BA Hons English Language and Literature
When we read English literature we read the English language. In essence this degree scheme aims at the appreciation of literature through the appreciation of its language. It is important for writers and readers to have an understanding of the linguistic resources which may be exploited in written texts, and of the relationship between linguistic choices on the one hand, and meanings and effects on the other. The courses on this degree scheme will enable you to make this understanding explicit.
You will also be introduced to literature in English from different genres and historical periods, and to a range of current approaches in literary theory.
What will I study?
In Part I you will take the following:
- Part I English Language
- Part I English Literature
- A third subject of your choice
In Part II you take eight units in total, four in each year. Four units will be in English Language and four in English Literature.
The following courses are compulsory:
- LING210 Stylistics (to be taken in the second year)
- ENGL201 Theory and Practice of Criticism (to be taken in the second year)
The remaining units can be selected from each Department’s list of courses:
What qualifications will I need?
We normally expect successful applicants to have AAA/AAB inc. English; English Literature or English Lang and Literature combined. We require an A in either English Literature or English Literature combined. We normally expect three A-levels. One (but only one) of these grades may be achieved from the average of two AS-level grades, one of which should have been taken in year 13, with each contributory grade in a different subject
How is my work assessed?
As in all courses, there are examinations at the end of the first year before proceeding to the second and final years. In the second and final years, you will normally take an examination for each course at the end of the year in which you study it. Coursework typically involves an essay (2000-2500 words) each term for each course, but it often comes in other forms. The weighting of coursework varies with departments: in the Department of Linguistics and English Language the final mark is usually based on 40% coursework and 60% examination.