BA English
About this course
BA (Hons) in English, an English degree spanning literature, drama, and literary criticism from early medieval periods to contemporary writing. The first year covers foundational techniques through Practical Criticism and Critical Practice and Shakespeare. The second year examines historical contexts through Early Medieval Literature and its Contexts 1066 to 1350 and English Literature and its Contexts. The final year allows students to select from options such as Tragedy, Chaucer, Medieval English Literature 1066 to 1500: The Medieval Supernatural, Material Renaissance, Lyric, Prose Forms 1936 to 1956, The Ethical Imagination, American Literature, Literature of the Global South, History and Theory of Literary Criticism, Visual Culture, Contemporary Writing in English, Early Modern Drama 1588 to 1642, Special Period of English Literature 1847 to 72, Love, Gender, Sexuality 1740 to 1824, Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic, Classics, and Modern and Medieval Languages, alongside Practical Criticism and Critical Practice II.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level . To apply to any of our Colleges for English, you will need: A level/IB Higher Level (or the equivalent) in English Literature or A level (or the equivalent) in English Literature and Language
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 2 UCAS decisions for BA English (Q300) at the University of Cambridge for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is A*AA at A level.
What students say
Based on about 130 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 62%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 180 students who started
- Continued on course: 99%
- Left higher education: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 46 graduates who answered
- Working: 64%
- Working and studying: 8%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 19%
- Teaching Professionals: 14%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 14%
- Media Professionals: 12%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 190 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 63%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 180 students who started
- A levels: 92%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
- Other qualifications: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Practical Criticism and Critical Practice
- Shakespeare (assessed by a portfolio of essays submitted in Easter Term)
- Early Medieval Literature and its Contexts 1066 to 1350
- English Literature and its Contexts from: 1500 to 1700 1660 to 1870 1830 to 1945 1870 to Present.
- Practical Criticism and Critical Practice II
- Tragedy, which ranges from ancient Greek drama to contemporary writing
- Chaucer
- Medieval English Literature 1066 to 1500: The Medieval Supernatural
- Material Renaissance
- Lyric
- Prose Forms 1936 to 1956
- The Ethical Imagination
- American Literature
- Literature of the Global South
- History and Theory of Literary Criticism
- Visual Culture
- Contemporary Writing in English
- Early Modern Drama 1588 to 1642
- Special Period of English Literature 1847 to 72
- Love, Gender, Sexuality 1740 to 1824
- Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic
- Classics
- Modern and Medieval Languages
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English at University of Cambridge earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £43,500. The £33,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for English studies.
What do graduates of BA English at University of Cambridge do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA English at University of Cambridge?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA English at University of Cambridge?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 points in the IB. The average entrant had 187 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA English at University of Cambridge?
99% of students continued into their second year, and 1% left higher education.