English Literature (BA)

at Cardiff University

Course structure

The programme is offered in full-time mode over three academic years. You will study a total of 360 credits (120 credits per year).  You must pass each academic year before being allowed to proceed.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/2023 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.

Year one
You study 120 credits each year of your degree.

Year one is a foundation year, comprising core and optional modules, which are designed to equip you with the skills for advanced study and to give you an overview of the subject that will enable you to make informed choices from the modules available in years two and three.

Year two
You select six 20-credit modules from a range of categories that are based on period, genre or theme. There are no compulsory modules.

You will be reading a variety of texts in their historical and cultural contexts, while continuing to develop your critical methodologies and knowledge of the subject.

Year three
By your final year, you will have gained experience of a variety of literary periods, topics, genres and approaches, developing your critical faculties and your skills in analysing texts and contexts.

You choose six 20-credit modules. The range of more specialised modules on offer engage with current issues in research and scholarship in relation to authors and texts, both well-known and possibly less familiar to you. You have the option to undertake independent research on a subject of your choice through the Dissertation module.

A level
ABB-BBB. If you have grade B in the relevant language A-level you will have access to the languages advanced pathways.

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

International Baccalaureate
32-31 overall or 665 in 3 HL subjects. If you have grade 6 in the relevant language at HL you will have access to the languages advanced pathways.

GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Tuition fees for 2022 entry

Fees for home status

• £9,000    

Fees for overseas status

• £19,200    

Our graduates progress into a wide range of careers using the skills gained throughout their degrees. Some choose to pursue professions making direct use of their discipline expertise, while others enter the public or private sectors, from teaching to graduate-track management.

95% of the School’s 2016/17 graduates reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey).

Taking the Class of 2017 as our most recent example, graduates from the School have gone on to roles in education, HR, marketing, publishing, public relations, the civil service, the military, banking and insurance, and the charity sector, in first posts including Trainee Teacher, Marketing Assistant, Account Executive, Digital Editor and Editorial Assistant.

During your degree you can take full advantage of the wide-range of opportunities provided by the Careers Service.

Graduate careers

• Reporter
• Crime Intelligence Analyst
• Teacher
• Writer
• Researcher