English Literature

On our English Literature degree, you'll explore fiction's impact on the world through a distinctive curriculum. You'll engage in debates on literature's contribution to urgent global issues, while honing your expertise in literary periods and genres. You may also complete a year in industry.

Why study English literature?
An English Literature degree indulges your love of reading while equipping you with the intellectual tools to think critically, creatively and globally. It's also a practical foundation for careers in the cultural industries, one of the UK's most vibrant and internationally recognised sectors.

English Literature graduates are highly employable, with proven strengths in communication, analysis, and problem-solving. This course challenges you to be creative, critical, collaborative, curious and world-ready, preparing you to tackle the pressing issues of our time, from politics to climate change.

Why UWE Bristol?
Our forward-thinking BA(Hons) English Literature shows you how literature is essential to understanding global culture and society. You'll study a distinctive core curriculum, covering literature's role in the marketplace and wider world. Bespoke modules explore literature's impact on politics, law, the economy, and society, and investigate its engagement with global challenges such as the climate crisis.

Our English Literature degree is part of the innovative New Humanities group - an exciting, contemporary approach to the arts and humanities. Join a dynamic academic community where you'll learn from experts in their field and benefit from globally recognised research in topics including screen studies and digital humanities.

You'll learn to critically engage with global voices from the English Renaissance to the twenty-first century. You'll collaborate with students from across the Humanities, complete field trips and engage with the rich literary heritage in Bristol's renowned arts and cultural hub. A sandwich year option offers valuable industry experience - rare in humanities degrees.

Where can it take me?
You'll graduate as a confident, resilient and adaptable thinker with sought-after academic and transferable skills. Many of our graduates find careers in the creative and cultural industries, publishing, media, marketing, teaching, or the arts. You could also go on to complete further postgraduate study.

University is a time to try new things, meet new people and make new goals. With Clearing at UWE Bristol, you'll get the chance to take control of your future and choose an exciting path for yourself.

UWE Bristol offers over 100 professionally accredited courses, including Architecture, Accounting and Finance, Games Technology, Mathematics and Sport Rehabilitation. Whether you're studying an arts, business, healthcare or science degree, all undergraduate courses are designed with employability in mind. You can work a year in industry, study across the world, and get one-to-one careers advice on campus. It's no wonder an outstanding 89% of students find work or further study just 15 months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23, published 2025).

You'll also be studying in a top 10 most popular city in the UK (YouGov, 2026). With famous festivals, renowned galleries, lively nightclubs and independent restaurants right on your doorstep, you're guaranteed an incredible student experience in Bristol. With famous festivals, renowned galleries, lively nightclubs and independent restaurants right on your doorstep, you're guaranteed an incredible student experience in Bristol.

Your Future, Right Here. Study at UWE Bristol. Choose to do Clearing right.