BA English Literature

A BA in English Literature will help you explore a range of texts. They date from the Anglo-Saxon era to the present day. You'll get to explore many texts and genres. They range from illuminated manuscripts to graphic novels, and from poetry to postmodern fiction. These materials come from the English-speaking world and beyond.

In your first year, you will sample a wide variety of literature. This will give you the necessary knowledge and skills for Years 2 and 3. Then, you will have the chance to choose the units that most interest you.

You will join a thriving community of students, lecturers, and writers at The University of Manchester. It is in the heart of a UNESCO City of Literature that has produced some of the world's greatest writers. The city has a thriving literature and arts scene, notably hosting major events like Manchester Literature Festival .

Placement year option

Use your subject-specific knowledge in the real world through a placement in your third year of study. It will help you improve your job prospects, clarify your career goals, and build your networks.

Study abroad

You can apply to spend one semester studying abroad during the second year of your degree.

Exchange partners are offered in Europe as well as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore via the Worldwide Exchange scheme.

Literature events

Manchester Literature Festival holds literary events across Manchester throughout the year, many in partnership with the University.

The Centre for New Writing also hosts a regular public event series, Literature Live, which brings contemporary novelists and poets to the University to read and engage in conversation.

Meet like-minded students

You can get to know your fellow students outside of your course by joining the English Society.

Learn more on our Societies page.

In Years 1 and 2, you will be taught mainly through lectures and seminars. 

Lectures provide essential knowledge and identify key questions which are then discussed further in seminars.

Seminar groups usually meet once a week and numbers are kept as low as possible so that you can get to know one another and have a chance to develop and share your ideas.

In Year 3, you choose from a wide range of specialist units.

You will be taught by a leading expert in the field.

A compulsory long essay in Year 3 will give you experience of independent research and allow you to develop a personal project.

For some course units, you will join in group work and other forms of collaborative learning.

You'll also have access to our virtual learning environment, and other digital resources to support your learning.

You will be assessed using a variety of formats, including:

• written examinations;
• coursework essays;
• research reports;
• practical tests;
• learning logs;
• web contributions;
• oral presentations;
• final-year thesis.

Your second-year work counts toward 33% of your final degree result.

Your third-year work accounts for the remaining 67%.

The John Rylands Library

Home to one of the world's richest and most unique collections of manuscripts, maps, works of art, and objects.

You'll have access to the library's impressive special collections, including papyri, early printed books, key archives such as the Women's Suffrage Movement archive, and Shakespeare's first folio.

Find out more about the John Rylands Library .

The Centre for New Writing

The University boasts a writing centre with award-winning teachers. Notable names include Kamila Shamsie and Jeanette Winterson CBE, both Granta Best Young British Novelists.

Additionally, the centre runs Literature Live. This series invites novelists and poets to showcase their work at public events.

Find out more about the Centre for New Writing .

The University of Manchester Library

One of only five National Research Libraries; you'll have access to our internationally renowned archival collections which range from the medieval period to the present day.

From a miniature 'Book of Hours' which once belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots, through major Victorian novelists such as Elizabeth Gaskell and George Gissing, key American writers including Walt Whitman and Upton Sinclair, and up to the present day with our Modern Literary Archives, you'll be amazed by the treasures on offer.

Find out more about The University of Manchester Library .

Cultural institutions

You'll also have access to other cultural assets on campus, including the award-winning Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum .