Study english literature abroad

English Literature program structure

You can study English literature as a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. A BA usually takes three or four years of study and will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the academic field.

Unlike an undergraduate degree, postgraduate qualifications require you to narrow your focus to a specific genre, period, or author. An MA can be studied over one or two years, while a PhD can take between four and seven years to finish.

It’s popular to study English literature alongside another subject as part of a joint-honors course. Although subject combinations vary, the most common pairings include philosophy, history, politics, or a foreign language.

If you choose to study in the US, you’ll major in English literature. This means that you’ll dedicate a certain number of hours and credits to English-specific modules, alongside working on your wider liberal arts education.

English programs are famous for having a low number of dedicated teaching hours, so you’ll be expected to do lots of individual reading and study. You’ll attend lectures introducing you to key scholars, concepts, and theories. You’ll then use seminars and workshops to apply this knowledge to texts, as well as discussing and debating interpretations.

You’ll mainly be assessed through critical essays and written exams, but presentations and group projects may also feature.

Most English programs are highly flexible and students can choose from a wide range of elective modules. However, there are some core topics that you can expect to study, including:

• Literature throughout history
• Literature and theory
• Creative writing
• Introduction to poetry
• Narrative forms
• Contemporary literature
• Literature and sociocultural contexts - gender, sexuality, and race
• Literature and the nation