Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - English Literature

Students will engage in topical discussions about how books empower people to tell their own stories, and how they help people redefine notions of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, class and other markers of identity.

Students will study on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the rich cultural history of the city within touching distance. Famous as the eponymous destination for Chaucer’s pilgrims, Canterbury was an exceptional medieval centre of learning and the birthplace of extraordinary early modern writers such as Christopher Marlowe and Aphra Behn.

A location for Dickens' novels and the resting place of Joseph Conrad, the city's vibrant literary culture lives on in its championing of contemporary writers, film and theatre in events such as the Canterbury Festival.

Students will have the chance to explore Kent’s literary heritage in digital projects and get involved with the wide-ranging work of the Centre for Kent History and Heritage. Access to unique books and manuscripts at Canterbury Cathedral and in the special collections of the International Centre for Victorian Women Writers at Canterbury Christ Church offer exciting opportunities for original research projects.

The strong links with the heritage sector and community projects also provide placement and volunteering opportunities where students can put their communication, critical thinking and research skills into practice and prepare for graduate employment.