English Language and Literature Lancaster University

English is the world’s lingua franca. Digital innovations are created, science is advanced, and business is conducted in English all over the world. But English is also the language of the British Isles and its rich histories, literature, migrations and identities. In this degree, you will explore the kaleidoscope of English variation – its regional dialects, storytellers, and ways of looking at the world – with our global leaders and discover how English works.

You will read the greats of English literature, as well as the voices that history has overlooked. From ancient myth to the contemporary graphic novel, you’ll explore a host of different literary forms, develop your critical voice, and discuss your reading and ideas with widely published scholars.

Why Lancaster?

• Learn from experts who are world renowned for their research in literacies, English dialects, forensic linguistics, Shakespearean language, the language of politics and media, and more; and with scholars working in all periods of literature from classical civilisation and the Middle Ages through to the twenty-first century, as well as many literatures from beyond Britain

• Explore the English language from a range of perspectives, drawing on subjects such as history, psychology and politics, and study a wide range of genres from both ancient and modern literatures

• Benefit from the latest language research technologies, including those used to study past and present forms of English or to investigate and solve crimes

• Develop your own critical (and even creative-critical) voice

• Enhance your professional skills by getting involved with our student-run literary journals: Cake, Lux, Flash, and Errant

Understanding the English language

Understanding where English came from, how it works, how it is used, how it varies now and how it has changed and continues to change over time is key to understanding our societies, identities, institutions and practices.

You will study fundamental issues including:

• The history and development of English

• The accents and dialects of English in the UK and beyond

• The way English is connected to ideas of gender and ethnicity

• Creative uses of English in areas like politics, media, advertising and literature

Explore the broader theories that make the study of English possible

Explore why people use English the way they do, why you may interpret English differently from others, how English reflects identity and how it is used to persuade and manipulate.

Ancient to contemporary

You will have the chance to study all the great names, as well as voices that have been forgotten or overlooked. You’ll also explore a wide range of literary forms—from ancient myth to slave memoir, Gothic fiction to dystopian narrative, and Shakespearean drama to the contemporary graphic novel.

Acts of reading

We enable our students to read widely, closely, and deeply, experiencing literature in a host of new and immersive ways.

Literature and language in the world

You will have the chance to expand your literary horizons and cultural sensitivity by studying works in translation from other languages, such as Hebrew, Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, and Palestinian and Egyptian Arabic.

Cultural community

We run many special literary events, often in spectacular locations such as Lancaster’s medieval Castle, the awe-inspiring Priory, or the archive-rich Wordsworth Grasmere in the Lake District.

These events develop a sense of community and help you to establish friendships through your studies. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in organising, marketing and hosting some of these events.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

AAB

Access to HE Diploma

36 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 9 Level 3 credits at Merit

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD

BTEC in combination with A levels

A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AB plus BTEC at D

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Distinction overall

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.