? Optional
Thinking Translation: History and Theory Optional

2 YEAR 2

Identity, Performance and Culture Compulsory
Myth, Legend and Romance: Medieval Storytelling Optional
Contemporary Fiction Optional
Victorian Literature Optional
Placement and Employment Skills Optional
Documentary Optional
Reworking Shakespeare in Performance Optional
Directing and Dramaturgy Optional
Television and Contemporary Culture Optional
Film Forms and Cultures Optional
Modernism in Poetry and Fiction Optional
Writing in the Public Sphere Optional
The Business of Books Optional
Enlightenment Revolution and Romanticism Optional
Writing America: Perspectives on the Nation Optional
Critical Thinking Optional
Early Modern Literature Optional

3 YEAR 3

English Literature Dissertation Optional
Theatre Dissertation Optional
Creative Research Project Optional
Lyric Voices, 1340-1650 Optional
British Black and Asian Voices: 1948 to the Present Optional
Literature and Mental Health Optional
From Romance to Fantasy Optional
Decadence and Degeneration: Literature of the 1890s Optional
Performance and Poetry Optional
Adaptations Design Optional
Advanced Scriptwriting Optional
Screen Bodies Optional
Children's Literature Optional
The Bloody Stage: Revenge and Death in Renaissance Drama Optional
Modern and Contemporary British Poetry Optional
Virginia Woolf Optional
Writing Women: Nineteenth-Century across Stage and Screen Optional
Musical Theatre Optional
Film Festivals and Programming Optional
James Joyce Optional
Placing Jane Austen Optional

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 104,824.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 1,126.00 - USD 18,832.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on WhiteKnights Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

94%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Amusement & Recreation ServicesBrand ManagementCreative & ContentFilm & Television ProductionMarket Research & InsightsMuseums & Cultural HeritageMusic & Performing ArtsPhotojournalism & Visual MediaPublic Broadcasting & DocumentaryPublic Relations

Top Employers Hiring for this course

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Sky Group

Why Study BA English Literature at University of Reading

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Reading in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA English Literature at University of Reading

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. No separate work permit is required.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For Duolingo, you need a comprehension score of 105 and an overall score of 135. IELTS requires an overall score of 7.0 with no component lower than 6.0, among other tests accepted.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as literary critics, editors, authors, and educators.

What will I actually study in this course?

Explore a range of writers from across the globe and every period of history, from the middle ages right up to the present, with our BA English Literature course.

Our English Literature degree will enable you to examine in greater detail authors and genres that you may already know (from tragedy to Gothic, from Shakespeare and Dickens to Plath and Beckett). But it will also introduce you to aspects of literary studies that may be less familiar to you, from children's literature to

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA English Literature course starts in September. Make sure to check application deadlines and prepare your documents in advance.
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