English Literature with a Foundation Year BA (Hons)

English Literature is one of the most diverse, stimulating and challenging disciplines we offer and studying this four-year BA with a Foundation Year cultivates sensitivity towards language and opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by helping you to develop transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers.<br/><br/>The Foundation Year gives you an exciting introduction to Higher Education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful on your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after Further Education or are returning to education after a gap.<br/><br/>After progression from the foundation year, you will have the chance to explore over a thousand years of literature, from Beowulf to the present day.<br/><br/>Our course covers national and global literature including Renaissance literature, Gothic and genre fiction, 19th century literature and contemporary fiction. Other topics include gender and culture, creative and professional writing.<br/><br/>You will have the chance to spend a semester studying in the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong or Singapore, further improving your student experience and career prospects. <br/><br/>**Why English Literature with a Foundation Year at Swansea?**<br/>English at Swansea is ranked: <br/>- 11th in the UK for Research Impact (REF2021)<br/><br/><br/>- Top 20 in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)<br/><br/><br/>- Top 101-150 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)<br/><br/><br/>You will learn from experienced, established writers whose work has been widely published, broadcast and performed and our academic staff are internationally recognised for their research.<br/><br/>**Your English Literature with a Foundation Year Experience**<br/>Our BA (Hons) English Literature with Foundation Year degree will give you an exciting introduction to higher education and is part of a four-year undergraduate integrated degree. You will learn how to improve your oral and writing skills, investigate and obtain information, present your ideas in a range of formats, solve problems and make informed decisions.During your Foundation Year, you will learn the key skills you’ll need to make your degree a success while developing knowledge of your subject area and how it relates to the humanities and social sciences.<br/><br/>You will start the degree course in your second year and can shape your studies to your interests. Our varied and flexible course content covers national and global literatures, gender and culture, Renaissance literature, Gothic and genre fiction, 19th century literature through to modernity and contemporary writing as well as creative and professional writing. On our English and Creative Writing degree you will learn a range of writing skills to equip you for a career as a writer, including novels, plays, poetry, film scripts, and non-fiction. You will explore a range of styles and genres, as well as studying the history, traditions and theory of English Literature. You will also have the option of a semester in the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong or Singapore.<br/><br/>You will also have a personal tutor for any pastoral and academic support you may need, and the English Student Society at Swansea organises a range of literary, social and cultural events.<br/><br/>Wales has a rich lyric tradition and Swansea is the birthplace of Dylan Thomas. You could also get involved with projects with the Dylan Thomas Centre and the National Theatre Wales.<br/><br/>Please visit our course page for more information. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/english-literature-creative-writing/ba-english-literature-foundation-year/