English - BA (Hons)

At Nottingham, we go beyond a love of books. Whether you’re charmed by Chaucer, ardent about Austen, or you love the idea of a linguistics laboratory, our wide range of optional modules means you’ll have chance to explore English in ways you’ve never encountered before.  Consider canon and convention; intersectionality; variation, change and adaptation, and the impact of texts in society. Specialise in authors or genres, or the applications of texts in various settings.   You’ll build from a starting point in applied linguistics, drama, and literature from medieval times to the present day, exploring what it is to be human through the historical, cultural and social contexts of a text.  There are options to develop your creative writing in either fiction or poetry, learning from expert staff who are published poets and authors themselves. You will also develop in-demand transferable skills in teamwork, presentation, and reflection - qualities highly valued by employers. Think you know ‘English’ Think again. You will tailor your degree to suit your interests through our wide range of optional modules, in everything from Vikings to creative writing, Shakespeare to contemporary fiction, and a whole range of approaches to language. Discover new passions as you explore the many disciplines of ‘English’ at Nottingham. You will also sharpen your critical thinking skills as you evaluate evidence, encounter a variety of approaches and methodologies, and undergo independent research. Our students are storytellers, writers, performers, poets, critics, analysts, archivists and presenters. This is English at Nottingham. "Reflecting on my time as an English student, a large part of my enjoyment has come from exposure to an array of diverse literature. From Old English elegies, to gothic comics, to creative writing, I’ve certainly not been short on options." Mia Gazza, BA English ### Course highlights Choose modules from the full breadth of English - medieval to modern literature, drama and linguistics - and tailor your degree in years two and three. You can also learn a language through [optional Language Centre modules](https:www.nottingham.ac.uklanguage-centremodules-for-current-studentsmodules-for-current-students.aspx "Language Centre offer"). Unleash your creativity in a [UNESCO City of Literature](https:www.nottingham.ac.ukartsresearchcivic-partnershipscivic-partnerships.aspx "Civic partnerships in Nottingham"), with opportunities both on campus and in the city. Boost your media skills with the Students' Union award-winning broadcast and print groups, [NSTV,](https:www.facebook.comnstvofficial "NSTV facebook group") [URN](https:urn1350.co.uk "URN homepage"), and [Impact Magazine](https:impactnottingham.com "Impact Magazine homepage"), and your publishing skills with the opportunity to apply for [The Letters Page project](https:www.nottingham.ac.ukstudywithusugstudyarticlesexplore-more-articlesartthe-letters-page-overview.html "Letters Page website"). ### Proven results We’re ranked 8th in the UK for English in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 2nd in the UK for creative writing in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. The average starting salary for English undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £27,023 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 202223).