BA (Hons) English Literature with a Placement Year
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- Q30P
- Typical Offer
- ABB (specific subjects required)
- Contextual Offer
- BBC (specific subjects required)
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Do you feel excited when you see the words ‘Chapter One’? Do you want to discover how storytelling has shaped the world from ancient times to today? Are you ready to express your ideas with confidence, creativity, and originality? Then join our BA English Literature with a Placement Year degree at UEA in the beautiful and historic city of Norwich, famous as the City of Stories.
Based in UEA’s renowned School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, this course offers exceptional flexibility, giving you the freedom to follow your own literary interests. You’ll gain a strong foundation in writing from across periods, cultures, and genres. Our expert tutors bring a wide range of specialisms from medieval literature to contemporary fiction and will support you in deepening your understanding of the authors and books you already love, while inspiring you to discover new voices and texts you’ve yet to encounter.
Our modules are assessed entirely through coursework and our passionate and knowledgeable lecturers will support you in honing your critical writing and analytical skills. In seminars, you’ll take part in engaging and supportive group discussions, while guided learning exercises outside the classroom will support your studies. Throughout the course, you’ll gain a fresh and confident understanding of how to work with words – both your own and those of others. In year three, you’ll also spend between 9-12 months on a placement, gaining invaluable work experience and real-world skills in a relevant area of your choice.
Norwich has been home to ground-breaking writers and readers for centuries. From Julian of Norwich – the first woman to write a book in English – to award-winning UEA alumni like Sir Kazuo Ishiguro. As an English Literature student, you'll immerse yourself in this thriving literary scene. You'll have access to unique resources like UEA's British Archive for Contemporary Writing. You'll be able to go to literary events or publishing fairs at the world-renowned National Centre for Writing. It's no wonder Norwich became England's first UNESCO City of Literature!
Our English Literature degree will make you a skilled reader and a confident, compelling communicator. Alongside your studies, you’ll have countless opportunities to explore your career aspirations. You might write for UEA’s award-winning student newspaper, Concrete, or get involved with the student-led publishing imprint, Eggbox. You can attend our annual careers event, 'Working With Words'. You'll graduate ready to take the skills you've learned into a whole range of fulfilling careers. Recent graduates have succeeded in industries including publishing, journalism, teaching, heritage and marketing.
Placement Year
In year three of your English literature degree, you’ll have the opportunity to greatly enhance your employability by securing a 9–12-month work placement. You'll be expected to source your own work placement with the support of UEA's CareerCentral Service and your school.
Find out more about this exciting opportunity at Placement Years in Arts and Humanities.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you’ll explore a wide range of literature, sharpening your skills in literary analysis through engaging lectures and small-group seminars. You’ll immerse yourself in contemporary writing and journey into the mythical past with texts like Homer’s The Odyssey. You’ll examine key works from across literary history, building your confidence and deepening your appreciation of literature from different periods.
You’ll also trace the global history of English—from its roots in multilingual medieval societies to the diverse literatures shaped by colonialism and its resistance. Alongside this, you’ll investigate how literary critics have formed arguments across centuries, discovering the many forms critical writing can take today.
In addition, you’ll have the option to study creative writing, guided by UEA’s internationally renowned Creative Writing department. Or you might choose to explore another humanities subject such as politics, history, or languages.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your academic year will be divided into two semesters: Autumn and Spring. In your first year, you’ll take three modules each semester, with around seven to nine hours of contact time per week. You’ll attend engaging lectures led by our expert literary critics, introducing you to fresh ideas and new ways of thinking about literature. In seminars, you’ll take part in stimulating discussions with your peers, guided by your seminar leader. Our small group teaching approach ensures you’ll learn in a supportive, friendly environment where your voice can be heard. You’ll also have the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with your tutors, and your dedicated academic adviser will be there to support you throughout your English Literature degree—helping with everything from module choices to planning your future career.
If you’d like to get a sense of what sorts of books you might read in your first year, check out our list of suggested (but entirely optional) reading for incoming Literature students!
Independent Learning
You’ll read extraordinary books, supported by guided tasks from your lecturers to help you engage deeply with each text. As you explore the library, you’ll uncover a rich array of resources to enhance your learning and spark new interests. Beyond the classroom, you might join student societies and take part in extra-curricular activities where you’ll connect with fellow booklovers who share your passion for literature. By the end of your first year, you’ll be equipped with the skills and confidence to make the most of your literary journey ahead.
Assessment
Throughout your degree, all modules in English Literature have no exams as we believe you express your ideas best in written coursework (usually one or two pieces per module) which you can carefully craft. You'll develop renewed enthusiasm for writing academic essays, but you’ll also have the chance to express your thinking in a diverse variety of forms, from reviews to personal reflective writing. The only way you might take an exam is if you choose specific optional modules outside English literature in other disciplines. In practice, most of our students are assessed completely by written coursework.
Feedback
To prepare for coursework, you'll receive feedback on pieces of 'formative' work from your tutors, for example in one-to-one tutorials. As your first year doesn’t count toward your overall degree result, it's the perfect opportunity to experiment and take risks.
Structure
After your first year, there are no compulsory modules, giving you the freedom to shape your English Literature degree to reflect your own interests and ambitions. You’ll choose from a range of modules which cover the sweep of English literary history, as well as others which invite you to explore literature from across the globe.
You’ll also select from a separate range of modules designed to help you to develop your voice as a writer. Modules focusing on the creative industries offer insight into professional pathways, while our innovative creative-critical modules invite you to blend analytical thinking with creative experimentation. If you wish, you can explore creative writing or choose a module with an interdisciplinary focus—continuing your journey into subjects such as history, politics, languages, or American studies, or even discovering one of these areas for the first time.
To ensure you gain a solid understanding of the history of English literature, you’ll take at least three modules in literature written before 1789—at least two of them during your second year. Along the way, you might explore the romances and fables of the Middle Ages, the bold voices of 17th-century women poets, or the drama of Shakespeare.
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 80, Max Credits: 100)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll choose six modules to take during your second year: three in the Autumn semester and three in the Spring. You’ll have between seven and nine contact hours per week. Lectures and seminars will immerse you in particular eras of literature. You may also choose seminars which explore journalism or publishing (using our state-of-the-art Media Suite), or creative writing. You’ll have the option of a short-term work placement as part of a Humanities-wide module to gain real-world experience of using the skills you’re developing in your degree. You'll also continue to benefit from the support of your academic adviser.
Independent Learning
You'll be guided by your tutors through regular exercises designed to help you focus your reading and writing outside of the seminar room. You’ll deepen your command of the craft of literary criticism and discover where your true literary passions lie. You'll gain the confidence to take more risks in your academic work, finishing the year with a real sense of how your love of literature will underpin your career.
Assessment
You'll continue to submit coursework for all your literature modules, taking your essay writing to new heights and becoming increasingly daring in your work. While essay writing remains the cornerstone of your degree, you might also submit podcasts or videos or exhibition plans, or experiment with creative criticism, for instance by writing a short story which reveals your critical understanding of that form. You may also take a module from another discipline this year, which might lead you to take an exam, but in practice the vast majority of our students are assessed entirely by written coursework.
Feedback
You'll continue to have the support and feedback of your tutors, which your academic adviser can help you incorporate into your work. As your marks begin to count toward your final degree classification, you might draw on the support offered by our Learning Enhancement Team (who are there to help with everything from study skills to academic writing).
Structure
You’ll spend your third year on a placement. You'll be responsible for securing the placement, supported by UEA’s well-established connections throughout the UK and beyond. During your placement, you’ll be supported by a placement mentor, who will regularly monitor and review your progress with you, and you’ll have access to remote support from UEA, too, to make sure everything is going smoothly and you’re getting the most out of your experience.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your third year will be spent on your placement, providing you with the opportunity to experience the world of work while applying some of the skills and knowledge you’ve developed during your first two years of study.
Assessment
You'll be asked to reflect on your placement by, for instance, offering a self-appraisal of what you’ve learnt to demonstrate your broader commercial awareness of your placement’s sector.
Structure
In your fourth year, you’ll choose from a wide selection of specialist modules shaped by the research expertise of our academic staff. Possible topics include feminist writing, banned books, apocalyptic fiction, medieval monsters, myths and their rewriting, and children’s literature. This is a chance to deepen your knowledge of a period, genre or concept that you’ve encountered before, or try out something new and expand your literary horizons. You might also decide to undertake a dissertation, which is an exciting opportunity to work one-to-one with a tutor on a research topic of your choice.
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 60, Max Credits: 120)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your fourth year, you’ll select two modules in each semester, with a total of six hours contact time per week. This means you’ll have the chance to explore cutting-edge literary topics in depth, in our three-hour seminars taught by a subject-specialist. If you wish, you may pursue a dissertation as one of your module choices, working one-on-one with a literary critic on a topic of your choice. If you took the introduction to creative writing last year, you might choose a creative writing workshop, shaping your writing under the guidance of a published writer.
Independent Learning
While retaining the support and guidance of your seminar leaders, you'll bring together all the skills and confidence you've developed in independent research and critical writing, as you master the fields of literary study that have come to matter the most to you.
Assessment
You’ll continue to be assessed through written coursework, refining your essay-writing skills with more substantial and independently developed projects. You may choose to undertake a dissertation, giving you the chance to delve deeply into a topic of choice. If you're interested in pushing creative boundaries, you might experiment with innovative forms of critical expression, such as the genre-blending style of ‘auto-fiction’. Whatever direction your writing takes, you’ll emerge from your degree with the confidence and ability to express your ideas in ways you may never have imagined at the start of your studies.
Feedback
You’ll receive detailed and focused feedback to help hone your abilities, enabling you to graduate at the end of your final year with highly developed skills in writing and argument which are hugely valued by employers.
Employability
After the Course
Upon graduating from your English Literature with a Placement Year degree, you’ll be uniquely poised as a nimble thinker, a skilled reader and an excellent communicator. You might go on to work in the arts, media, publishing, politics, charities and NGOs, teaching or the commercial sector. Or you could go into marketing, like our former student Rebecca. You’ll be equipped with sought-after skills of critical reading, independence, time management, teamwork, and many more. You’ll also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree.
Our Careers Service is here to support you in launching your career by advising with CV writing, internships, and much more. Every year we run an event, Working with Words, which gives current students the chance to meet and hear from successful UEA alumni from across the creative industries. UEA has its own in-house student publishing project, Egg Box, along with many other exciting initiatives that give you opportunities to turn your love of literature into a foundation for your future career.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Journalism
- Publishing
- Media
- Marketing
- Heritage and Museums
- Teaching
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
To include English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM plus B at A-Level
Contextual offer: DMM plus B at A-Level
A-Levels to include English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities & Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in1 5 credits at Level 3.
Contextual offer: Access to Humanities & Social Sciences Pathway. Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Not accepted.
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - BA English Literature with a Foundation Year
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall including HL grade 5 in English, History, Global Politics or Psychology.
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
To include English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Scottish Highers
AAABB
To include English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC
To include English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
To include English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall including HL grade 5 in English, History, Global Politics or Psychology.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
-
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: