Welcome to English

The study of literature involves an understanding of developments in culture, and an appreciation of the intellectual and aesthetic aspects of existence. It encourages us to conceptualise and express ideas about these things, analytically and creatively, and to reason critically. As well as developing cultural insight, studying literature can also help us to cultivate excellent reading skills, skills of analysis and interpretation, and communication skills - oral and written.

The subject English Literature originated as a study of the literatures of Great Britain and Ireland, and of other literatures from the Anglophone world. But it now also incorporates comparative literature and literature in translation from around the world. In our department students can study drama, creative writing, life writing, visual texts including film, children's literature (including folk tales), and the study of non-literary texts.

Undergraduate or postgraduate studies in English will give you the opportunity to acquire skills in communication and evaluation, flexibility and independence of judgement - skills which will equip you for a broad range of careers.