About this course

Gain in-depth knowledge of the English language and its cultural impact on this BA English Language and Literature degree. Discover how English emerged, how it continues to change, and how it varies across its millions of speakers. You’ll explore writing in varieties of English from the early medieval period to the present day, as well as from around the world.

You'll combine both literary and linguistic approaches to the subject on this flexible course.

You’ll study topics such as:

the history and development of the English language and its literary traditions
the cultural significance of English and its unique global status
phonetics, language acquisition and the psychology of language (psycholinguistics)
the global reach and interconnectedness of English literature

Optional modules mean you can adapt the course to match your interests. Topics you can choose to study include:

Shakespeare and early modern drama
utopian, dystopian and fantasy literature
children's literature, and child language acquisition
creative writing (including the short story and the novel)
quantitative approaches to language variation and change
phonetic analysis

Additionally, you can choose to study a foreign language through our Lifelong Learning programme, which provides extracurricular teaching in a range of languages.

Facilities, resources and support

You'll have access to our Digital Humanities Hub and support from our expert academics and technicians. Through the hub, you can investigate how technology can enhance the study of languages, cultures and linguistics. This includes:

creating immersive virtual experiences of intercultural and multilingual environments
using specialist software to analyse speech sounds or large-scale text data
explore the differences between human and machine translation

Your degree will be informed by research from our leading research centres, including the Centre for Linguistics, Language Education and Acquisition Research, the Centre for Global Englishes, and the Centre for Modern and Contemporary Writing.

You'll learn from expert academics and graduate ready for a career across industries like:

education
mass media
advertising and marketing
speech therapy
writing and publishing

This course is also available as a 4-year variant with a year abroad in countries such as America, Canada, South Korea, Germany and more. This is a good opportunity to spend a year studying at a partner university.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course locations

This course is based at Highfield and Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Download

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

ABB including English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. English Language, English Literature, History, Drama and Theatre Studies, Classical Civilisation, Criminology, English Language and Literature, Geography, Latin, Law, Modern Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB including English or another relevant essay writing* subject in Humanities or Social Sciences and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

*Relevant essay-writing subjects include: English Language, English Literature, History, Drama and Theatre Studies, Classical Civilisation, Criminology, English Language and Literature, Geography, Latin, Law, Modern Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus B in A level English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in A level English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB at A level to include English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

*Relevant essay-writing subjects include: English Language, English Literature, History, Drama and Theatre Studies, Classical Civilisation, Criminology, English Language and Literature, Geography, Latin, Law, Modern Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus B in A level English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in A level English Language or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB at A level to include English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C).

A-levels

ABB including English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. English Language, English Literature, History, Drama and Theatre Studies, Classical Civilisation, Criminology, English Language and Literature, Geography, Latin, Law, Modern Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB including English or another relevant essay writing* subject in Humanities or Social Sciences and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
BBB including English Language or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

*Relevant essay-writing subjects include: English Language, English Literature, History, Drama and Theatre Studies, Classical Civilisation, Criminology, English Language and Literature, Geography, Latin, Law, Modern Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus B in A level English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in A level English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB at A level to include English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

*Relevant essay-writing subjects include: English Language, English Literature, History, Drama and Theatre Studies, Classical Civilisation, Criminology, English Language and Literature, Geography, Latin, Law, Modern Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus B in A level English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in A level English Language or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB at A level to include English or another relevant essay writing subject* in Humanities or Social Sciences

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C).

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

The programme brings together linguistic and literary approaches to the study of English, allowing you to study a range of complementary topics taught between the two.

Each year we offer a customisable course programme with a variety of compulsory and optional modules.

Year 1 overview

Begin by exploring the key concepts of English Language and literature. You'll engage with the ideological debates surrounding the development and use of English around the world.

Your core modules will explore topics such as:

the forms and functions of literary language
the theoretical principles of literary critical study
society's effect on language, and approaches to the development of English

Your first year optional modules will give you the chance to explore anything from language processing to drama, or the historical dimensions of literary study.

Year 2 overview

Build on the core methodologies of your chosen disciplines while customising your degree. In your language core modules you'll develop key analytical tools of enquiry and linguistic principles so that you can apply them to the study of language. Through your English Literature optional core module you'll engage in an in-depth exploration of a specific period in literary history.

Your optional core modules will allow you to explore topics like:

phonetics
children's literature
19th century writing
language acquisition and the brain

Through the subject-specific and free electives available to you, you'll also have the opportunity to study:

a module in a foreign language
a module in another subject
a curriculum innovation module
a digital humanities module
creative writing options

Year 3 overview

Tailor your degree to the interests you developed in your first and second year studies. You'll take an English Language and Literature Dissertation module across the two semesters.

You can choose from a wide range of options across both subjects, including:

utopias and dystopias
Shakespeare
holocaust literature
English as a global language
language teaching and language testing
second language acquisition and speech disorders
advanced syntax and phonetics

You can customise your degree further by selecting from our range of options in Modern Languages and Linguistics, English Literature, and Creative Writing. You can also study a foreign language, a module in another subject, or a curriculum innovation module.

Students on the course who do not have English as their first language may be required to take the appropriate English Language stage. Your personal academic tutor will help guide you through the choices available.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Elements of Linguistics - Sound, Structure and Meaning

This module provides an introduction to linguistic approaches to sound, structure and meaning in the branches of linguistics known as phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics.

From English to Englishes

This module introduces you to the spread of English from its historical origins to colonial and postcolonial contexts and, further, to current global contexts. It explores sociolinguistic issues and debates centering on the development of English. It enga...

Poetic Language

How do we read poems, and what language can we use to describe our readings? This module will provide a detailed introduction to the particular qualities your ear, eye and brain will need to read poetry more effectively. You will study key features of poe...

The Making of Modern English

The module looks at the development of the English language, and examines its relationship with other, potentially rival, languages that have been spoken in the British Isles. It examines the effect of successive waves of conquest on the sociolinguistic s...

Theory & Criticism

The module asks big questions. What do we do when we interpret literature and culture, and how can we analyse our practices of interpretation? Can anything be a text, and if so what do we understand by ‘literature’? How does literature shape our identity,...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

Applications of Linguistics

This unit will introduce you to the main areas relevant to applied language studies.

English Language Stage 4

English Language Stage 5

Language Acquisition

You may have asked yourself how children learn their first language or whether some animals can speak just like humans do. People often wonder whether there are any lifelong benefits of bilingualism as well. This module introduces you to the field of lang...

Literary Transformations

Why have some stories gripped the imagination of writers, musicians, and artists across cultures and centuries? And what does the emergence and constant re-emergence of such stories tell us about ourselves and others, past and present? What do readers and...

Puzzles about Art and Literature

Both individuals and society attach great importance and value to certain works of art, including poems, novels, films, plays, symphonies, and paintings. Most of us spend a considerable amount of our limited time and resources acquiring, creating, experie...

The Act of the Essay

This module focuses on the essay as a critical practice and a literary form. The essay is fundamental to literary criticism, and basic to assessment across your degree. But the essay is also a literary and popular-cultural genre in its own right: one that...

The Invention of English Literature: Medieval to Early Modern

Where did the idea of ‘English Literature’ as we know it today come from? When and how did writers first start thinking of themselves as English authors? How did the mechanisms of book production and the material forms of books shape readers’ understandin...

World Dramas

In this module, you will learn how to approach dramatic texts in a way that takes into consideration their place in the world as a complex political, economic, and cultural network. We will focus on questions such as: • What is the difference between r...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Matthew Hunt is the course leader.

Careers

As an English language and literature graduate, you'll be qualified to work across a number of sectors; whether you're writing press releases, producing interviews or applying speech therapy techniques.

Areas you could go into include:

creative industries (eg publishing, advertising, marketing, design)
the arts and cultural sector
commercial graduate training schemes
civil service fast track
journalism
speech therapy

Our course will also give you a strong foundation in skills that are attractive to graduate employers. These include:

written and verbal communication
analytical and critical thinking
presentation
project management
research
organisation

As well as language learning opportunities provided by the Centre for Language Study, you can also make use of our Lifelong Learning programme, which provides extra-curricular teaching of some 12 languages.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £24,200.

The Government has recently announced changes to UK tuition fees from September 2025 onwards. We will update our website to reflect this shortly.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: Q325
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We normally invite all candidates to an interview.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

English Language and Literature (BA) is a course in the English subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

e

BA

English with Creative Writing

f

BA

Film and English

BA

Film and English with Year Abroad

l

BA

Liberal Arts

p

BA

English Language and Literature (BA)

About this course

Facilities, resources and support

Learn more about this subject area

English

Course locations

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

For Academic year 202425

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

Elements of Linguistics - Sound, Structure and Meaning

From English to Englishes

Poetic Language