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Immerse yourself in the fascinating literature of diverse cultures, past and present.
Go beyond books and immerse yourself in reading art, comics, film, marketing materials, music, social media, theatre, TV and video games. Study the literature you love with a personalised degree suited to your passions and interests.
My favourite module has been Children's Literature - it was shocking to learn that I could study childhood books in university! It's been really interesting to explore children's literature from an analytical, adult and literary perspective and from a child's perspective, and then compare the two.
Discover more about your chosen subject at one of our Open Days or by asking us a question.
for English in the UK
Complete University Guide 2025
Enjoy huge module choice and the flexibility to study the areas you're most keen on. Interested in Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf or George Orwell? Or in comics, video games, and interactive performance? You can enjoy all of these topics and plenty more, with additional options to study modules in Creative Writing, Film Studies and Linguistics and Communication.
You’ll have access to unparalleled resources for the study of Shakespeare through our world-leading Shakespeare Institute and collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), both based in beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. Take part in fun and interactive study trips, work with celebrated RSC practitioners and investigate how Shakespeare’s works have been interpreted and reimagined by both historical and international audiences.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Study at the University of Birmingham and learn from world-class experts—authors of key works and leaders with global teaching and research experience.
At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:
Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.
You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.
Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year, you will be eligible to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.
Orients you in the study of literature at university, giving you a broad historical grounding alongside the critical and analytical skills to make sense out of anything you read. Expand your literary encounters through a ‘Discovering’ module.
The following must be taken:
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Critical Environments | 10 |
Cultural Environments | 10 |
Investigate and Interpret | 20 |
Literary Worlds 1770-Today | 20 |
Literary Worlds 900-1770 | 20 |
Theory and Practice | 20 |
Optional modules:
Students should choose one 'Discovering' option from the following list (parts A & B must be taken together):
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
AAB to include A level English Literature or English Language and Literature.
6,6,5 32 points overall (to include HL English Literature or English Language and Literature).
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus a B at A level in English Literature or English Language and Literature.
Number of A levels required: 3
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
BBB to include A level English Literature or English Language and Literature.
ABB to include A level English Literature or English Language and Literature.
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Studying a degree in English at Birmingham is an unparalleled opportunity to not only engage with a diverse cultural, textual and linguistic discipline, but also to develop highly sought-after skills:
These skills last a lifetime and qualify you for many possible career sectors, such as:
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.