English Literature BA (Hons)
University of Surrey
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
academic-cap
Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

location-pin
Location

Stag Hill

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Stag Hill

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECTED

Subjects

Select a subject


English
SELECTED

Exam type

Select a an exam type


A level
SELECTED

Scottish Higher
SELECT

Scottish Advanced Higher
SELECT

Access to HE Diploma
SELECT

Extended Project
SELECT

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
SELECT

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
SELECT

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
SELECT

Course info

**Why choose this course**• Teaching from published researchers, writers, and poets, our Distinguished Writer in Residence and Poet in Residence • 24/7 library opening hours in term time, and access to podcast and publishing rooms • Excellent pastoral care with small class sizes, Sector-leading staff-student ratio and an individualised approach • Focus on employability, preparing students for careers in journalism, publishing, marketing, media, communications, education, and copywriting• Our ...Read more


Why choose this course

• Teaching from published researchers, writers, and poets, our Distinguished Writer in Residence and Poet in Residence
• 24/7 library opening hours in term time, and access to podcast and publishing rooms
• Excellent pastoral care with small class sizes, Sector-leading staff-student ratio and an individualised approach
• Focus on employability, preparing students for careers in journalism, publishing, marketing, media, communications, education, and copywriting
• Our award-winning Professional Training Placements prepare students for roles in industry


What you will study

On our BA (Hons) English Literature course, you’ll study vital and influential works of literature, reading and discussing contemporary works as well as classics in a wide range of genres and from around the world.  Our course will introduce you to thought-provoking critical and theoretical approaches to literature. You’ll discover a range of perspectives, such as postcolonialism, psychoanalysis, and gender studies, that will enhance your understanding of literary works in relation to important societal challenges.  You will study classic works like those of Shakespeare and George Eliot, as well as writing by contemporary authors including Kazuo Ishiguro, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Jhumpa Lahiri. Genres you’ll study include travel writing, 19th-century theatre and fiction, science-fiction, contemporary global literatures, medieval literature, romantic literature, early modern and modernist literatures.You can tailor your course with a number of specialist optional modules on specific periods and themes, from the early modern to the contemporary, and from children’s literature to American fiction.  Unusually for an English literature course, we also offer you the opportunity to take a Professional Training placement, enabling you to apply your skills in an industry-relevant context, such as marketing, publishing, social media and communications roles. 

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
23/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
24th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
12th
Literature in English
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
85%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Literature in English graduate salary at this uni
£21,000
UK Literature in English graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
M
Monika
13 Nov 24

I like the library a lot. Also, the lake is my favourite. Everyone is so friendly!! It could be improved by having the lecture slides provided in..Read more

T
Thomas
13 Nov 24

Best aspects - Facilties are great (sports park for example), Staff are friendly, helpful, welcoming Worst aspects- Haven’t heard much from the student union..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBB - ABB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

ABBBB - AABBB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

BBB - ABB Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Extended Project:

A Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

33 - 32 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD - DDM Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Overall:ABB-BBBRequired subjects: Grade B in English Language or English Literature. Applicants taking an A level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element. We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers.

Overall:AABBB-ABBBBRequired subjects: English Language or English Literature. GCSE or Equivalent: English Language: Scottish National 5 - C Maths: Scottish National 5 - C.

Overall:ABB-BBB Required subjects: Grade B in English Language or English Literature. GCSE or Equivalent: English Language: Scottish National 5 - C Maths: Scottish National 5 - C.

Overall:QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit - 27 at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit.Required subjects: Please contact us to discuss suitability.

Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.

Overall:33-32 Required subjects: English Literature or English Literature HL5/SL6.GCSE or Equivalent: Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.

Overall:DDD-DDM. Required subjects: Please contact us to discuss suitability.

Overall:Pass overall with ABB-BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A levels. Applicants taking an A level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element. Required subjects: A-level English Literature or English Language.We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers.

Popular A-level subjects

Literature in English

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

English Literature
83%
History
31%
Psychology
27%
Religious Studies & Theology
18%
Sociology
18%
HESA

Latest reviews

Latest English Literature reviews

English Literature
English Literature
M
Monika
13 Nov 24
English Literature BA (Hons)
I like the library a lot. Also, the lake is my favourite. Everyone is so friendly!! It could be improved by having the lecture slides provided in...
Read more
T
Thomas
13 Nov 24
English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons)
Best aspects - Facilties are great (sports park for example), Staff are friendly, helpful, welcoming Worst aspects- Haven’t heard much from the student union...
Read more
Review breakdown
University rating
University rating
Students' union
Societies and Sports
University halls
Facilities
Lecturers and teaching quality
Local life
Career prospects
Student support
Location
Campus look and feel
Student life
Course rating
Course content
Work placements and internships
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
University location
Cost of living
Safety
Public transport
Part-time work opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities
Diversity
Location
Safety
Room allocation
Internet/wifi
Value for money
Property management

How English Literature students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 34 reviews
5 star
39%
4 stars
53%
3 stars
3%
2 stars
5%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 1,666 reviews
5 star
45%
4 stars
47%
3 stars
7%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

University of Surrey
University of Surrey , Guildford

The University of Surrey is a vibrant institution with a beautiful campus, located in Guildford, UK....

Student rating
( 4.3) View reviews
CUG ranking
12th
University of Surrey
Stag Hill Guildford Surrey GU2 7XH United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Guildford  0.3 miles away

Similar courses at this uni

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate