18May
UndergraduateCourse summary
Our English degree gives you the opportunity to develop the critical and verbal skills needed for confident, effective reading of literary texts and criticism. It develops your core skills in analytical and imaginative reading and writing and places a strong emphasis on social and cultural diversity. The flexible programme allows you to choose topics related to American literature and culture, comparisons of literature across different cultures and art forms (also known as Comparative Literature), and study all aspects of language use in linguistics modules. Throughout, your literary studies will be complemented by a series of lectures and activity-based seminars which will help you develop and consolidate your practical academic skills and research techniques. Why study BA English at Goldsmiths?
- We’re not just focused on the classics. You’ll leave us with a solid understanding of key literary texts, but you’ll also have the chance to look at less traditional subjects including surrealism, Hollywood cinema, fairy tales, and writing by migrants and refugees.
- We’re inclusive. We embrace literature from a variety of cultures, giving you the chance to study writing from America, Europe and the Caribbean.
- We also offer modules on the study of authentic language use in a range of everyday, professional and media communication, exploring topics such as language and gender, raciolinguistics, digital media discourse, language learning and teaching, attitudes to (non)standard language use, political correctness and the linguistic construction of identities.
- Our option modules offer a historical view of writing, and also let you specialise in areas of interest, including thematic and genre-based approaches to literature, comparative analysis, and literary theory.
- From historic theatres to obscure bookshops, London is a constant source of literary inspiration – and it’s right on your doorstep.
- There are countless ways to get involved in English outside of your studies, whether you want to join the English and Creative Writing societies or hone your writing skills on [smiths] magazine and The Leopard newspaper.
Course details
Modules
Year 1 In your first year, you will take the following compulsory modules. Explorations in Literature Approaches to Text Introduction to Poetry The Short Story You will also choose two of the following option modules: Introduction to US Literature and Culture Introduction to Comparative Literature Understanding Language in Use Year 2 In your second year, you will study the following compulsory module Literature and Power in the Victorian Period You will also choose three modules (totalling 90 credits) from a range characterised by wide literary, historical, and contextual scope, of which at least one must encompass pre-1800 literature. Modules may vary from year to year, but recent modules have included: Drama and Transgression: From Prometheus to Faust Inventing the Nation: American Literature in the mid-19th Century Literary London, 1800 to 1900 Literature of the Later Middle Ages: Society and the Individual Moderns Old English Post-Victorian English Literature 18th-Century Literature Sensibility and Romanticism: Revolutions in Writing and Society Shakespeare Sociolinguistics: Language use, Variation, and Identity Contemporary Arab Migrant Writing Aspects of the Novel Work Placement (English) Discourse and Society (Re)writing America: from the nineteenth century to the present day Language Learning Language Teaching Year 3 You choose modules to the value of 90 credits. You also complete a 6,000-8,000-word Dissertation (30 credits) on a topic of your choice. A pass in this module is compulsory for the award of the degree. Modules may vary from year to year, but recent examples have included: Caribbean Women Writers Creating the Text Decadence The Emergence of Modern America: American Literature 1890–1940 Approaches to Language and the Media Modern American Fiction Modern Poetry Modernism & Drama (1880-1930) The Art of the Novel Oedipus: Myths, Tragedies and Theories Postcolonial Literatures in English Studies in Literature and Film Renaissance Worlds Narratives of the Great War (1923-1933) Work Placement (English) Professional Communication Word Power: How words are born, live and die Language and Gender Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Assessment method
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects.
How to apply
15Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | With a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 |
Unistats information
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
To find out more about fees and funding, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office https://www.gold.ac.uk/ug/fees-funding/
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW