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At the University of Reading, we not only make the study of English Literature 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 from every period of history, right up to the present.

Become part of a diverse and inclusive community of readers and writers, united in our passion for our subject. 

We also offer a Foundation Year.

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Our courses


Flexible options for your degree

As a first-year English Literature student, you can choose to study at least one other subject from across the University.

This flexible system allows you to change your final degree course from a single to a joint honours, or vice versa at the end of your first year.

Creative Writing at Reading

We offer the same flexibility to our Creative Writing students who can enrol directly onto one of our joint degree programmes.

As a single honours English Literature student, you can take a Creative Writing module in your first year and then switch to the joint honours English Literature with Creative Writing degree at the end of that same year.

Find out more about Creative Writing degrees 

Joint degrees

You can take English Literature jointly with a number of other subjects. As a joint degree student, you will take roughly half your modules in the Department of English Literature and half in the other subject.

In your final year, you will have the option to submit a joint dissertation on a topic that links your study in both subjects. Alternatively, you can choose to work on a dissertation that is just in one of your subject areas.

Fees and funding

There is a variety of funding support available to our undergraduate students. You may be eligible for government loans, grants or bursaries.

Students from the UK can receive government loans to help towards tuition fees and living costs. UK students may also be eligible for other grants and bursaries depending on their circumstances.

Fees and funding at the University of Reading

Careers

Your degree in English Literature opens many doors. As a University of Reading graduate, you will enter the job market with well-developed skills in oral communication and research, and writing, together with a high level of cultural literacy and critical sophistication.

Our students move on to successful careers in fields including publishing, TV and film production, journalism, public relations, law, marketing, and education. Some go on to further study in English Literature, while others undertake vocational training for careers including law, teaching, and psychology.

We offer support and guidance throughout your time at Reading to help you decide on your career path and to develop your CV.

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How you'll study

Develop your own interests, increase your career potential with placements and masterclasses, and enjoy access to superb resources and literary treasures.

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Why study with us?

Learn from expert academics in small supportive groups in a department that has a century-long history of innovation in English studies.

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Our stories

Read stories from our staff, students, and alumni to find out what it's like to study English Literature at the University of Reading.