BA Latin and English Literature / Course details

Our BA Latin and English Literature Joint Honours course will enable you to develop your linguistic skills in an ancient language while making connections between the literature of the ancient, medieval and contemporary eras.

You will study Latin language and literature in each of your three years of study, alongside the full range of English literature studies. Options include writings from Middle English, the Renaissance, historical and contemporary English Language, and cultural theory.

You can learn Latin either as a beginner or from A-level standard. Once you've reached the appropriate level, your learning will allow you to study literary and historical texts in their original language.

On this course, you'll be taught by world-leading scholars, whose research will directly shape your learning. You'll have access to a wealth of cutting-edge critical thinking, as well as exclusive access to award-winning learning resources, including some of the city's key cultural assets.

As well as giving you a detailed knowledge of Latin and a wide range of literature, we'll train you to become an independent researcher, a critical and creative thinker, and a persuasive writer - preparing you for careers in a variety of fields.

The course unit details listed below are those you may choose to study as part of this programme and are referred to as optional units. These are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Although language units may show here as optional, they are a mandatory part of your modern languages degree and you will take the units relevant to your level of language in each year of study. It is compulsory to study language at all levels of your modern languages degree. 

Placement year option 

Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a  placement year  in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks. 

Study abroad 

You may apply to spend one semester  studying abroad  during Year 2. 

Exchange partners are offered through the Worldwide Exchange scheme (e.g. Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore). 

Access to our Special Collections 

Explore exclusive resources such as the Special Collections of The John Rylands Library (home to papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books, including very early copies of the Homeric poems) and the Manchester Museum. 

Enjoy literary events 

Join Literature Live, our series of public events which brings contemporary novelists and poets to the University to read and engage in conversation, and Manchester Literature Festival, which holds events involving established and emerging authors at venues across Manchester - a UNESCO City of Literature.

You'll learn through a variety of methods. Lectures will help broaden your understanding of subjects, while small group tutorials and seminars will help you to deep-dive into these topics.

Language classes are taught intensively, with group size capped to encourage participation.

You are encouraged to involve yourself, under guidance, in independent study and original research.

Assessment practices vary between course units, but our aim overall is to achieve a good balance between formal examinations, continuous assessment and project work.

Written examinations are held at the end of most course units. The Year 3 dissertation is a major piece of original work, accounting for 22% of the final overall mark.

The John Rylands Library

At The John Rylands Library , you'll have exclusive access to our internationally significant collections, including papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books such as very early copies of the Homeric poems.

Manchester Museum

The UK's leading university museum has more than four million objects spanning millennia, including one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK. Go behind-the-scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including exclusive material specific to ancient history.

The Centre for New Writing

The University is home to a major hub for new writing excellence and award-winning teaching staff, including Granta Best Young British Novelist Kamila Shamsie and Jeanette Winterson CBE.

The Centre also hosts Literature Live - a public event series which brings contemporary novelists and poets to The University to showcase their work.

Visit our facilities page to find out more.