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English Literature with a Foundation Year at Swansea University - UCAS

Swansea University

Degree level: Undergraduate

English Literature with a Foundation Year

Course options

Course summary

English Literature is one of the most diverse, stimulating and challenging disciplines we offer and studying this four-year BA with a Foundation Year cultivates sensitivity towards language and opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by helping you to develop transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers. The Foundation Year gives you an exciting introduction to Higher Education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful on your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after Further Education or are returning to education after a gap. After progression from the foundation year, you will have the chance to explore over a thousand years of literature, from Beowulf to the present day. Our course covers national and global literature including Renaissance literature, Gothic and genre fiction, 19th century literature and contemporary fiction. Other topics include gender and culture, creative and professional writing. You will have the chance to spend a semester studying in the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong or Singapore, further improving your student experience and career prospects. Why English Literature with a Foundation Year at Swansea? English at Swansea is ranked:

  • 11th in the UK for Research Impact (REF2021)
  • Top 20 in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
  • Top 101-150 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
You will learn from experienced, established writers whose work has been widely published, broadcast and performed and our academic staff are internationally recognised for their research. Your English Literature with a Foundation Year Experience Our BA (Hons) English Literature with Foundation Year degree will give you an exciting introduction to higher education and is part of a four-year undergraduate integrated degree. You will learn how to improve your oral and writing skills, investigate and obtain information, present your ideas in a range of formats, solve problems and make informed decisions.During your Foundation Year, you will learn the key skills you’ll need to make your degree a success while developing knowledge of your subject area and how it relates to the humanities and social sciences. You will start the degree course in your second year and can shape your studies to your interests. Our varied and flexible course content covers national and global literatures, gender and culture, Renaissance literature, Gothic and genre fiction, 19th century literature through to modernity and contemporary writing as well as creative and professional writing. On our English and Creative Writing degree you will learn a range of writing skills to equip you for a career as a writer, including novels, plays, poetry, film scripts, and non-fiction. You will explore a range of styles and genres, as well as studying the history, traditions and theory of English Literature. You will also have the option of a semester in the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong or Singapore. You will also have a personal tutor for any pastoral and academic support you may need, and the English Student Society at Swansea organises a range of literary, social and cultural events. Wales has a rich lyric tradition and Swansea is the birthplace of Dylan Thomas. You could also get involved with projects with the Dylan Thomas Centre and the National Theatre Wales. Please visit our course page for more information. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/english-literature-creative-writing/ba-english-literature-foundation-year/

Modules

Typically, in your first year ( foundation year - Year 0) you will explore what it means to be human – studying a range of humanities and social science topics to prepare you for the degree itself. When you move on to the degree, your early studies will introduce you to English Literature, as well as writing styles and genres. Typically your first year will include a mixture of compulsory and optional modules. Examples of modules from recent years have included: • Monsters, Theories, Transformations • English Essentials • The Stage Play World Typically your second and third years will comprise modules from a large range of subject areas. Examples of modules in recent years have included: • Contentious Shakespeare • Revolution of the Word: Modernism • Welsh Gothic / Gothic Wales Your final year will also include an optional independent dissertation project. For the full programme structure and module breakdown, please visit our webpage at: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/english-literature-creative-writing/ba-english-literature-foundation-year/

Assessment method

We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include: • Presentations • Group Work • Original Writing Throughout your undergraduate English Literature degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. For full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/english-literature-creative-writing/ba-english-literature/ or get in touch with us at [email protected]


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
Q302
Institution code:
S93
Campus name:
Singleton Park Campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

International applicants should refer to The College, Swansea University http://www.swansea.ac.uk/the-college/

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Entry requirements are flexible and all offers are made following a review of the application form, predicted/achieved grades and subjects, the reference and personal statement.


English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.

English Language Requirements at Swansea University

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
54%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
82%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For the latest fee information, please check the individual course page on our website. Our full range of programmes are listed here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/ Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/
English Literature with a Foundation Year at Swansea University - UCAS