Located in a city with an unparalleled literary history and one that cherishes the power of the written and spoken word, the School of English and Modern Languages is a place to be both inspired and inspiring.
Whether as one of our distinguished fellows on the MA Creative Writing, a lecturer unlocking the secrets of literary greats, or a student participating in our biannual Think Human Festival, you are part of an inclusive environment where a lively exchange of ideas around literature, language and contemporary culture is actively encouraged.
Our teaching, learning and research is rooted in strong disciplinary foundations whilst encouraging bold interdisciplinary collaborations within the school, across Oxford Brookes University and beyond.
The School of English and Modern Languages comprises two centres and several clusters which support the work of researchers and doctoral students, encouraging wide participation through partnerships and our busy programme of conferences, public events and lectures.
Our researchers have an established international reputation for excellence and innovation. In the 2014 REF (Research Excellence Framework), 85% of the school's research in English was judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Students on our undergraduate programme take courses in English Literature and English Literature with Creative Writing. The degree in Applied Languages offers a wide range of languages: French, Spanish, Japanese, German and Mandarin as well as English as a Foreign Language providing Brookes’ graduates with crucial communication and intercultural skills - reinforced by a year abroad studying and working - most valued by employers in an increasingly diversified and global workplace. Our free language modules are available to students from across the university and promotes linguistic ability and cultural awareness.
For postgraduates we offer taught Master’s programmes in English Literature and Creative Writing, integrating teaching with active research projects so that you’ll have the opportunity to learn from the most up to-date thinking and even take part in ongoing research.
For those interested in higher degrees, research supervision is offered in a variety of areas related to our expertise in English Literature, Literary Linguistics and French Literature. We have particular strengths in Nineteenth-Century Poetry, Modernism, American Literature and Culture and Contemporary Writing. We also have expertise in Japanese Studies, specifically in classical and new wave Japanese cinema and Japanese religions.
A poet and senior lecturer in creative writing at Oxford Brookes University has been recently announced as a judge for the Booker Prize 2023.
Joanna Barker has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Oxford Brookes University.
On August 12, the author Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times on stage at a literary festival in New York state. Thankfully, he has survived, albeit sustaining what appear to be life-changing injuries.
An Oxford Brookes University lecturer has been presented with an award in recognition of his commitment and dedication to promoting poetry within and beyond the university.
