BA English with Foundation
About this course
BA (Hons) in English with Foundation, an undergraduate degree combining literary studies and creative writing through historical texts, contemporary literature, and digital media. Core topics include Research Methods, Project Management, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year and offers an optional placement year and an optional year abroad. The course begins with Year 0, establishing foundational skills through modules such as Academic Foundations, Independent Project, Imagining the Past, and Literature, History and Visual Cultures. Year 1 introduces early texts and critical approaches via Gods, Monsters, and Heroes: Myths and Legends in Literature, The Craft of Writing I: Prose Fiction and Non-Fiction, Rewritings: Contemporary Literature and its Histories, Adventures in Criticism: Introduction to Critical Theory, Make it New: Digital Writing, and Writing and the Modern World:1600-1800. Year 2 advances literary history and analysis through Preparing for Dissertation Research, Gothic Fictions, Villains, Virgins and Vampires, Revolutions: Romanticism and Victorian Literature, and Literary transformations: Modernism and contemporary literature in the 20th and 21st centuries, alongside optional choices like Professional Writing for Different Media and Brave New Worlds: Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Politics. The final year centres on independent research and professional practice through Modern and Contemporary Literature, Dissertation, and University of Plymouth Literature Festival, with further options including Eco-Dystopia: Literature, Culture and Environmental Crisis and Portfolio and Publication.
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: 32 UCAS tariff points. BTEC National Extended Diploma: PPP. Access to HE Diploma: Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferably English, Humanities or Combined). T level: Pass in any subject. International Baccalaureate: 24 points overall. Other qualifications: Other combinations and non-A level qualifications also considered. We are looking for applicants with good potential, including with non-standard qualifications and backgrounds, so will consider every application on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions or concerns about meeting the entry requirements listed above, we encourage you to contact the Admissions team on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk , and a member of the team will be able to offer you further advice.
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What students say
Based on about 20 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 35%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 59%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 135 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 8%
- South East: 7%
- South West: 69%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Placement Year
- Academic Foundations
- Independent Project
- Imagining the Past
- Literature, History and Visual Cultures
- Gods, Monsters, and Heroes: Myths and Legends in Literature
- The Craft of Writing I: Prose Fiction and Non-Fiction
- Rewritings: Contemporary Literature and its Histories
- Adventures in Criticism: Introduction to Critical Theory
- Make it New: Digital Writing
- Writing and the Modern World:1600-1800
- Preparing for Dissertation Research
- Gothic Fictions, Villains, Virgins and Vampires
- Revolutions: Romanticism and Victorian Literature
- Literary transformations: Modernism and contemporary literature in the 20th and 21st centuries
- Stage 2 Professional Development, Placement Preparation and identifying opportunities
- Professional Writing for Different Media
- Brave New Worlds: Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Politics
- Modern and Contemporary Literature
- Dissertation
- University of Plymouth Literature Festival
- Eco-Dystopia: Literature, Culture and Environmental Crisis
- Portfolio and Publication
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English with Foundation at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £24,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £30,500. The £24,500 median after five years is £4,500 less than the UK median for English studies.
What do graduates of BA English with Foundation at University of Plymouth do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA English with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA English with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 97 UCAS points.
Does BA English with Foundation at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA English with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.