Discover a world of literature at York.
Year of entry: 2025/26
Q300
Y50
3 years full-time
AAA/A*AB (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
Book your place for our Open Days on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September 2025.
Complete University Guide 2026
QS World Rankings by Subject 2024
English 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.
We offer a breathtaking choice of modules, with an unsurpassed geographical and linguistic range. This gives 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. This includes creative writing, drama, fiction, film, poetry, and the chance to work in our 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. Join us at York to discover a world of literature.
We partner with the York Festival of Ideas and the biennial York International Shakespeare Festival, and our hugely successful Writers at York series brings in a stellar cast of world-famous contemporary writers. Our Writer-in-Residence offers creative writing workshops and events throughout the year.
York’s English degree offers exceptional flexibility and choice. We provide 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. We have a strong commitment to the Creative Industries, offering option modules on creative writing and writing in the marketplace.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
We’ll introduce you to an exciting range of texts and critical approaches in your first year to lay the foundation for your degree. Through a carefully designed curriculum, you will engage with texts from ancient classics to contemporary writing while developing advanced skills for the historical and theoretical study of literature across multiple genres, language, and geographies.
You’ll develop your knowledge of literary history by studying works from the medieval, Renaissance, early modern, eighteenth-century, Romantic, Victorian, and modern periods on our Approaches to Literature modules.
You’ll explore a range of responses to ancient literary texts and examine the relationship between modern empire and global literary culture on our World of Literature modules.
You’ll develop new skills and methods for the study of literature at university on our Now Modules.
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:
The second year of your degree is characterised by great flexibility, allowing you to choose from a wide variety of Intermediate Option Modules and World Literature Modules.
Our Intermediate Option Modules allow you to deepen your understanding of the relationship between literary works and the cultural, historical, and political contexts in which they were produced. You’ll choose from the following modules:
You’ll take at least one of our World Literature Modules, which invite you to engage with questions of language, translation, and cultural difference in ways that equip you with important skills in linguistic analysis and description. Some are taught partly in the original language and partly in translation, others entirely in translation - the choice is yours. You’ll choose from about ten options covering ancient and modern literature from around the globe. Recent offerings have included the following:
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
In the final year of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to explore further the areas you’ve developed an interest in over the course of your studies.
All students undertake a dissertation, an in-depth exploration of 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. You can also choose to do a Dissertation with Creative Practice, which might involve producing a portfolio of creative writing; a translation project; or an external engagement project.
Our Advanced Option Modules reflect the wide-ranging and cutting-edge research expertise of the Department and cover literature from the classical period to the twenty-first century, as well as film and creative writing. You'll choose four modules, typically from over 30 options. Recent offerings have included the following:
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
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.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,535 | £25,800 |
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
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.
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).
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
The Department of English and Related Literature offers a number of scholarships and bursaries for Home and International/EU 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.
Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.
* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
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. You’ll work closely with tutors in small-group seminars, supported by lectures, workshops, and opportunities to consult staff on a one-to-one basis in their weekly office hours. You can typically expect eight timetabled contact hours per week - and sometimes more – and there also many opportunities for informal contact.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 3 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Film Screening | 2-3 hours per semester |
| Seminars and workshops | 6 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
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.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Thin Ice Press is the Department’s in-house printing studio, whose iron presses chart the evolution of print from 1838-1926. They offer opportunities to experience the relationship between writing and printing practices through publication, practice-led research, teaching, and public workshops.
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 - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
We employ a variety of assessment methods, including group projects and open 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.
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 learn to think rationally and assemble arguments. This is something that has certainly been of value in my working life.John Dearing, BA English and Related Literature
Director, G. P. Wild (International) Limited
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA/A*AB including an A in English Literature (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 39 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related units, and 6 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in English Literature at grade A |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including English Literature. |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall, with 85% in English Literature. |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points including 6 in English Literature at Higher Level (Higher Level English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in English Literature has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - A in English Literature plus Scottish Highers - BBBB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offer | ABB including an A in English Literature (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) 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:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
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 English language test 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.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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