
Study english literature abroad
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Find english literature programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.
English Literature degrees abroad
English literature is the academic study of texts spanning a range of time periods and genres. You’ll be challenged to analyze the form and meaning of novels, poetry, plays, short stories, and various other texts.
It’ll be your job to examine how texts have been influenced by the historical and cultural contexts in which they were set or written. You’ll apply critical theory and research to offer insightful and original interpretations of texts.
Studying English literature abroad is a great way to understand more about the world we live in. You’ll see for yourself how literature is used to educate, entertain, and inspire people across the globe. Visiting the setting of your favorite novel, or the hometown of your go-to author, will enrich your understanding and spark your creativity, helping you to become a deeper and more critical thinker.


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
Best countries to study english literature
Best universities to study english literature
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English Literature study abroad programs
English literature undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in english literature
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American Sign Language Studies: American Sign Language Literature and Deaf Cultural Studies - BA University of Connecticut, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
37,698 USD
Fee in university's local currency 37,698 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Anthropology and Classical Literature and Civilisation - BA University of Birmingham, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,318 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,740 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Biblical Literature - BA Indiana Wesleyan University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,184 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,184 USD
- Start date
- May, September, January
-
Children's Literature - BA Stephen F. Austin State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,564 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,564 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Religion and English Literature - Dual BA (Hons) Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,425 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,609 EUR
- Start date
- September
Associate in english literature
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English: Literature and Writing Studies (Direct Transfer) - AA North Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- April, June, September, January
-
Liberal Studies: Language and Literature - AA CIS - The College For International Studies, Spain
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,763 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,000 EUR
- Start date
- May, September, January
-
Literature - AAOT Lane Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,500 USD
- Start date
- September, January, March
-
Literature & Society - AA South Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- April, June, September, January
-
Literature (for Transfer) - AA Portland Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,290 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,290 USD
- Start date
- June, September, January, March
Diploma in english literature
-
English Literature - DipHE University of Cumbria, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,768 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,800 GBP
- Start date
- September
Pathway in english literature
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English Literature (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,413 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,700 GBP
- Start date
- September, January
English literature graduate programs
Master's in english literature
-
Victorian Gothic: History, Literature and Culture - MA University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
4,496 USD
Fee in university's local currency 3,650 GBP
- Start date
- October, January
-
Children's and Young Adult Literature - MA (with foundation) Dublin City University, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 20 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,322 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
English Language and Literature: Creative Writing - MA Central Michigan University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,300 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,300 USD
- Start date
- September, March
-
English Literature - MA McNeese State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,500 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
English: Literature - MA University of South Alabama, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,458 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,458 USD
- Start date
- August, January
Doctorate in english literature
-
Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,080 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP
- Start date
- October, February
-
English Pedagogy: Teaching English Literature - DA Murray State University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,200 USD
- Start date
- August, January, April
Diploma in english literature
-
Childrens Literature - PGDip Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,905 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,374 EUR
- Start date
- September
Future english literature careers
Your English literature degree will act as a springboard for further study or employment. The communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills you’ve developed will be transferable to several sectors and roles. Here are some of the most common graduate destinations:
- Copywriter
- Editorial assistant
- Writer
- Publisher
- Teacher
- Marketing and media assistant
- Journalist
- PR assistant
Future employers will often ask for extra evidence of your passion for English literature. It’s a good idea to join your University’s literature society, contribute to the student magazine, or arrange some work experience in the career you’d like to pursue. These activities will help to strengthen your CV and improve your employability.
