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UCAS code Q3W4
This course combines modules from our established English Literature programme with more specialised study of Drama. Your learning experience will be enhanced by our collaborative relationships with two local theatres – the Everyman & Playhouse and Shakespeare North – and the involvement of theatre practitioners, which offers valuable practical experiences to students.
The course content on these pages is for 2026 entry. The University is currently reviewing its programmes for 2027 entry. Course listings for students beginning in September 2027 will be published on our website before our Open Days on June 19 and 20. Please note, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Alongside the diverse and engaging modules available on the BA English Literature programme, you will have the opportunity to explore dramatic texts from a wide range of eras, culture and genres, thinking about the texts in terms of ‘close reading’ their literary styles and techniques, as well as thinking about the wider social and historical contexts of their creation and performance.
The programme seeks to explore critical responses to drama as a form, from Aristotle’s ‘Poetics’ to currently emerging research and writing, placing the primary reading material in discourse with text and performance theory. You will be encouraged to think beyond the words on the page to their wider lives and meanings in performance, politics, and humanity throughout history.
As you progress, there will be opportunities to focus more closely on specific eras of dramatic history and context and genre, including the advent of public theatre in the sixteenth century, global drama, contemporary playwrights, and writing for radio. You will have opportunities to create original writing for stage and screen, and to engage with theatre practitioners through workshops, Q&A sessions and theatre visits.
This programme is available with an optional year in industry. If you choose this option, year three is spent on a paid placement within an organisation in industry, broadly defined. You will be supported by the School of the Arts and the Department throughout, and your reflexive written account of the experience will contribute towards your final degree result. If you wish to study this programme with a year in industry, please put the option code ‘YI’ in the ‘further choices’ section of your UCAS application form.
We are pleased to offer two attainment scholarships per year to undergraduate students from the UK. The scholarships will cover the entire UK tuition fee for both years two and three (currently £9,250 per annum). Awards will be made by the department at the end of year one, based on performance.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Your first year will be composed entirely of compulsory modules, which will establish the foundations for the rest of your studies.
In each year, you will study 120 credits, 30 credits of which will be made up of specific drama modules.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| CLOSE READING (ENGL103) | 15 |
| LITERATURE AND PLACE: CITY, COUNTRY, PLANET (ENGL102) | 30 |
| LITERATURE IN TIME (ENGL117) | 30 |
| READING DRAMA (ENGL119) | 15 |
| THEORISING THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE (ENGL104) | 15 |
| WAYS OF READING (ENGL113) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You will take entirely optional modules. The Literature modules are designed to provide an overview of the major periods and/or genres of literary history.
There may be some restrictions on which modules can be taken in conjunction with others, which will be explained during module registration.
If you are taking the Year in Industry pathway, you will be required to take SOTA260.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Your final year modules will consist of a range of options.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You will experience a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, with no modules being taught entirely through lectures. Alongside independent study and research, some modules require timetabled student group work. We provide an online programme of study skills to help with the necessary standards of referencing and presentation in written work. Tutorials allow for discussion of key readings, concepts and ideas, typically in groups of up to nine students.
Seminar groups are larger, but do not normally exceed 18; they usually last for between one and a half to two hours. Workshops are similar in size but have a more distinct practical element (eg in drama or language modules). In addition, in your second and final years, you will participate to a greater or lesser extent in a range of other formative activities: seminar presentations, creative writing and peer teaching.
The main modes of assessment are through a combination of essay and examination, but depending on the modules taken you may encounter project work, presentations (individual or group), and portfolios of creative work or specific tests focused on editing, translation or etymological tasks.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
Learn more about year in industry
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
The Department of English is based in the School of the Arts, although teaching will take place across the campus. We are committed to small group teaching, which encourages a more rewarding learning experience, where ideas are shared and explored with your peers and tutors. You’ll have access to extensive library facilities, special collections and Liverpool’s renowned museums, libraries and galleries.
A day in the life of English student Scarlett Wager-Leigh.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
The staff are the best thing about the English department. They’re enthusiastic, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable about their fields.
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
What’s it like to Study English at Liverpool? A conversation between Alex Carabine and Dr Natalie Hanna.
As a student in the School of the Arts, you will be supported to maximise your employability from day one. Our English degree programmes are valued by employers who recognise the skills our students develop, including teamwork, project design, critical thinking, proficiency in text analysis and communication and presentation skills.
The School has its own Placements and Employability Officer, and you will have the opportunity to undertake a semester-long work placement or a year in industry. We offer a popular poetry publishing placement through the SOTA300 work experience module, and you can read about the experiences of students who have undertaken this placement – and since found employment in the publishing industry – here.
Many graduates move on to have careers in the arts, the media, publishing, marketing, events, and project management, working for employers like:
Hear what graduates say about their career progression and life after university.
The main reason I had an amazing time was that I made some wonderful friends, some I am still very close to now. My course opened my eyes to so many novels and plays and texts that I would never have read otherwise. And that’s one of the points about university.
With an English degree, I learnt to read and absorb information quickly, understand the impact of creative writing on an audience and developed a fine attention to detail, all of which helped me when starting out as a journalist and then as I moved into PR.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £9,790
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £1,465 (applies to year in China)
Full-time place, per year - £27,000
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £13,500 (applies to year in China)
The fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.
If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.
Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.
Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.
If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
ABB including English (Language, Literature or Language and Literature) at grade A. |
| T levels |
T levels are not currently accepted. |
| GCSE |
4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | Applications considered. BTEC in a humanities-related subject plus A level English at grade A required |
| International Baccalaureate | 32 points overall with no score less than 4 and including 6 in Higher Level English or pass the IB Diploma plus 6,5,5 in 3 HL subjects including 6 in Higher Level English. |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 with H1 in English |
| Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher | Scottish Advanced Highers of ABB with English Grade A. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced | B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus AB at A level to include English at grade A. |
| Access | Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma (Humanities/Social Science) with 45 Level 3 credits with 33 at Distinction (including all English credits) and 12 at Merit. |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 4.5 overall, with 4 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 60 |
| Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 | Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate. |
| Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 | Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening |
| Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 | 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall. |
| Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 | 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall. |
| Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced | 176 overall, with no paper below 162 |
| International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature | Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level |
| International Baccalaureate English B | Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus or online |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component at 5.0 | 10 weeks | On campus or online |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | Online |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component at 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 5 February 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions