English Literature and Politics (Placement Year) Lancaster University

Immerse yourself in a dynamic exploration of two complementary disciplines: Our English Literature and Politics degree at Lancaster gives you an exciting opportunity to engage with a wide range of literary texts while considering power dynamics and societal issues that govern daily life in the modern world.

In this interdisciplinary course, you will explore the literary greats as well as the voices that history has overlooked. Read widely, closely, and deeply, experiencing literature in a host of new and immersive ways.

Together with our expert lecturers you will analyse current global issues, such as social injustice, climate change, migration and the declining trust in democracy. Graduate with a strong skill set in critical thinking that will prepare you for various career paths.

Why Lancaster?

• Study a wide range of genres from both ancient and modern literatures

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

• Be part of Literary Lancaster

• Network with external partners, policymakers, and guest speakers who can provide valuable insights into the key political issues of the moment

• Join the only university to have both a parliamentary studies module, run in conjunction with UK Parliament, and a dedicated Politics Policy School with the HM Government Open Innovation team

• Take advantage of our annual internship opportunities, where you can work on live research projects with NGOs, think tanks and charities

What will I study in English Literature?

Literary study at Lancaster offers a rich engagement with the very best of literature from classical and medieval to the modern and contemporary.

We are pioneers in experimental or creative forms of literary criticism, as well as encouraging established forms of literary scholarship, such as archival work, historicism, close reading, and literary theory.

To enhance your experience, 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 nearby Lake District.

What topics will I cover in Politics?

You’ll be taught by academics who regularly collaborate with government bodies such as UK Parliament, on important issues such as racial injustice, voter rights, and migration. You’ll develop a deep understanding of politics across the globe.

Key themes could include:

• The crisis in democracy

• Global issues

• Voting behaviour and political movements

• Power, politics and public policy

• Global capitalism and economic inequality

You will learn through interactive sessions such as policy labs and mock select committees, citizens assembly and PMQs. You will have the opportunity to meet politicians and engage with local issues, to analyse evidence and find out what strategies and campaigns really work.

To present your work, you could be creating a policy brief, podcast, reflective diary, blog, research portfolio, or policy memo and evaluation.

As you progress though the course, you will be able to choose modules from either subject, depending on your own interests.

How can I enhance my career prospects?

If you are interested in writing, publishing, and editing you could choose to get involved in one of our four student-run literary journals: Cake, Flash, Lux and Errant.

You could also volunteer to help at Litfest, Lancaster’s annual literature festival which attracts well-known authors from around the world.

You may also apply for an internship with Lancaster’s Richardson Institute for Peace Studies and gain valuable experience working on a project for an organisation such as an NGO, think tank or charity.

Your Placement Year

Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.

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

ABB

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 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

DDM

BTEC in combination with A levels

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

International Baccalaureate

32 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.