Program Overview

How has English literature changed since the time of Shakespeare? What are the differences between literature written in the UK and literature written in other English-speaking countries? How has social and geographical mobility given rise to the formation of new accents and dialects of English?

An understanding of our language enhances our self-awareness, inspiring us to address fundamental questions about our communication as human beings; and this is epitomised in literature.

Our course provides a sound foundation in linguistic and sociolinguistic aspects of the structure and use of modern English, and offers you the chance to study a range of literary genres and approaches to literary criticism. This degree offers you the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics including:

• The structure and use of English language
• The relationship between language and society
• Literatures of the United States and the Caribbean
• English (and European) literature of the 15th-17th centuries
• Writing science fiction

We are a leading UK university for language and linguistics research (REF 2014), a place where talented students become part of an academic community in which the majority of research is rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. We're also ranked in the top 250 for English Language and Literature in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2021).

Placement year

On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.