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BA English
The English Department programmes aim to provide a historically-based overview of the literature of all periods, together with opportunities to specialise in particular periods of literature, in modern English language, and in non-period courses. Students are encouraged to develop their own interests and may choose from a wide variety of specialisms. Please see the English BA online prospectus for further details.
Why study English at UCL?
UCL was the first university in England to teach English at undergraduate level, and since then the English Department's courses have evolved to reflect the twin virtues of breadth (students are encouraged to take a range of papers, and to graduate with a broad understanding of the development of English literature over time) and depth (students have a wide choice of optional papers, which can be taken in any combination, and the provision of different 'sign-up' seminars in many optional courses further encourages students to tailor courses around their own interests, whilst not losing the sense of a wider context).
Open Day Video by Dr Hugh Stevens
Taster Sessions
Dr Charlotte Roberts, Laurence Sterne, The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759-67)
Dr Amy Faulkner, Old English Literature, Unlocking the word-hoard
Dr Kathryn Allan, Literary Linguistics, Foregrounding
Dr Eric Langley, Shakespeare in Plague Time
Dr Hugh Stevens, D. H. Lawrence, Bavarian Gentians
Dr Matthew Sperling, T. S. Eliot, The Waste Land
Student Testimonials
"My time at UCL was transformative. The Department taught me that English is not just about books: it's a way of looking at the world. Studying Literature is about making connections, and, among other things, demands an understanding of history, science, philosophy, visual art, politics and culture. The course grounds you in all these disciplines. As a result, one leaves UCL prepared to tackle any challenge. The staff are brilliant, as is the one-to-one tutorial system. I will be forever grateful to the UCL English Department in general, and my third-year tutor in particular. Studying English Lit at UCL gives you so much more than just a degree". Anna Lamche (BA English Graduate)
“I would highly recommend the English course at UCL. I felt it perfectly combined a broad stretch of literary history with the opportunity to focus on whichever particular time period or author took my fancy, all through the excellent teaching of the English faculty.” John Peatfield (BA English Graduate)
The Tutorial System
This ability to tailor the syllabus around a student's academic interests is most apparent in our tutorial system. UCL English is the only university that teaches English undergraduates one-to-one: something which our students regularly say is the single most important factor in their academic development across their degree, as well as the most enjoyable.
All students are given a tutor in the first year, a different one in the second year, and another in the third year. You will write essays in preparation for fortnightly meetings with your tutor, in which your work will be discussed and your ideas challenged: this is designed partly to improve your writing and prepare you for exams, but also to enable students to research topics for their essays which are of particular interest to them (as long as these fall broadly within the confines of the papers a student is taking that year). The tutorial is thus not only an unrivalled opportunity for one-to-one supervision of your work, but a chance for individuals to pursue personal research ideas, guided by their tutor.
Other Courses with English available for Undergraduate Students
Further Information
For information about what the department looks for in a strong UCAS application to all of our BA English programmes and information about the assessment and interview process, please see our Application Process webpage or email Natasha Clark
