Course summary

English at Birmingham City University is a subject that encompasses the study of literature, language, drama and creative writing. Ours is a community where each individual is empowered to shape their learning, research and practice in creative, innovative and thought-provoking ways. We are ambitious in our creative and critical practice, in challenging convention and in developing an inclusive curriculum that reflects the distinctiveness of every student. If you enjoy all aspects of English study and want maximum flexibility to shape your degree and develop your own areas of interest and expertise, this course is ideal for you. In your first year you’ll gain a strong grounding in all areas of English study and then start to use this knowledge to build a degree which most suits your emerging talents. Along the way you’ll benefit from being a part of a vibrant community of staff and students who understand the impact that English has made and continues to have on regional, national and global cultures. Our teaching is student-focused and research-led, and learning takes place in a friendly and supportive environment. You will be taught by expert researchers and practitioners who foster a community of experimentation, innovation and inclusion which will allow you to flourish and grow. Not only will this degree equip you with a strong subject knowledge, but it will also allow you to develop key transferable skills which are highly prized by a range of employers. English Literature pathway Our literature degree takes you from the origins of traditional literary forms and ideas to the most contemporary issues facing societies and cultures today. You have the flexibility to pursue your own personal interests, from Shakespeare’s plays, Gothic stories, and the contemporary novel, to creative writing for the screen and teaching English as a foreign language. We embrace the full breadth of English studies to cover aspects of history, politics, philosophy, psychology and sociology, to truly enrich our students’ perspectives. You will gain valuable work experience and develop sought-after transferable skills as a problem-solver, critical thinker, adept communicator, and versatile writer – and you will learn how the power of storytelling and the impact of language profoundly affect people and the world around us.