English

English at Cambridge

Over the centuries, many writers have studied in Cambridge: Edmund Spenser,  John Milton, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, EM Forster, Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes, Kamau Brathwaite, AS Byatt, Zadie Smith and Helen Oyeyemi. When established, the Cambridge course was considered ground-breaking and this ethos of innovation and progress continues to shape teaching and research here.

Today's course balances a strong grounding in literary works written in English with the chance to explore other art forms, including music and film, in relation to literature, as well as literature's connections to intellectual traditions including philosophy, art history and politics. 

Teaching and resources

You are taught by some of the world's most eminent critics and thinkers who, between them, have expertise in almost all aspects of literature. We have no set approach beyond instilling the valuable skills of critical thinking, scholarly rigour and good writing.

You have access to the vast resources of the University Library as well as the Faculty library, which houses around 80,000 books and provides computer facilities, skills training and a warm welcome. Our modern Faculty building also includes a drama studio and garden.

Socially, many English students pursue interests in creative writing, journalism and the performing arts during their time in Cambridge.

What we're looking for

English students need an intellectual curiosity which drives them to analyse new texts and ideas and to ask probing questions. We look for reading beyond the syllabus, and for independent, well-informed critical thinking.

Course outline

Teaching is provided through lectures, seminars, and small-group supervisions and classes.

You typically attend at least six hours of lectures or seminars, and two to three hours of individual, paired or small-group supervision each week. You normally write one or two short essays per week which you then discuss with your supervisor.

You will mainly be assessed by examinations. It is possible to replace certain examinations with coursework. Prizes are awarded for the best work in each year.

Year 1 (Part IA)

You take two compulsory papers:

• Practical Criticism and Critical Practice
• Shakespeare (assessed by a portfolio of essays submitted in Easter Term)

You also start work on two of the period papers, which will be examined in Part IB.

Year 2 (Part IB)

You take one compulsory paper (English Literature and its Contexts 1300-1550) and a further three papers from the following list:

• Early Medieval Literature and its Contexts 1066-1350
• English Literature and its Contexts 1500-1700
• English Literature and its Contexts 1660-1870
• English Literature and its Contexts 1830-1945 or English Literature and its Contexts 1870-Present

One of these papers (with the exception of Early Medieval Literature and its Contexts 1066-1350) can be replaced by a dissertation. 

Year 3 (Part II)

You take two compulsory papers:

• Practical Criticism and Critical Practice II
• Tragedy, which ranges from ancient Greek drama to contemporary writing

You also write a compulsory dissertation (of 6,000-7,500 words) and either submit a second dissertation (of 6,000-7,500 words) and take one optional paper, or choose two optional papers. The optional papers change regularly – the following are available in 2021-22:

• Chaucer
• Medieval English Literature 1066–1500: The Medieval Supernatural
• Material Renaissance
• Lyric
• Prose Forms 1936-56
• The Ethical Imagination
• American Literature
• Postcolonial and Related Literatures
• History and Theory of Literary Criticism
• Visual Culture
• Contemporary Writing in English
• Early Modern Drama 1588-1642
• Special Period of English Literature 1847-72
• Love, Gender, Sexuality 1740-1824

Subject to certain restrictions, it's possible to take papers from the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic; Classics; or Modern and Medieval Languages courses. Further details of these papers are available on the Faculty website.

For further information about studying English at the University of Cambridge see the Faculty of English website.

The application process

The Cambridge application process is slightly different to other universities. You still need to apply through UCAS, however, at Cambridge the process starts earlier to give us time to collect and consider all of the application information. The steps below and the following pages will guide you through the process.

You’re going to be studying to a very high level for several years so make sure you choose a course you’re personally interested in and will really enjoy studying! Check, also, that you meet the entrance requirements of the course you want to study.

Most applicants need to take a written admission assessment as part of the application process. Some applicants will also be asked to submit examples of their written work.

Please check the type of assessment required for your course as early as possible as some assessments require you to be registered before the UCAS application deadline (15 or 30 September).

Where would you like to live when you’re here? In your UCAS application, you can apply directly to one of our 29 Colleges or make an open application. 

You need to submit your UCAS application by 15 October – our institution code is CAM C05. Please note:

• Earlier or later deadlines may apply for Mature Students, Foundation Year and Organ Scholarship applicants.
• There's an additional application form if you're applying for the Graduate Course in Medicine.
• You can’t apply to both the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford in the same year.
• Some applicants will be required to submit an academic transcript.

After you’ve submitted your UCAS application, you will need to fill in an additional Cambridge-specific application form, which we’ll send you a link to by email.

Everyone with a good chance of being offered a place is invited to attend an interview. If you decide to apply, you can find videos and full information on what to expect and how to prepare, in our interviews section.

We’ll advise you of our decision before the end of January.