BA English Literature
About this course
BA Hons in English Literature, an English Literature degree centred on the study of texts ranging from classical works to contemporary writing. Core topics include Research Methods, Historical Research, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. The programme culminates in a final-year English Literature Dissertation involving independent research. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Literature in Time and World Literatures, alongside optional choices like Literature and Place and Introduction to Creative Writing. The second year focuses on theoretical frameworks and adaptation through compulsory modules including Critical Theory, Critical Practice, and Literary Adaptation, with optional pathways covering Postcolonial Literature, American Literature, and Victorian Literature. In the final year, students can select from optional modules such as Shakespeare, Romanticism, Modernism, and Contemporary Literature to explore specialised literary periods and themes.
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: ABB IB: 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 92%: 142 offers from 155 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 99%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 25%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 245 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 48%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 14%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 14%
- South East: 7%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Literature in Time
- World Literatures
- Literature and Place
- Introduction to Creative Writing
- Medieval and Early Modern Worlds
- Foundations of Language
- History of Philosophy: Ideas that Shaped the West
- Raw Materials of Performance
- Understanding Media and Culture
- The Arts and Identity (Discovery module)
- Critical Theory
- Critical Practice
- Literary Adaptation
- Medieval to Early Modern Literature
- Postcolonial Literature
- American Literature
- Victorian Literature
- Writing Fiction
- Taking an Idea and Making it Happen (Discovery module)
- English Literature Dissertation
- Shakespeare
- Romanticism
- Austen and the Brontës
- Modernism
- Contemporary Literature
- Literature and Environment
- Gothic and Science Fiction
- Special Topics in Theory
- Global Film Genres
- The Use and Abuse of History
- Live Performance Criticism
- Queer Futures (Discovery module)
- Artistic Fusions (Discovery module)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English Literature at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £34,500. The £29,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
What do graduates of BA English Literature at Lancaster University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA English Literature at Lancaster University?
99% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA English Literature at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA English Literature at Lancaster University?
92% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 142 offers from 155 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BA English Literature at Lancaster University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.