At the University of Reading we make the study of English Literature not only a rewarding challenge, but also lay the foundation of a critical and cultural awareness that will remain with you for life.

Our curriculum is global, contemporary and comprehensive. You can study literature from across the world and every period of history, right up to the present. You will become part of a diverse community of readers and writers, united in our passion for our subject.

English brochure

FLEXIBLE OPTIONS FOR YOUR DEGREE

Creative Writing at Reading

Students can enrol directly onto one of our Creative Writing joint degree programmes. See course list below.

Alternatively, single honours English Literature students who take a Creative Writing module in the first year can switch to the joint honours English Literature with Creative Writing degree at the end of that same year.

You will learn from prize-winning authors who will read and give you bespoke advice on your work.

Find out more about creative writing 

In the first year, all students in English Literature can choose at least one option in another subject from across the university. This system allows considerable flexibility: at the end of the first year, you may be able to change your final degree course from single to joint honours, or vice versa.

Find out more about what you'll learn 

OUR Courses

• BA English Literature Q300

English Literature and Creative Writing Degrees:

• BA English Literature with Creative Writing Q3W8
• BA Creative Writing and Film WW86
• BA Creative Writing and Film & Theatre WW48
• BA Creative Writing and Theatre WW84
• BA Art and Creative Writing QW32

 Our English Foundation Year Programme:

• BA English Literature with Foundation QW31

English Degrees with Modern Languages

• BA Spanish and English Literature QR3K
• BA French and English Literature RQ13
• BA English Literature and German QR32
• BA English Literature and Italian QR33
• BA English Literature with French Q3R1

Joint Degrees with other subjects

• BA English Language and Literature Q301
• BA English Literature and Film and Theatre QW34
• BA English Literature and Film QW36
• BA English Literature and Theatre QW35
• BA English Literature and International Relations LQF3
• BA English Literature and Politics LQ23
• BA Art and English Literature QW31
• BA Classical Studies and English Literature QQ38
• BA History and English Literature QV31
• BA Philosophy and English Literature VQ53

Foundation Year

Read more about our Foundation Year

JOINT DEGREES

Students can take English Literature jointly with a number of other subjects. Joint degree students take roughly half their modules in the Department of English Literature and half in the other subject. In their final year, students may have the option to submit a joint dissertation on a topic that links their study in both subjects. Alternatively, students can choose to work on a dissertation that is just in one of their subject areas.

Download our joint degrees flyer here 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Our courses will equip you with high-level skills and knowledge. They will open up all the many exciting graduate careers that require excellent literacy and critical intelligence. These include communications and media, the creative industries and publishing, public life, finance, and all levels of teaching. Prospective employers value the intellectual training, versatility, and resourcefulness that you will gain during your degree studies in English literature.

Find out more about how we support your professional development