English Literature and French BA (Hons),with placement

What you will study

The English literature part of this course covers a range of literary periods, authors, genres and theories. You’ll analyse classic works, as well as innovative texts and genres, such as travel writing, nineteenth-century theatre and fiction, science-fiction, and contemporary global literatures. 

The foreign language component is taught almost exclusively in French, giving you high-level language training.  

You can spend your third year on placement in a country where French is spoken, giving you the opportunity to study English literature at one of our partner institutions across Europe and/or work in one of the many companies with which we have links. 

The French and English Literature elements of this course complement one another and enhance your learning, giving you unique insights into language, literature and culture. 

Events and workshops

Alongside your lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops, you'll have a wide range of opportunities to engage with our vibrant research culture and arts activities.  

Literary events on and around campus include the annual Morag Morris Poetry Lecture, the Surrey Poetry Festival and the Surrey New Writers Festival.  

Literature and Languages also regularly hosts talks by major writers and critics, as well as literary agents, publishers and other speakers of interest.  

Our current Poet in Residence for 2024-25 is Professor Peter Jaeger, who offers regular writing workshops. We are in the process of appointing a new Writer in Residence, but previous writers have included the acclaimed authors Neel Mukherjee, Monika Ali and Iain Sinclair. 

Facilities

Our language teaching facilities include digital language labs, a multimedia lab, state-of-the-art interpreting facilities, our own virtual learning environment and an e-portfolio system that appeals to the most creative among you. 

Between classes, you can use our Language Study Area, designed for independent language learning. This is located in our purpose-built Learning Centre, which is open 24 hours a day, six days a week, as well as during most of Sunday during semester time.  

We have a computer suite of PCs offering the latest in language learning technology, including specialist software to practise subtitling and audio description, and interactive programs in 18 different languages to develop your language skills. 

You can read the international press and choose from a range of books and audio materials. 

If you prefer film or video as a means of learning, you can access our media store of programmes and films, watch online, watch live satellite TV from five countries, or choose a foreign film from our world cinema collection.

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.