BA English Literature

This course will teach you the arts of nonfiction: we study and practice a great variety of forms, from personal essays to travel writing and memoir. Aiming to produce writing of professional (i.e. marketable) standard, we look at the conception, construction and editing of profiles, interviews, features, reviews, opinion pieces, polemic, diaries and journals. Studying the crafts of journalism and reportage, we work on ideas, structure and style to produce pieces which will give readers pleasure and insight. We read a great variety of work by some of the outstanding reporters, stylists, polemicists, diarists, essayists and novelists (writing factually) of the past and present.

 

The aims of this course are:

1. To understand the conventions, disciplines, demands and possibilities of a variety of nonfiction forms.

2. To develop advanced skills in research, observation, close reading and effective writing.

3. To practise the analysis and criticism of different genres of nonfiction, and to hone reflection and development through peer appraisal.

1. Demonstrate a wide range of independent reading in non-fiction.

2. Write originally and effectively in a variety of the forms taught on the course.

3. Apply an enhanced critical facility to writing in general, and non-fiction in particular.

4. Redraft work effectively in the light of peer appraisal.

5. Speak confidently about research process, findings and finished work.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

- think critically and make critical judgments about nonfiction

- analyse course texts in a critical manner;

- identify and outline key issues in the writing of nonfiction;

- write effective pieces of nonfiction.

- plan and execute independent research on nonfiction;

- make good use of library, electronic, and online resources pertaining to the course;

- speak and write clearly about nonfiction;

- comment on the performance of a peer, identifying strengths and making constructive suggestions for improvement where appropriate.

- retrieve, sift, organise, synthesise and critically evaluate material from a range of different sources, including library, electronic, and online resources;

- deliver oral presentations in front of tutor and group;

- produce written work using appropriate language for an academic audience;

- produce written work for a general reader of nonfiction

- demonstrate good teamwork skills by acknowledging the views of others and working constructively with others;

- manage time effectively by scheduling tasks in order of importance;

- demonstrate the ability to improve one’s own learning through critical reflection, evaluation, good time management.

Creative assessment

20%

Portfolio (including reflective essay and creative piece)

80%

 

Feedback method –	Formative or Summative
Numerical grade and written comments on essay within 15 working days.	Formative
Oral feedback to group,	Formative
Written comments  and numerical grade	Summative

 

AA Gill, Welcome to Death Island

Joan Didion, Marrying Absurd

George Orwell, Shooting an Elephant

Zadie Smith, Dead Man Laughing

Rebecca Solnit, Men Explain Things To Me

Julia Bell, Really Techno (in The White Review)

Jan Morris, Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere

Jeff Young, Ghost Town

Hisham Matar, The Return

 

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £29,200 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Learn more about student finance options for UK students .

Learn more about f ees and finance for international students .

As an international student you may be eligible for our Global Futures Scholarships . This is open to students starting their studies in September 2026.