English Literature
Our English Literature degree consistently achieves some of the highest student satisfaction scores in the UK. In the 2024 National Student Survey we achieved 95% satisfaction for teaching, 100% for academic support, 100% for organization and management, and 93% for learning resources; in 2023 we achieved 100% for teaching, 96% for academic support, 93% for organization and management, and 96% for learning resources. Our course is ranked in the top 20% of English degrees in the UK, and joint-best English degree in the North West (The Times UK University Rankings 2025). In 2025 we won the award for 'Outstanding Course Team' at the JMSU Student Experience Awards.
Our department is housed in the historic, Grade II listed John Foster Building, on LJMU’s Mount Pleasant Campus, next door to our Library and a short walk from the award-winning Student Life Building. We offer a portfolio of fascinating modules across a range of programmes, including:
- BA in English Literature
- BA in English and Creative Writing
- BA in History and English Literature
- BA in English, Media and Cultural Studies
- MA in English Literature
We also supervise PhD projects. Our definition of ‘literature’ is broad, and our range of option modules allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests, whilst also gaining a thorough knowledge of literary history, theory, and criticism. You will study fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and theory, but you will also have opportunities to study less traditional texts such as (for example) film adaptations, popular music, working-class life-writing, travel writing, slave narratives, and protest literature.
Crucially, all of our modules are designed and taught by full-time lecturers who are both dedicated teachers and cutting-edge scholars. Our department members lead ground-breaking research projects, publish peer-reviewed books and journal articles, write for national newspapers, and appear on local and national radio and television. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) more than half of our research outputs, and two thirds of our impact case studies, received the highest possible rating of four stars. This means that the majority of our research has been deemed 'world-leading in originality, significance and rigour'. Our overall REF score was the third highest in LJMU, and our score for research impact was the highest in the University. Our Personal Tutoring scheme means that every student receives continuous support from a permanent member of staff throughout their degree, and we pride ourselves on our friendly and supportive relationship with our students.
Exciting work experience and travel opportunities are an integral part of our degree programme. For example, on one of our optional second-year modules we take students on a field trip to Venice, with flights and accommodation paid for by LJMU. If you choose our English Work Experience option module, you will have opportunities to gain valuable work-based experience and skills in (for example) teaching, charities, or the media and creative industries; we work with local cultural partners such as the Tate, the Everyman and Playhouse theatres, and FACT, as well as local businesses and schools. LJMU's Study Abroad Programme gives you the option of spending a semester or a whole year studying internationally for credit towards your degree. If you choose not to travel, however, the wide range of literature you will study in English and in translation will still broaden the horizons of your world.
