English Literature [with Foundation Year] Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Explore how literature has shaped the world – and been shaped by it – while developing vital skills for career success.

An English Literature degree will help you rediscover the world through the eyes of others. The texts you read will transport you to mythical landscapes, Gothic castles, Victorian slums and cities of the future. They'll give you new insights into social and political upheavals, humanity’s relationship with our environment, and all the ways in which literature and language have shaped our world.

Our course will enable you to gain an appreciation of key periods, genres and writers, and to value multiple perspectives, but also allow you scope to follow your own passions and enthusiasms. You'll enhance your critical thinking skills and receive guidance and encouragement as you develop your own critical voice.

Why ARU?

Boost your employability: take a placement year, learn a language, and solve real-world live brief challenges for local employers

Our English courses ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and 7th in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2023

Explore your passion for literature through talks and events organised by our [Cambridge Writing Centre](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcreativeshowcase.aru.ac.uk%2Fresearch%2Fcambridge-writing-centre&data=05%7C02%7Csarah.clark1%40aru.ac.uk%7C624c9ea63749463fc0de08de212d1a86%7C5f35c3da39ae46329ac1afc2f25d2852%7C0%7C0%7C638984674786586782%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yC8mYfIB%2FW0k6OtRsKMcoOydvT%2FeBIy8Mu0ZIwzutKY%3D&reserved=0) and develop your creativity through our strong links with the [National Centre for Writing](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnationalcentreforwriting.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csarah.clark1%40aru.ac.uk%7C624c9ea63749463fc0de08de212d1a86%7C5f35c3da39ae46329ac1afc2f25d2852%7C0%7C0%7C638984674786639818%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uFGFTSrTihUX0JcAUPl99IAreIFbRRXkP12HG5oS6s8%3D&reserved=0)

Expand your network and knowledge base at events with writers, publishers and other professionals

Explore the rich local culture with extra-curricular trips to places like the British Library and the Barbican Theatre

Get expert support from experienced lecturers and additional individual guidance with your writing from our [Royal Literary Fund Fellows](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rlf.org.uk%2Finstitution%2Fanglia-ruskin-university%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csarah.clark1%40aru.ac.uk%7C624c9ea63749463fc0de08de212d1a86%7C5f35c3da39ae46329ac1afc2f25d2852%7C0%7C0%7C638984674786676055%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dD9mAzeT3PP%2FGuF68DgbRaP9njPaZakSsvYwRF5xef4%3D&reserved=0)

Careers

This course will help you gain vital skills particularly valued by employers.

These include narrative communication, empathy and perspective taking, problem solving and the art of persuasion, critical analysis, creativity and imagination, and digital skills.

Every year, core modules include employability sessions as well as live briefs; these give you the opportunity to collaborate on authentic workplace tasks with industry professionals from publishing companies, museums and other creative industries.