Visiting Students - English and Related Literature

We are ranked 8th in the UK for English (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and 34th in the world for English and Related Literature (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024). We are proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to promoting equality.

Undergraduate students

Academic requirements

We usually recommend that Visiting Students take first or second year modules. If you wish to take Advanced Option Modules (third year) you should state your reasons in your application.

Your application must include a sample of recent written work (at least 1,500 words) in English on a literary topic, preferably previously submitted as part of a literature course.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (language requirements are part way down the page. The other requirements are not applicable).

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

Postgraduate students

Academic requirements

You should hold a good undergraduate degree (2:2, 2:1 or first) in English literature or a related subject.

We recommend you contact us before you apply. We will be able to guide you towards available modules of an appropriate level.

Your application must include a sample of recent written work (at least 1,500 words) in English on a literary topic, preferably previously submitted as part of a literature course. Postgraduate Research students need to add two samples.

English language requirements

IELTS: 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (the language requirements are part way down the page. The other requirements are not applicable).

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

Choosing your modules

You can view the department’s modules in the module catalogue. To help you get started, we have written a short guide on how to use the module catalogue.

We will contact you during August or December (depending on your start date) to finalise your module choices.

Teaching schedule

You can study in our department for the following periods:

• Full academic year
• Semester 1 only
• Semester 2 only

Examination and assessment

Assessment is mainly by assignment submitted via the VLE. Our World Literature modules include an exam component.

Start your application

Undergraduate example modules

The list below shows our modules for 2024/25. Our 2025/26 modules will be available soon in the module catalogue.