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UCL English

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About the department

UCL’s English department is a pioneer in the study of English language and English literature, from Old English to current literature. We are located in the Bloomsbury area of London, a centre of British literary life.

Our courses

Our varied syllabus, with its shared emphasis on traditional literary skills and modern thought, is one of the most enduring and highly regarded in Britain.

Students can study for an undergraduate BA degree in English or a combination of English and another subject. We offer a number of postgraduate degrees and MPhil/PhD supervision in a wide range of topics.

Find out more about our courses on our prospective students page.

Our research

Our staff have a wide breadth of expertise across many literary periods, from medieval to modern, and topics, such as London and American literature. They also have expertise in the English language.

Our research reflects our expertise. The internationally renowned Survey of English Usage is based in or department. The Survey was set up in 1959 by Randolph Quirk. It carries out research in English language corpus linguistics and was the first centre in Europe to do this type of research.

Find out more about our research.

People

Our people

Find contact details for our academic and administrative staff.

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Alumni

Information for our alumni, including events and how you can support us.

Contact Us

Our contact details

Where to find UCL English and how to contact us.

The Wilkins building and Portico at University College London (UCL) with blossoming trees.

History of the English Department

Read about the history of UCL's English department.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitee meets regularly to consider ideas, proposals, and complaints in the department. Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UCL English.

Sustainability at UCL English
Picture called Crown of Leaves by Clive Hicks-Jenkins. A drawing of a green man with leaves on his head.

We are committed to:

  • promoting the most efficient use of energy in all areas
  • reducing the waste of energy

 Contact the English department Green Champion if you have any suggestions on how we can make our department greener.  

We have achieved UCL Green Impact bronze awards. Green Impact is a UCL-wide environmental competition and accreditation scheme run by the National Union of Students.

Visit Sustainable UCL's webpages for news about green initiatives across the university including Green Impact.