Discover a world of literature at York
Year of entry: 2019
Q300
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAA or A*AB with a minimum A in English (full entry requirements)
September 2019 (term dates)
£9,250 per year (2019/20)
£17,120 per year (2019/20)
Get to know us better and find out what studying and living in York is really like.
Meet usEnglish and Related Literature at York is unlike any other English degree. We have a unique approach to what literature is and does, how we read it, how we write about it, and even how we make it.
At York, you will be at the forefront of literary study, learning in the most stimulating academic environment possible. We are ranked in the UK top 3* and world top 30 English departments**. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment, we had the highest proportion of ‘world-leading’ (4*) research of all UK English departments. This means that our modules are designed and taught by world experts working at the cutting-edge of literary study.
We offer a breathtaking choice of modules with an unsurpassed geographical and linguistic range, giving you the freedom to tailor your degree to your interests with the support of friendly and accessible tutors. With period coverage extending from Greek and Latin classics to literature being published right now, there’s something for everyone, including creative writing, drama, film, and the chance to get your hands dirty in our brand-new printing studio.
No discipline equips its students better to understand and interpret a wide range of texts or to form articulate and persuasive responses to a range of challenges. Our graduates go on to careers in all sorts of fields, even areas that traditionally haven’t recruited among Arts and Humanities graduates.
An English graduate’s creativity, passion, and ability to adapt – along with outstanding presentation, language, and reasoning skills – are what employers look for. Join us at York to discover a world of literature.
*Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019
**QS World University Rankings 2018
York's English degree promised to be comprehensive yet flexible. My experience here has not let me down. The modules always have a central focus, yet retain an impressive diversity which intersect at the unlikeliest of angles.ChoonBA English student
York’s English degree offers exceptional flexibility and choice. Our academic progression model provides a comprehensive overview of literary history and criticism while also encouraging you to explore the subjects that you are most passionate about.
You will get the chance to examine literature from the ancient classics to the present, and from the United Kingdom and beyond. You’ll also study non-English texts, in the original language or in translation.
Writing is embedded in each year’s curriculum, helping you to discover and refine your own critical and creative voice.
In total, you’ll take eighteen modules from a long list of possible choices, and you’ll write a dissertation in your third year.
We are proud of our international outlook. If you’re also interested in studying abroad, there are a number of options both in the English-speaking world and in Europe.
We’ll introduce you to a range of different texts and critical approaches in your first year to lay the foundation for your degree. Through carefully linked modules, you will be introduced to the historical and theoretical study of literature. These modules will be supplemented by additional skills based and topic-based modules:
Get a feel for the shape of literary history by studying works from the medieval, early modern, eighteenth-century and Romantic, and modern periods in these interlinked modules.
These cross-period modules explore a range of responses to ancient literary texts and literature from around the world in these interlinked 20-credit modules.
This year-long foundation module provides you with important critical and methodological contexts for the study of literature. You will develop strategies for essay writing, engaging with criticism and critical theory, and revising work to improve its fluency and persuasiveness, as part of the Department’s innovative Writing at York provision.
Choose two of these exciting, hands-on, tightly focused modules that act as an important pivot point between the research skills developed throughout the year and practical skills that will make you more employable after your degree.
Note: This information reflects our current offerings. We keep our modules under review and we may make changes in the future.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You’ll further your understanding of period-specific literary topics as well as focus on a World Literature subject. In the second year, you’ll choose:
Choose three from:
*You must take at least two of the three asterisked modules.
Choose one of a range of modules introducing you to another literature and culture, either in the original language or in translation. The choice is yours, and will be governed by your experience and interests.
Choose another one of our highly interactive Topic Modules as in Year 1.
A year-long intermediate module that explores the history and theory of literary criticism. Building on the skills you acquired in first year, assignments on different media and in different forms (eg, book reviews, magazine articles, scene analysis) will prepare you for advanced-level modules in Year 3.
Note: This information reflects our current offerings. We keep our modules under review and we may make changes in the future.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore further the areas you’ve developed an interest in over the course of your studies through the diverse range of module choices available to our third-year students. In addition, the subject of your English dissertation is entirely up to you, which means that there is an exciting opportunity for you to shape the trajectory of your final year.
Choose four modules from a diverse range of innovative options, covering all periods of literature from the classical era up to the twenty-first century, and exploring a wide variety of genres including creative writing, drama, fiction, film, and poetry. Here, you can shape your final year based on your own interests—whether honing in on the work of a single writer or exploring a new field of study. You can typically expect to choose from around 25 options.
The degree culminates in the dissertation; an in-depth exploration of 7,000-8,000 words on a topic of your choice. Research lectures and writing labs support the one-to-one supervision you will receive from a member of staff. This year-long capstone project is a wonderful opportunity to display your skills in detailed research, elegant writing, and rigorous argument.
Note: This information reflects our current offerings. We keep our modules under review and we may make changes in the future.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
3rd in the UK for English
Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019
5th in the UK for English
Complete University Guide 2020
8th in the UK for English
Guardian University Guide 2020
The Department is ranked 27th in the world by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018 - English Language & Literature.
96.3% of our 2016/17 undergraduate leavers were in work or further study six months after they graduated. (HESA Employment of leavers UK Performance Indicator 2016/17 for full-time, first-degree home students).
The fees and funding figures below are for 2019 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year.
| UK/EU | International |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £17,120 |
You'll need copies of the texts set for each module. Where possible, the Department works to arrange digital copies via the University Library. Where this is not practical, you'll be instructed in advance of the start of each term about the texts and editions you'll need to purchase (whether new or second-hand).
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
The Department of English and Related Literature offers a number of scholarships and bursaries for Home/EU and International students:
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
York’s English degree is renowned for its flexible and innovative approach. We emphasize small-group teaching, which means you’ll mainly be taught in seminars of up to fifteen people. You’ll also take part in workshops, attend lectures, and consult staff on a one-to-one basis. You can typically expect eight contact hours per week - and sometimes more. There are also many opportunities for informal contact.
As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and seminars | 233.5 hours | 225.5 hours | 120.5 hours |
The figures above are based on data from 2017/18.
The rest of your time on the course will be spent in independent study. This will include guided preparation for seminars and lectures. We recommend that students spend at least six hours in preparation for a two-hour seminar and at least two hours in preparation for a one-hour lecture, as well as at least one further hour of revision and consolidation after each teaching session. You will also devote time to wider reading; complete ‘formative’ assessments (practice essays and short exercises); write essays and revise for exams; and take advantage of opportunities for informal contact, including one-to- one consultations, workshops, guest lectures, and readings.
Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1,200 hours a year learning.
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature, on Campus West.
Your contact hours will be divided between Derwent College, the Spring Lane Teaching Building and other locations nearby on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
We employ a variety of assessment methods, including group presentations and closed exams, but with a strong emphasis on essay writing. Your main mode of assessment will be essays, which will range from short exploratory exercises to more detailed discussions on a topic of your choice, to the 7,000-8,000-word dissertation in your final year. We offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 17% | 21% | 0% |
| Coursework | 66% | 71% | 100% |
| Practical exams | 17% | 8% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2017/18.
"Staff are always very approachable, whether in their office hours, after seminars, or by email. They're really keen to help your literary understanding and imagination."Rebecca BA English student
No discipline equips its students better to understand and interpret a wide range of texts – whether literary, historical, political, or social – or to form articulate and persuasive responses to a range of challenges and questions. The Department has a dedicated Careers Officer, which means you will get specialised advice and support throughout the three years of your degree.
You’ll learn presentation, language, and reasoning skills during your English degree, and gain expertise in complex analysis and research. These skills suit a wide range of careers, from law and teaching to national and local government and the creative industries.
"While at York I learned to read fast while absorbing key details and to express myself clearly. I learned to listen and to be generous when sharing ideas. I gained confidence and developed a more independent way of thinking."Sarah Ward-Lilley
Head of International Bureaux, BBC News
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels |
|
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 39 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related units, and 6 credits at Merit or higher. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3, including D3 in English. |
| European Baccalaureate | 85 overall, with 85 in English. |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points, with 6 in all Higher level subjects, including English. |
| Irish leaving Certificate | H1 (English) H2, H2, H2, H2, H3 |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | AAAAA at Higher level. AA at Advanced Higher level, including A in English. |
If you achieve an A or higher at EPQ, you will be eligible for a reduced offer, one grade below our typical offer.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current IELTS scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
Normally, only mature candidates and those with special circumstances and/or qualifications will have an interview. Interviews will usually be a half-hour conversation about your literary interests. We’ll also ask you to bring along some of your recent essays.
Get in touch if you have any questions
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.
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