The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
English Literature
BA (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
Q320
Start dates
September 2021 / September 2022
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years
Part time: 6 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
112
Overview
Would you like to explore what it means to be human? When you study English Literature at Oxford Brookes, you will immerse yourself in some of the biggest questions and ideas that have inspired writers for generations.
From Shakespeare to contemporary literature, you'll examine key aspects of culture and society. You’ll gain a keen understanding of how writers have tackled some of the major issues facing human beings across the centuries. And, you’ll read some of the greatest works of literature, exploring issues such as
- What identity means
- Whether literature can change the world
- What motivates us
Our expert teaching staff are active researchers and are widely published. This means we can offer modules that provide specialist pathways in:
- Creative Writing
- Drama
As you progress through your course, you can expect to build essential skills for future employment. You’ll develop your communication and critical thinking abilities. And, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or entrepreneurial project.

Combine this course
You can study this course as part of a combined honours degree. This course can be combined with:
How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
For more information about how we are supporting applicants impacted by Covid-19, please see our information for applicants page.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 112
A Level: BBC
IB Points: 30
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Further offer details
For combined honours, normally the offer will lie between the offers quoted for each subject.
Applications are also welcomed for consideration from applicants with European qualifications, international qualifications or recognised foundation courses. For advice on eligibility please contact Admissions: admissions@brookes.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.
If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors.
If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.
We operate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Application process
Full time Home / EU applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home / EU applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
The library contains limited copies of most compulsory texts, but you may be expected to obtain books or materials depending on the modules and options you select. If students wish to purchase additional books to supplement their reading, this is at their own discretion. You will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement and will be responsible for travel and associated costs. It is advised that you organise placements bearing this in mind.
Learning and assessment
In year 1 you will develop the core skills which you will use throughout the rest of your degree. You can choose some modules outside your core subject, including those modules that lead to a specialist pathway in either Creative Writing or Drama.
In year 2 you will take core modules and choose options which broaden and deepen the knowledge and skills gained in Year 1.
In your final year you will specialise further. Your modules will relate specifically to the areas of research in which your lecturers are engaged and in which they publish.
The Advanced Options modules offer intensive, small-group teaching in a specialised area of study. They will extend and deepen your:
- knowledge
- analytical skills
- and appreciation of yourself as a critic.
You may also choose to continue developing your specialist knowledge in:
- Creative Writing
- Drama.

Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Your teaching and learning will include a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials:
- Lectures - given by course tutors, lectures offer a framework for the course as well as guidance for further study.
- Seminars - give you the opportunity to develop your oral skills, ability to think and argue within the flow of discussion.
- Tutorials - usually carried out on a one-to-one basis. You can get advice on the preparation of coursework and we provide you with feedback on your work.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
We use exams, coursework, or a combination of both to assess your work.
Coursework includes:
- creative writing and essays
- critical rewrites of literary texts
- group presentations.
Your examinations usually involve essays, or critical responses to a passage from a set text.
Study Abroad
Our English programme has links with many universities across the world, allowing you the opportunity to spend a semester experiencing another country and culture. Previous students have studied in Australia, the US, Canada, Norway and Denmark.
Tuition fees are paid as they would be if you remained in the UK. You will be responsible for all other costs such as accommodation, purchasing your airfares, travel and health insurance and visas.
After you graduate
Career prospects
English will help you to acquire a range of highly transferable qualities including analytical thinking, evaluative and research skills, self-discipline, and effective written and spoken communication.
Oxford Brookes English Literature students do well in the job market after they graduate, leaving the University with a well-regarded qualification. Recent graduates have begun outstanding careers in a variety of fields including publishing, journalism, advertising and media, public relations, teaching and commerce.
Others have gone on to further study at postgraduate level, often staying at Oxford Brookes to do so.
Further study
Once you have successfully completed your degree, you can stay with us to continue on to more in-depth postgraduate study.
We currently offer taught courses for MA Creative Writing and MA English Literature, and also welcome those who would like to join us to undertake further research such as an MA by Research, an MPhil, or a PhD.
Student profiles
Our Staff
Dr Andrea Macrae
I teach, research and publish in the areas of stylistics, narratology and cognitive poetics, with a specialism in deixis.
Read more about AndreaDr Niall Munro
I mainly work in the field of American literature, especially modernist writings. I have a particular interest in the poetry of Hart Crane (the subject of my first monograph), as well as in queer modernism and queer theory more generally.
Read more about NiallFree language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
Programme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.