English Literature with Foundation

Discover how literature has shaped our view of the world, and develop core academic skills, with our BA English Literature with Foundation course.

This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course.

Literature is characterised by extraordinary richness and diversity. Throughout your studies, you will explore texts from across the globe, across a range of genres and periods. Enter lively debate with others who share your passion for literature; study authors and genres that you may already know, and discover others that may be less familiar to you.

Our BA English Literature with Foundation course will provide you with:
- the creative and critical ability to examine texts in detail, and draw your own conclusions


- knowledge of a variety of literary texts — including poetry, prose, drama and film — from a range of periods


- an awareness of the ways in which literature responds to cultural context, and how texts accrue new meaning.


For more information, please visit the course page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/foundation-programmes-ug/ba-english-literature-with-foundation

There are many reasons to choose the University of Reading. Join a diverse and supportive community where lecturers inspire you with their discoveries and guide you in making your own. Reading’s award-winning parkland campus offers the spaces you need to make the most of your student life.

The University of Reading is a research-intensive university. It works with governments, international agencies and charities to tackle the biggest problems facing the world today, such as climate change, heart disease, and international conflict.

Named The Sustainable University of The Year, 2025, Reading launched one of the UK's largest ever undergraduate scholarship schemes, designed to develop future Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarships. The scholarship offers £6000 per year towards living expenses and will be available to those entering Clearing that meet the criteria. With over 150 clubs and societies, Reading knows how important life is beyond your studies and with the student union's in the heart of the campus, making the University of Reading your first call in Clearing will be one of the best decisions you ever made.