About this course
At Southampton, English is an interdisciplinary course. You’ll see how literature connects with areas such as film, science, performance and politics. You can study everything from medieval travellers’ tales to modern fictions of globalisation.
With our advice, you can shape your BA English degree to suit your own development. For example, you can:
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write avant-garde poetry
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study Victorian sensation fiction
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take a range of modules on women writers
Your studies will include critical analysis, presentations and group work. These will help you develop your conceptual thinking, communication and research skills.
As part of this course you can:
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join one of 40 student-led performing arts groups
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take part in writing workshops at Nuffield Southampton Theatres
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use a unique collection of rare books at the Chawton House Library
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learn a modern language at any level
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explore experimental writing with our Entropics events
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get one-to-one tutorials on writing from our Royal Literary Fund Fellows
You’ll have the opportunity to study abroad, spending a semester, a summer or even a full year at one of our global partner universities.
Course location
This course is based at Avenue.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
In light of COVID-19, we’ve made changes to some elements of course delivery for 2020-21. For details as to how this has changed delivery for this course, please view the Addendum to the Programme Specification PDF.
Entry requirements
A-levels
AAB including English Literature or a related subject*
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *Related subject includes History, English Language and Literature, English Language or Drama and Theatre Studies.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB including English Literature or a related subject* and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB including English Literature or a related subject*
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in English Literature or a related subject*
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
*Related subject includes History, English Language and Literature, English Language or Drama and Theatre Studies.
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A in A level English Literature or a related subject*.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A in A level English Literature or a related subject*
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in A level English Literature or a related subject* and A in one further A level
BTEC additional information
*Related subject includes History, English Language and Literature, English Language or Drama and Theatre Studies.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Scottish Qualification offers
- Cambridge Pre-U
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.ukTel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
A-levels
AAB including English Literature or a related subject*
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *Related subject includes History, English Language and Literature, English Language or Drama and Theatre Studies.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB including English Literature or a related subject* and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB including English Literature or a related subject*
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in English Literature or a related subject*
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
*Related subject includes History, English Language and Literature, English Language or Drama and Theatre Studies.
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A in A level English Literature or a related subject*.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A in A level English Literature or a related subject*
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in A level English Literature or a related subject* and A in one further A level
BTEC additional information
*Related subject includes History, English Language and Literature, English Language or Drama and Theatre Studies.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Scottish Qualification offers
- Cambridge Pre-U
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.ukTel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying poetry, prose, drama and film. You can complement your degree in English with modules in other subject areas, including modern languages and history. Your personal academic tutor can help you plan your course.
You can also enrich your course with informal learning. You can:
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write for one of the university’s many student-run magazines
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learn media skills with our student radio society
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join a performing arts group
Year 1 overview
You’ll gain a foundation in critical thinking, essay writing and joint research. This will help you develop your own views and approaches to studying literature.
You’ll take 8 modules, on topics including:
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poetic language
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the novel
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the act of the essay
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a group research project, on topics such as city writing in the Nineteenth Century, literature to save the planet, or decadence and decay at the fin de siècle
Year 2 overview
You’ll be able to choose from any of our year 2 modules. You can decide what to study based on your interests and the skills you want to develop. There are modules on key periods in literature, like the Renaissance, Romanticism and Modernism.
Topics include:
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African worlds
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Victorian feelings
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world literature and visual culture after globalisation
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images of women
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film adaptation
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scriptwriting
Year 3 overview
You’ll write a dissertation on a research topic of your choice. Recent topics have included Shakespeare in Russia, modernising fairytales and Edinburgh in the 1960s.
You’ll also choose modules on topics such as:
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Jane Austen and the Regency world
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sex and the city in Stuart drama
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utopias and dystopias
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Chaucer and his world
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animal forms: poetry and the non-human
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literatures of islands and oceans
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narrative non-fiction
You can also take a module on creative writing in schools, which includes a voluntary placement.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our modules for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
You must choose your modules from the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our learning and assessment methods for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Mary Hammond is the course leader.
Careers
English at Southampton gives you a strong foundation in:
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research
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presentation skills
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project management
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critical thinking
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writing
You’ll learn how to tell a story - a crucial skill whether you want to write a press release or funding application, or edit a book or podcast.
Our English graduates have progressed to careers including:
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administration
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advertising
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business
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creative writing
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government, including the civil service
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journalism
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marketing
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media
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publishing
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public relations
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teaching
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translation
We offer a series of lectures and seminars given by experts, employers and alumni, which take you through career planning. These are designed for humanities students and cover:
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careers opportunities for graduates, including digital jobs
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entrepreneurial and start-up options
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skills self-assessment to help you discover hidden talents
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writing CVs and applications
Your personal academic tutor can write a reference based on knowledge of you as a student over the 3 years.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
You can take work placements through our Excel internship scheme or Year in Employment scheme. Placements include art galleries, publishing houses, schools and performing arts organisations. We can help you get placements and employment with local, national and international employers.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK/EU students pay £9,250.
- International students pay £17,560.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: Q300
- UCAS institution code: S27
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.ukTel: +44(0)23 8059 5000