BA (Hons) English and American Literature with a Placement Year

Course Overview

The writers of Britain and America are deeply connected. They share common language, readers, and reference points. And they’re also very different. Our English and American Literature with a Placement Year degree explores the commonalities and differences.

You’ll study in Norwich, a UNESCO City of Literature with a vibrant contemporary writing scene. American Studies and Creative Writing are two of the most famous and highly regarded departments in the UK. You’ll learn with authors and experts doing world-leading research on Anglo-American literature. You’ll delve into works from Chaucer and Shakespeare to Whitman and Dickinson. You’ll read contemporary poets and novelists such as Leslie Marmon Silko, Colson Whitehead and Terrance Hayes.

Our Four-Year English and American Literature with a Placement Year course allows you to tailor your studies around your interests. You’ll choose from a range of specialist modules. And you can also develop your own bespoke research project. On this version of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to spend your third year in a work placement, gaining invaluable real-world experience.

Our English and American Literature degree provides tools to comprehend the past and present. UEA is home to UEA Live, which hosts an acclaimed annual literary festival. Previous speakers include UEA alumni like Ian McEwan and Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro. Other speakers have included Toni Morrison, Susan Sontag, Zadie Smith, and Salman Rushdie.

On this course you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of Anglo-American literary cultures. It prepares you for a range of career options. Our graduates have moved into research, teaching, journalism, and the Civil Service. Publishing, NGOs, PR, and marketing are among other destinations. Are you ready to start your literary adventure?

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.

In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

A levels

ABB including English Literature or one of the below subjects:

English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

BTEC

Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM plus B at A level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

Combinations of BTEC and A levels

Extended Diploma: DDM plus B at A level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

Diploma: DD plus B at A level in English Literature or one of the below subjects:

English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level including A Level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including Higher Level 5 in English

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

• IELTS:  6.0  overall (minimum  5.5  in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

  If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Employability

After graduation you could go on to work in the arts, media, publishing, politics, charities and NGOs, teaching and the commercial sector. You’ll be equipped with sought-after skills of critical reading, independence, time management, team work, and many more. You’ll also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree. 

Our Careers Service is here to support you in launching your career by advising about CV writing, internships, and much more. Every year we run an event, Working with Words, which gives current students the chance to meet and hear from successful UEA alumni from across the creative industries. 

UEA also harbours the UEA Publishing Project which, as well as publishing internationally excellent books, co-ordinates a range of internships, curriculum support, and other publishing related activities, including its own in-house student publishing project, Egg Box, to add to a multitude of other exciting activities to turn your love of literature into a foundation for your future career.

Examples of careers you could enter include: 

• Media 
• Marketing 
• Finance 
• Publishing 
• Events management 
• Journalism 

Discover more on our Careers webpages.