BA English Literature
About this course
BA (Hons) in English Literature, an English Literature degree exploring historical, social, and cultural contexts through literary texts and related cultural works. Core topics include Research Methods. The course concludes with an independent dissertation project alongside a selection of optional modules covering areas such as contemporary fiction, historical genres, and cultural theory. The first year introduces foundational study through compulsory modules like English Literature Tutorial 1: What is Literature?, Keywords for Literary Studies, Poetry and Politics, and Shakespeare and Performance, while offering optional modules including Children's Literature and Reading for Pleasure. The second year continues with small-group tutorials and period-specific study through compulsory modules such as English Literature Tutorial 2: Literature in Public, Romanticisms, and The Victorian World, alongside optional choices like Making Memory: Culture History and Representation, Monsters, Realisms, and Writing Revolutions. The final year focuses on independent research through the compulsory English Literature Dissertation and Reading the Present modules. Students can further tailor their studies through optional modules including Work Placement for Humanities, Fiction After 1950, Issues in Culture, Sexualities in Literature and Culture, Special Topic, The Modernist World, and Tragedy: Ancient to Modern.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points). T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points. International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM. BTEC Diploma – DD. Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course. If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component. We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
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What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 80%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 5 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 20%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 260 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 71%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- English Literature Tutorial 1: What is Literature?
- Keywords for Literary Studies
- Poetry and Politics
- Shakespeare and Performance
- Children's Literature
- Reading for Pleasure
- English Literature Tutorial 2: Literature in Public
- Romanticisms
- The Victorian World
- Making Memory: Culture History and Representation
- Monsters
- Realisms
- Writing Revolutions
- English Literature Dissertation
- Reading the Present
- Work Placement for Humanities
- Fiction After 1950
- Issues in Culture
- Sexualities in Literature and Culture
- Special Topic
- The Modernist World
- Tragedy: Ancient to Modern
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English Literature at University of Westminster earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,000 and £35,500. The £29,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
What do graduates of BA English Literature at University of Westminster do next?
65% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA English Literature at University of Westminster?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA English Literature at University of Westminster?
The typical offer is CCC at A level. The average entrant had 96 UCAS points.
Does BA English Literature at University of Westminster include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA English Literature at University of Westminster?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.