English Language and Literature BA

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom, Nottingham

University RankQS Ranking

109

Apply Now!

Go to Official Website

Home/United Kingdom/Nottingham /University of Nottingham/English Language and Literature BA

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom , Nottingham

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

Q392

Campuses

Nottingham

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 24,700 / year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

English Language and Literature BA

About

Indulge your curiosity and discover new passions as you explore the many disciplines of ‘English’ at Nottingham. You can tailor your degree to suit your interests through our wide range of optional modules in everything from ancient place-names to critical discourse analysis, Antonin Artaud to Zadie Smith, and sharpen your critical thinking skills as you evaluate evidence, encounter a variety of approaches and methodologies, and undergo independent research.

You’ll gain a foundation in applied linguistics and literature (from medieval to present day), thinking about the uses and the themes, principles, techniques, values and significance of literary works in their contexts. There’s also chance to develop your creative writing, learning from expert staff who are published poets and authors themselves.

Engaged Arts

All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Why choose this course?

Top 20 for English in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and Complete University Guide 2024)
Top 5 for English Language and top 10 for Creative Writing in the UK (Daily Mail University Guide 2025)
Top 100 in the world for English Language and Literature (QS World University Rankings 2024)
Put your skills into practice with Impact Magazine, University Radio Nottingham and more
Unleash your creativity in a UNESCO City of Literature, with opportunities both on campus and in the city
Give something back - volunteer and share your skills, from delivering Viking workshops at local primary schools, to reading to residents in care homes
Have the freedom to explore - following an introductory programme in year one, deepen your knowledge of your favourite topics and explore new ones through a wide range of modules
Work with our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team to assist with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities
Opportunity to apply for The Letters Page project to gain publishing industry skills

Foundation Year

You may also progress to this course from our Arts and Humanities Foundation Year, subject to eligibility

“Some of the modules that I chose which were a bit out of my comfort zone turned out to be some of my favourites. With the breadth of this course, you will struggle to find things that you have only ever done before. The modules are so amazingly broad, and they are just so enjoyable, whatever you pick.”

Nina Slater, English Language and Literature BA - read more from Nina

Find out more

Find out more about what it’s like to study in the School of English.

Important information

This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

IB score: 32 overall or 665 in Higher Level Certificates IB requirements:

Higher Level grade 6 in one of English Literature, English Language and Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Philosophy, Global Politics, Psychology, World Religions, Social and Cultural Anthropology

IELTS:

6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

English language requirements

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

High school qualifications:

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country

A level: AAB Required subjects:

A in one of English Literature, English Language, English Language and Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology ; plus a GCSE at level 4 (grade C) or above in English

Excluded subjects:

General studies, critical thinking and citizenship

Additional entry requirements:

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Non-UK entry requirements:

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:

Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Diploma
BTEC HND/HNC
BTEC Extended Diploma

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma - unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level.

Mixed qualifications accepted if taking A Level English (or other required subject) alongside.

BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD + A in A Level English Literature, English Language, English Language and Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

DD in BTEC Diploma + A in A Level English Literature, English Language, English Language and Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

D in BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ Extended Certificate + AB including A in Level English Literature, English Language, English Language and Literature, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to HE Diploma Humanities Pathway with 45 credits at level 3 of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit

15 level 3 credits must be from English modules and 9 of these English credits must be at Distinction.

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Other requirements:

N/A

Work experience:

A in English literature or English language (or combined) at A level; four GCSE passes at grade AFor applicants whose first language is not English:IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)TOEFL paper-based 600 (no less than 4.5 in TWE)TOEFL IBT 100 (no less than 19 in any element)

English Program Requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.