Whether you explore post-colonial literature or debate the ‘Arab Spring’, our BA English and International Relations degree lets you explore the world from different perspectives.
Our students examine some of the world’s most pressing problems as they are represented in literary works and as they are analysed through the study of International Relations, a specialist area of politics.
In your English literature modules, you will read more of authors and genres that you may already know (from tragedy to Gothic, from Shakespeare and Dickens to Plath and Beckett). But you will also encounter aspects of literary studies that may be less familiar to you, from children’s literature to publishing studies and the history of the book. Our academics have published research on everything from medieval poetry to contemporary Caribbean and American fiction. As you progress through your degree, your module choices become more diverse and specialised: you can do archive work on Studying Manuscripts, or look at the politics of literature in Class Matters. Everyone in our department, from new lecturers to professors, teaches at every level of the degree: this gives you the benefit of our expertise and makes you part of the conversation about our research and its impact outside the classroom.
In international relations, you will learn how to apply political theories and techniques to the issues that make news headlines across the globe. You will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topical issues such as European political integration, international terrorism, and politics in the Middle East. In certain modules, you will have the opportunity to take part in United Nations and Middle East simulations and gain an insight into the political process. You can also take part in other activities that are related to the subject, such as the Department of Politics and International Relations' weekly politics radio show and learn other useful skills such as presenting and audio editing.
We place a strong emphasis on small group learning within a friendly and supportive environment. In your first and second years, you will have a mix of lectures (which can be quite large) and seminars. We believe that the study of English literature and international relations is a discursive process in which we learn by sharing our ideas, and so we are determined to keep class sizes small enough so that everyone feels able to contribute. We provide detailed and thorough feedback on your written work within 15 working days: this is crucial to your development as someone whose career will involve the writing of clear and persuasive documents.
As an English literature graduate, you will enter the job market with highly developed research and communication skills; you will know how to access reliable information on any topic and how to present your findings in clear and persuasive language: these are valuable skills in today’s economy, where information and communication skills are vital. You will have the critical and cultural awareness necessary for working in the public sector and the media. Some of our students decide to continue their studies at postgraduate level; others have successful careers in fields as diverse as law, business administration, web-design, teaching and journalism. Overall, 95% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course [1]. Past graduates have gone on to work for employers such as the BBC, The Telegraph, Oxford University Press, Waterstones, Cisco Systems and the Royal Mint, as well as local authorities and schools.
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree and other undergraduate responders from English Literature.
Course Details - Modules
Sample modules may include:
* Genre and Context
* Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
* Introduction to Political Ideas
* Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies
* Research and Criticism
Check our website for more information about the course structure.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January 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.
Application Codes
Course code:
LQF3
Institution code:
R12
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BCC including A level English Literature or a related subject at grade B.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
Full list of acceptable English Language Tests
http://www.reading.ac.uk/ad-EnglishTests.aspx
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
89%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
90%
Go onto work and study:
95%
Fees and funding
England
9250.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Scotland
9250.0
Year 1
Wales
9250.0
Year 1
Channel Islands
9250.0
Year 1
Republic of Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
EU
19500.0
Year 1
International
19500.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
Additional Fee Information are not listed for this Course.
Provider information
Whiteknights House
PO Box 217
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Reading
RG6 6AH
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