English Literature

We offer a broad and flexible range of module choices, combining the innovative (e.g. Children’s Fiction, Detective Fiction with the more traditional (e.g. Victorian Literature, Contemporary Literature) which allows you to develop and pursue your own interests.

Our students benefit from small seminar groups, one-to-one tutorials, workshops and lectures. You will be taught by internationally renowned researchers. You will spend time reading creative and critical work in preparation for seminars, working with fellow students to develop and express ideas.

If you think that a degree in studying English Literature is just about reading, think again. Several of our modules involve visits to theatres, or the opportunity to and interview, visiting authors.

Our close links with local theatres, poetry groups and vibrant student societies will give you plenty of opportunities to get involved in arts and culture.

Studying literature opens up a world of inspiration, builds knowledge and also helps develops skills that are essential for today's global environment. We provide our students with transferrable skills that are valued by employers. As well as discovering how literature makes sense of the world through stories, poems, novels and plays – throughout your degree you will sharpen your own skills in writing, communication, analysis and persuasion. Our graduates have gone on to have wide-ranging and successful careers in many sectors, including the performing arts, education, law, the civil service, press, media and public relations.

Our teaching is based on the latest research. Research strengths clustered around a range of specific periods and areas of study, including: medieval and early modern literature, including editing texts; the history of the book and publishing; Welsh Writing in English; Romantic and modern literature.

The world-class quality of our research is well-recognised, ranking us in the Top 10 universities for English literature in the country for research intensity, with two-thirds of our research in the ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ categories.