English Language and Literature (in Universities) Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

English Language and Literature (in Universities) Studies in The United Kingdom

English language and literature is one of the classic humanities degrees in the United Kingdom. Students read literature written in English from the medieval period to the present, and study how the language works, how it has changed and how it is used. Courses are called English, English Literature or English Language and Literature, depending on the balance between the two sides. This directory lists 40 schools for the subject in the UK: seven in London, three in Oxford and two each in Edinburgh, Sheffield and Manchester.

How the degree is organised

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the first degree is a bachelor's degree with honours, normally a BA (Hons), which is a level 6 qualification. It usually takes three years of full-time study: King's College London, The University of Sheffield, Lancaster University and Royal Holloway University of London all list three years for their English degrees. In Scotland, degree-level study usually takes four years, and the first arts degree at the older universities has a different name: the University of St Andrews awards an English MA (Hons), which can be combined with another subject as a joint degree.

Content varies between universities. King's College London teaches English literatures written in the US, Africa, Ireland, South Asia and the UK. Sheffield's English Language and Literature BA has modules on each discipline separately and others on the relationship between the two. Royal Holloway describes its BA as covering more than 1,000 years of literature and includes creative writing modules. Some courses add an optional placement year or study abroad.

• BA (Hons): three years (four in Scotland), level 6
• Master's degree (MA, or MLitt at St Andrews): level 7; full-time master's courses last one or two academic years
• Doctorate (PhD or DPhil): level 8

Where to study

Examples from this directory in and around London are King's College London, University College London, London Metropolitan University and Royal Holloway University of London in Egham. Elsewhere in England the list includes the University of Oxford, The University of Sheffield, The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Lancaster University and the University of Bristol. In Scotland there are The University of Edinburgh, the University of St Andrews and the University of Stirling, and in Wales Cardiff University.

The list also contains university language centres that teach English as a foreign language rather than literature, such as the English Language Teaching Centre of The University of Sheffield, which offers courses for students preparing to study at the university, and ELCOS at Bangor University.

Admission and English level

Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements, usually stated as A levels, and many accept equivalent international qualifications. UK ENIC, the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, issues statements that compare a foreign qualification with the UK system. Typical A level requirements for the courses cited here are AAA at King's College London and AAB at Sheffield and Lancaster.

A literature degree demands a high level of English. Sheffield asks for IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component, Lancaster for 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, and Royal Holloway for 6.5 overall with 6 in writing. Undergraduate applications are sent through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. For 2027 entry, the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time); for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge it is 15 October 2026. Many universities accept international applications until later in the year.

Costs and visa

Tuition fees depend on fee status. Lancaster University lists undergraduate fees for 2027/28 of £10,050 for home students and £26,300 for international students on this course; Royal Holloway lists £24,600 per year for EU and international students in 2027/28.

International students normally need a Student visa for a full degree. According to GOV.UK (checked on 8 October 2026), applicants must be 16 or over, hold an offer from a licensed student sponsor and prove English equivalent to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study. The application costs £558 from outside the UK, plus a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year for students. Applicants must also show living-cost funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months, and can apply at the earliest six months before the course starts.

Recognition and careers

The national qualification levels (6, 7 and 8) help authorities and employers abroad to compare UK degrees; recognition in another country is decided by that country. Sheffield reports that its English graduates have gone into roles such as academic publishing consultant, communications officer, assistant copy editor, copywriter and project manager. Teaching, journalism and further study are other common routes. After the degree, the Graduate visa allows a stay of 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an English degree take in the United Kingdom?

A bachelor's degree with honours usually takes three years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and four years in Scotland. A full-time master's takes one or two academic years.

What English level do I need to study English literature in the UK?

The Student visa requires the equivalent of CEFR level B2 for degree study, but universities set higher levels for this subject: for example IELTS 7.0 at Sheffield and 6.5 at Lancaster and Royal Holloway.

How much are tuition fees for international students?

Each university sets its own fee. For 2027/28, Lancaster University lists £26,300 a year and Royal Holloway £24,600 a year for international students on their English degrees.