Our dynamic English BA degree offers a varied literature syllabus with areas of study ranging from medieval performance to contemporary poetry, global fiction, and creative writing. With more than 50 optional modules to choose from, you can shape your own specialism by selecting the topics that interest you most. You’ll learn how to apply a range of theoretical and historical approaches to literary study and develop essential skills in critical thinking, expression, and research at one of the oldest English departments in the country. Your central London location will encourage you to engage with the literary history and culture right on your doorstep, with sites such as Shakespeare’s Globe and the British Film Institute a short walk away. You’ll pair this with a deep understanding of global literature gained via a curriculum that explores writing from beyond the UK to include the US, Anglophone Africa, Ireland, and South Asia.

Key benefits

• Diversify your perspective by studying an inclusive curriculum that teaches English literatures written in the US, Africa, Ireland, South Asia, and within the UK.
• Learn from academics who share their cutting-edge research from their work at a range of research centres, including the Centre for the Humanities and Health, Queer@King’s and the Shakespeare Centre London.
• Enhance your education by exploring the cultural institutions on your central London doorstep, with opportunities to work with Shakespeare’s Globe, amongst others.
• Join one of the oldest English departments in the country, with an outstanding international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching.
• Ranked 5th in the UK for English degrees by the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
• Enjoy individual attention and support from your personal tutor.
• Choose to complete a dissertation or extend your learning with additional modules.

“I still remember my first lecture. Ten minutes in, we had branched out into countless different subjects, theories, ideas – the connections seemed infinite. I’m studying English, but I’m also learning about history, philosophy, art, politics, psychology, socioeconomics. ”

Dilara, English BAShow more

Course essentials

Entry requirements

Teaching & structure

Careers

Employability

BA English graduates are equipped with a wide range of transferable skills appropriate to many different occupations. These include written and spoken communication, independent thought and judgement, critical thinking and research, all of which are highly valued by employers. Many pursue careers in the creative and cultural industries and in education and research.

Equally, many of our English graduates also go into general management, consultancy and public services or take conversion courses to begin careers in professions such as law.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

• Marketing Executive, Ensphere
• Charity Fundraiser, Gogen
• Content Editor, Thomson Reuters UK Professional
• Graduate Management Trainee, Sotheby's
• Junior Script Reader, Altered Image
• National Events Executive, Fundraising & Marketing
• Corporate Affairs Intern, Cadbury Plc
• English Teacher, St Giles College
• Lecturer, King's College London and other UK universities
• Recruitment Consultant, Michael Page International
• Website Administrator, Walkopedia.ne
• Librarian, London Borough of Barnet

Our professional network

Our professional network

Biomedical Primate Research Centre

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Beijing Normal University

Fees & Funding

• Course essentials
• Entry requirements
• Teaching & structure
• Careers
• Fees & Funding

Employability

BA English graduates are equipped with a wide range of transferable skills appropriate to many different occupations. These include written and spoken communication, independent thought and judgement, critical thinking and research, all of which are highly valued by employers. Many pursue careers in the creative and cultural industries and in education and research.

Equally, many of our English graduates also go into general management, consultancy and public services or take conversion courses to begin careers in professions such as law.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

• Marketing Executive, Ensphere
• Charity Fundraiser, Gogen
• Content Editor, Thomson Reuters UK Professional
• Graduate Management Trainee, Sotheby's
• Junior Script Reader, Altered Image
• National Events Executive, Fundraising & Marketing
• Corporate Affairs Intern, Cadbury Plc
• English Teacher, St Giles College
• Lecturer, King's College London and other UK universities
• Recruitment Consultant, Michael Page International
• Website Administrator, Walkopedia.ne
• Librarian, London Borough of Barnet

Our professional network

Our professional network

Biomedical Primate Research Centre

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Beijing Normal University