Key information
UCAS code:
Q301
Typical offer:
104-112 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Study English and media in a city rich in cultural legacy. Charles Dickens was born in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle called these streets home, and Rudyard Kipling’s work was inspired by his early years in the city. If you're interested in how literature and media influences individuals and societies, from fiction, newspapers and television, to social networks, this English and media degree is ideal.
On this BA (Hons) English Literature and Media Studies degree, you’ll examine classic and contemporary literature along with television and social media, and become an expert in reading, analysing and discussing the written works and media that inspire you.
You’ll emerge with a skill set that’s sought after in careers in the arts, publishing and media. The critical thinking, reading and analytical abilities you'll develop will also set you up for postgraduate study or roles in areas like teaching and politics.
Course highlights
- Build your knowledge of English literature, from Shakespeare to the present day, and across genres from crime writing to magical realism
- Learn from expert staff and published media experts, who are doing the latest research in this field
- Work with local and national media companies to further your learning in a practical way and test your skills
- Grapple with current issues and studies in English literature and engage in lively critical debates
- Tailor your studies to the areas of literature and media that excite you the most, choosing modules that match your interests
- Develop analytical reading, presentation and teamwork skills that will serve you in your future career
- Get plenty of one-on-one sessions with your personal tutor
You can also:
- Create your own film script, write a TV drama and learn video production skills
- Help to create and present programmes for the University’s TV and radio stations
- Develop personal and professional contacts locally and further afield through our work-related modules
- Choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities, such as Ghent University, University of Gdańsk, Kiel University, University of Luxembourg and the University of Malaga
- Meet high-profile figures in the literary world and attend a reception at our annual Literary Prizes and Public Acclaim event
- Have the opportunity to learn a foreign language for free as part of your degree, choosing from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Why study English Literature?
From canonical literature to popular culture, students studying English Literature with us can choose from a wide range of modules, and will open themselves up to a wide range of career opportunities.
Hear from staff and students about why they love English Literature at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Josh: For me, English literature has always been escapism.
Rebecca: It's nice to take a book and place it within the society it was written in, and how that then applies to the society we're in now. It challenges you to think about the world as it is currently.
Dr Christopher Pittard: The English Literature course at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ is a three year course, or four year course with a placement.
It's a course which is based on ideas of both canonical literature, some people like Wordsworth, Charles Dickens and Shakespeare, but also sort of more popular forms of culture; the spy novel, science fiction, fantasy fiction.
I think our students want to come and study English Literature at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ because of the range of modules.
Rebecca: In first year we did Global Identities, which covers a lot of translated texts from different places. Some were from India, some from Africa, and I've actually now based my dissertation off what I learned in that module.
Josh: We studied a graphic novel called Fun Home by Alison Bechdel as part of our American Literature module. We got to partner up with some musical theatre students that were actually putting on this production of Fun Home. So we were doing the literary analysis side of it. They were doing the musical version of it, so it was great to kind of look at how our texts are interdisciplinary.
Dr Christopher Pittard: We have a wide range of assessment methods, which looks at the scope of literary history from the early modern period right up to contempt through fiction. We don't have the closed book fixed time exam.
Josh: I grew a love of contemporary literature, which the lecturers were really good at fostering, especially representation of gender and sexuality within more modern day film and literature.
Dr Christopher Pittard: All of the lecturers here at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ are published authors, published researchers. It's very much a course where students can follow their own literary passions and develop their own expertise.
A degree in English literature leads students into a wide range of careers.
Many of our students go into; journalism, into print media, into television, radio publishing, teaching and public relations. It really is a very versatile degree.
It's one of those ones that employers are really interested in. They want the transferable skills that an English literature degree creates.
Josh: You are gaining abilities such as communication, time management. You can synthesise a 500 page word novel and be able to argue for your point of view. I think this comes in handy going into the future.
Rebecca: For those wanting to study English at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, I'd say just go for it. I love the city.
Dr Christopher Pittard: It's the birthplace of Charles Dickens. It's been home to people like Jane Austen. Simon Armitage was a student at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ. Our students get a lot out of reading these literary figures who've lived on these streets and walked these same streets.
Rebecca: It's been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. It's a second home to me.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
To do this degree, you need to apply for the BA (Hons) English Literature course. This is because it's a 'pathway' degree.
You’ll study English Literature in depth and add Media Studies as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3. You’ll graduate with a BA (Hons) English Literature with Media Studies degree when you finish the course.
These are the entry requirements for the BA (Hons) English Literature course.
BA (Hons) English Literature entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBC-BCC
- UCAS points - 104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject (calculate your UCAS points)
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs -
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Careers and opportunities
A degree in English literature and media is a great foundation for a career in the arts, broadcasting or publishing.
Graduate employers also value the sophisticated analytical and presentational skills graduates develop on English and media degrees.
What can you do with an English Literature and Media Studies degree?
After the course, you could work in areas such as:
- advertising
- journalism
- arts and media
- public relations
- copywriting
- teaching and research
You could also study at postgraduate level.
Our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job or course that puts your skills to work. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to five years as you advance in your career.
What jobs can you get with an English literature degree?
From an English Literature degree to BBC Radio 1
Nels Hylton graduated with an English Literature degree. He's now a Presenter at BBC Radio 1.
Find out what it's like to work in the media industry and how the skills Nels learnt during his degree with us have helped him in his career.
Nels: I love doing radio. That drives me to get better every single day.
I graduated from the University in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ with a degree in English Literature.
Before university, I always wanted to be involved in radio to some aspect and when I got to university, that really solidified exactly that this is what I wanted to do.
University definitely taught me so many different life lessons. The main one is storytelling. Being able to talk about a piece of literature or a book and to talk about a piece of music on Radio 1, the skills are pretty much exactly the same.
Being able to block out the stage fright and articulate to a group of people has been something that I've used throughout my career.
The most important part outside of the course that led me to where I am today was probably PureFM, the student radio station in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ. I spent so much time in there just working on radio bits and having fun with my friends.
Those are some of the best memories I have of radio, and I'm super grateful for the opportunities they gave me and allowed me to put that passion to good use and eventually make my way here.
When you're at university, it's very easy to become isolated very quickly but, the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ has so many great support services and the counselling service which I use to pastoral care and chaplaincy.
If I could give any advice to any other students potentially struggling, go to these services and ask them for help because it really helped me hang in there and fight to finish.
Being the first black man to do the Radio 1 Rock Show was such a pivotal moment.
Making other people believe that just because they were born a certain way that they can do anything that they put their mind to.
I really want to do this until the wheels fall off. I'd probably say that the biggest impact is that it taught me that I can juggle a degree and juggle interning and sport and radio.
There were times where I wanted to quit. When it was all said and done, I felt a real sense of accomplishment, the opportunity to prove myself and do whatever I put my mind to, that is the impact that СÀ¶ÊÓƵ had on me.
Placement year
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.
Previous students have been on placements to:
- local schools
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
Work experience and career planning
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.
We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and build your portfolio.
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option. This means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you do alongside your study.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
You’ll investigate ideas of the body as ‘natural’ by examining its role in culturally constructed ideas of gender, race and sexuality.
You’ll explore how the body can be seen as the site of both conformity and resistance, identification and otherness.
Get an introduction to theoretical approaches to reading the body in literature, such as gender theory and posthumanism, as well as key terms and concepts, including queer, abject and grotesque.
You’ll complete the module viewing the body as a lightning rod for questions of belonging, power and social change.
Immerse yourself in world literature classics and modern texts written in English or translated from other languages. Analyse stories that address shared human concerns like environment, power, ethnicity and gender.
You’ll discover how reading diverse voices fosters a spirit of intellectual curiosity, and discuss and debate literature’s role in an increasingly connected world.
In this module, you'll dive into theories and debates challenging assumptions about artistic quality.
Through key texts spanning from the 19th century to the present day, you'll uncover the contextual forces and power structures influencing critics.
You’ll shed new light on popular fictions' literary functions and cultural impacts, and sharpen critical thinking skills to form educated opinions on what compelling storytelling means to different communities.
Through diverse works, you’ll develop your ideas and apply new concepts, including narrative theory that helps you understand how stories are constructed, and can spark your own literary creativity.
You’ll take part in lectures and group discussions to debate genres and conventions. You’ll nurture your critical awareness, research skills, and essay management, preparing you to examine life’s mysteries through storytelling.
This module will also set you up with all of the referencing skills you'll need to navigate the rest of your degree.
You'll explore fundamental assumptions about what it is to read, write and interpret texts, using select literary texts to examine the links between literature and theory, and to produce increasingly critical and complex readings.
This module will help you get to grips with concepts and ideas that will be crucial to your study of literature throughout your degree.
Core modules
You’ll analyse diverse literary prizes – from the Booker to the Women’s Prize and beyond – and debate the complex criteria applied in judging literary value.
This module gives you access to the commercial world of literary publishing and prizes, offering you the chance to develop professional skills and plenty of opportunity for literary analysis
You’ll use case studies and exercises to see how research develops from initial ideas to finished works.
You’ll review resources and arguments to improve your research skills, and work with other students to refine your dissertation proposal through feedback and peer review.
This module will also help enhance your employability skills through bespoke activities and assessment.
Optional modules
You'll analyse key crime writing texts from detective fiction to philosophical writings on crime and punishment, considering the way they represent criminals, the police, the ethics of the death penalty, as well as historical contexts and theoretical approaches.
This module invites you on an investigative journey through the ethics, identities and politics underpinning tales of crime.
You’ll discover how literature draws on our modern anxieties around climate change, as well as our conflicted relationship with nature, and helps us address these issues.
By investigating the methods and motivations behind ecocritical approaches in literature, you’ll consider the ways in which ecocriticism, ecofeminism, and postcolonial ecocriticism can be used to focus on issues of ecocrisis, environmental justice, sovereignty and power.
There’s also a strong focus on gender, identity, the body, and the relationship between humans and environmental others.
You’ll look at diverse genres that shed light on historical moments such as slavery, post-colonialism, suffrage, second wave feminism and post-feminism.
You’ll analyse how transnational and gender identities are constructed and expressed in a global context, honing skills for contextual literary analysis alongside independent research.
In this module you'll explore both historical and contemporary examples, analysing the various techniques used to control information.
Through diverse case studies, you will observe how propaganda reinforces ideology and capitalism across different forms of media.
By developing your analytical skills, you will gain a better understanding of propaganda's social impact and its relation to power.
This module provides valuable insight into the role played by propaganda in mass-mediated culture and offers tools to question its influence.
You’ll trace the development of film, TV, and digital media, grasping historical impacts and the concept of spectatorship. Look into expert analyses to explore how interactive technologies shape audiences and people. You’ll contextually analyse screen entertainment as an industry, considering economic factors and passive vs active engagement. Through a mix of practical and theoretical work, your projects will showcase your in-depth understanding of the subject. You’ll also evaluate online materials to support your findings.
By the end, you’ll have a well-rounded understanding of screen culture. You can use this to pursue many careers, from media programming to content creation.
You’ll dig into the cultural context of violence in Shakespeare's age, analysing how poetry and performance play on complex dynamics of authority, resistance and ideology.
Through Shakespeare’s works, you’ll develop your own perspectives on the role of war and peace in sixteenth-century English culture.
With a minimum 80-hour commitment, you’ll apply what you’ve learned so far on your degree to real-world professional settings within our community of local businesses, social enterprises, and third-sector organisations.
You’ll have support from interactive workshops, tutorials, and guest speaker events, encouraging you to set achievable professional goals and evolve your professional identity.
You’ll analyse American texts against the backdrop of intellectual, social and political change, evaluating how writers grappled with emerging ideas around national identity, race, gender and more.
By honing skills for contextual analysis and independent thought, you’ll form your own interpretations of iconic works that reflect the American experience.
On this module, you’ll explore philosophical ideas around spaces and places in texts from the seventeenth to the twenty-first century.
You’ll learn how to interpret spatial narratives through your evaluation of interior and exterior spaces, town and country, rooms and landscape.
You’ll analyse how creative works draw on wider cultural anxieties around industrialisation, race, class, and evolving gender roles.
You’ll explore how the media covers topics like environmentalism, immigration, and mental health. By researching, reviewing, and discussing these issues, you’ll use theories to understand urgent, complex debates and sharpen your ability to think ethically.
Looking at past and current real-world controversies, you’ll finish this module ready to make and understand media responsibly.
You’ll look at how some media stories use more than one platform, like books, films, games, and more. Discover how transmedia has changed over time and how to make your own stories more immersive and interactive. You’ll work with others to create and present your own transmedia project.
This module will help you become a skilled transmedia storyteller, ready for the industry. You’ll also improve your teamwork and research skills by collaborating with others. Most of all, your creativity will bloom as you immerse yourself in the future of interactive storytelling.
Optional modules
Work Placement Year or Study Year Abroad
Boost your employability by taking an industry-based work placement year or immerse yourself in another culture by studying for a year at one of our partner universities worldwide.
This is an amazing opportunity to either put everything you’ve learned so far into action in a real workplace in the UK or overseas, or to expand your horizons and set yourself up for your future career by studying abroad.
If you choose a work placement year, we’ll help you find and secure an exciting placement opportunity within an appropriate company or organisation. You’ll have the chance to try out skills and gain experience that’ll help you clarify your next career steps, while building capabilities employers seek.
If you choose to study abroad, you’ll expand your global perspective and develop additional skills to boost your future career, as well as making memories, new friends and career contacts.
Optional modules
It's up to you what your dissertation or project is about – this will be your chance to showcase your passion for English literature by choosing a subject area or topic that most interests you.
You'll draw on everything you’ve learned so far to investigate, analyse, craft and refine your dissertation or project, using existing texts, sources and artefacts to support your arguments and give them context. You'll have the support of a dedicated dissertation tutor to guide you throughout this module.
This real-world, project-based module lets you address an identified need or gap by designing an innovative product, service or resource.
With support from university staff and external partners, you'll demonstrate critical thinking, ethical awareness and project management abilities.
Your final project and presentation will showcase your employability and capacity for high-impact solutions.
You'll explore diverse literary perspectives on the Holocaust, from first-hand accounts to contemporary post-memory texts.
Through critical reading and innovative creative projects both in groups and on your own, you'll grapple with the ethics of memorialisation and the role of cultural memory.
You'll learn about the job application process from the perspective of both candidates and recruiters, thinking about what employers look for in graduates and how you can optimise your own professional profile.
Through mock interviews and assessments, you'll hone your skills and learn how to communicate your achievements and career goals, ready to take the next step after you graduate.
You'll trace the social anxieties and ideological structures conveyed in literary depictions of vampires, monsters and more as you explore every dark corner of this remarkable genre.
You'll develop and apply critical theories unveiling Gothic representation of identities, revolutions, environments and more, and express your ideas creatively through an essay or podcast.
On this module, you’ll analyse constructions of masculinity across US culture, interrogating literary and cinematic stereotypes.
You’ll work in groups to compare key theories and concepts, and consider how ideas of masculinity relate to other cultural and social constructs such as gender, nationality, race, class and sexuality.
Research from diverse lenses to build a questioning, reflective grasp of celebrity's principles and boundaries. Hone skills in independent thought, analysis, and articulation of ideas. Use presentations to illustrate arguments around the societal role of fame.
By analysing global case studies, you’ll assess how journalism prioritises sensational stories over peaceful resolutions during war. You’ll scrutinise the political and societal impacts of media coverage that favours violence and engage in discussions about this bias, forming your well-researched viewpoints.
This module invites you to consider how ethical journalism can transform the way we understand global discord.
You'll critically examine representations of appetite, consumption and the body across literary and historical texts from the era.
Debate themes like hunger and self-starvation, gluttony and excess, even vampirism and cannibalism.
Through close reading and contextual analysis, you'll uncover what writings on food can tell us about how the Victorians viewed issues such as gender, race, class, nation and sexuality.
You'll investigate diverse definitions and famous examples of the genre from across the globe, honing advanced textual analysis skills.
Through lively debates, you'll explore magical realism's relationship with history, culture and narrative form, focusing on issues including postcoloniality, the limits of realism, postmodern narratorial techniques, historiography and transculturation.
With a minimum 80-hour commitment, you'll apply what you've learned so far on your degree to real-world professional settings within our community of local businesses, social enterprises, and third-sector organisations.
You'll have support from interactive workshops, tutorials, and guest speaker events, encouraging you to set achievable professional goals and evolve your professional identity.
You’ll get an introduction to the role and representation of time in contemporary fiction, as well as to philosophies of time and temporality.
You’ll also consider the role of time in narrative - what time is and how it underpins and affects narrative structures.
Topics you'll cover may include the present; temporal direction, time, gender and sexuality, reading and readers, contemporary times, and endings and end times.
Use theory and history to see how literature, film, TV, new media, and journalism present technology, scientists, and science’s place in our world. You’ll learn to tell real science from fiction by evaluating their cultural settings. This will help you see how media shapes our understanding of science.
By looking at many examples and carefully thinking about them, you’ll discover how important it is to communicate science creatively.
You'll examine how comedy interacts with culture, society and industry, comparing scholarly perspectives and blending primary and secondary research, to articulate your ideas in writing.
Preparing you to apply insights to your own work, this module offers invaluable tools to think deeply about the art of comedy.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- essays
- textual analysis
- presentations
- a dissertation
- practical performance sessions
- simulation
- real-world projects
- creative assignments
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
Teaching staff profiles
Media ready expert
Dr Christopher Pittard
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 9 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Take a literary history tour of СÀ¶ÊÓƵ with us
From Charles Dickens to Sherlock Holmes, СÀ¶ÊÓƵ is steeped in lively literature. Join two of our students for a tour around our literary city.
Chibuzor and Holly: Welcome to СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Chibuzor: Our island city has a really rich history of literature and culture.
Holly: Come and join us for a tour.
Chibuzor: One of our most famous literary residents is Charles Dickens, who was born here on Old Commercial Road. It is now home to the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum.
Holly: СÀ¶ÊÓƵ is also the birthplace of another famous figure. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote his first Sherlock Holmes story while practising as a doctor here in Southsea. Now you can walk in his footsteps while doing a spot of shopping on Elm Grove.
Chibuzor: Thinking of shopping, our popular Gunwharf Quays features in Graham Hurley's DI Faraday crime novel, The Take. Graham Hurley is a friend of the English Literature programme. If you study with us here at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, you may get a chance to work with him in class.
Chibuzor: As an island city, СÀ¶ÊÓƵ has had a huge influence on authors both from home and abroad. Jane Austen often visited here to see her brothers, who were stationed here with the Royal Navy. She was inspired to include СÀ¶ÊÓƵ in her novel, Mansfield Park.
Holly: Stephanie Norgate's poem, Ferries at Southsea, was inspired by the view of ferries here on Clarence Parade Pier. Her poem is strongly rooted in the local area, but also tackles global issues of immigration.
Chibuzor: СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s naval history means we can't shy away from the topics of race and slavery. The first slave narrator, Ukawsawa Gronniosaw, visited our city, while John Jea, another former slave, was a prominent preacher near the docks. Their memoirs movingly reveal the city's black history.
Holly: As we move into modern day, we have authors and poets tackling issues both big and small. Poet laureate Simon Armitage studied at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ. Local poet Denise Bennett has written on СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Jewish history, and Fatima Bhutto featured СÀ¶ÊÓƵ in her contemporary novel on Islamic culture. As well as its fabulous literary history, СÀ¶ÊÓƵ also has a really vibrant, creative writing community, and you can be a part of it if you decide to study here.
Chibuzor: Our final stop is Milldam building. Originally a mill pond, it was featured in a long forgotten novel by Walter Besant, who was a contemporary of Charles Dickens. The Navy drained the pond and built officer quarters here. Then it changed hands and became home to the English Literature team at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Holly: Which means СÀ¶ÊÓƵ is home to the next generation of writers, thinkers and world shapers.
Chibuzor: We hope you join us.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
You need to choose BA (Hons) English Literature when you apply for this course, because this is a ‘pathway’ course. This is where you study English Literature in depth and add Media Studies as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3. You’ll then graduate with a BA (Hons) English Literature with Media Studies degree when you complete the course.
If you change your mind after you apply, you can choose not to study Media Studies in years 2 and 3. You’ll then graduate with a BA (Hons) English Literature degree when you complete the course.
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – Q301
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our .
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.