BA (Hons) English

This modern degree leads to a range of career paths. Differing from traditional approaches to English, you’ll study and analyse literary texts within the context of the media and learn to write creatively and professionally for a variety of audiences.

UCAS Code:
Q300
Institution:
B50
Delivery:
Full time according to Funding Council definitions

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Why study English at BU?

Tailor your degree including options to study both creative or traditional units and discover the latest developments in digital media and new media storytelling.
Showcase your writing to industry professionals through BU's annual Fresher Writing Prize and New Media Writing Prize competitions
Put theory into practice during a four-week or 30-week placement with organisations such as Penguin Books, BBC, Pinewood Studios, Touch Press and the Football Foundation
Develop a range of subject-specific and transferable skills which can open the door to an exciting range of career possibilities or further study
Benefit from industry speakers sharing their writing experiences – previous guests include Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Stella Wisdom from the British Library
This course received an impressive 96% satisfaction rating from our final year students.

Find out more about the content of this course.

For September 2022 entry: in order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry, to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page in August 2021 to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.

Your degree, your choice

You’ll be able to choose from our list of units, picking a topic in each year that particularly appeals to you, and curating your own personal journey and skillset. If your passion is creative writing, you’ll get the chance to choose options related to this field, that give you a taste of what writing professionally would be like.

Explore campus life and student work

Image description — Talbot Campus is where you'll find facilities such as The Sir Michael Cobham Library, the Student Centre (where our Students' Union offices are based), the £22 million Fusion Building and the brand new Poole Gateway Building

Next start date:

September 2021, September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

3 years full-time with a 4-week placement, or 4 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. For more information check out our f ull entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in writing or reading and 5.5 in all other components, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Course details

On this course you will usually be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed by coursework culminating in your final year research project, and you will also undertake group work and written exams. The assessment methods for each unit can be found in the programme specification for your course.

Download the programme specification (pdf 305kb)

Year 1

Core units

Media & Society: This unit looks into the core mass communication media such as newspapers, radio, TV and the internet with particular emphasis on Public Service Broadcasting, regulation, globalisation and the relationship between politicians/government and the media.
Adaptation: Here you’ll focus on key theoretical perspectives and debates. Case studies will include adaptations from across a wide range of media, including film, television, comic books and the internet, and encompassing both classic and popular texts.
Academic & Writing Skills: Introducing you to the practical skills of academic study, ensuring you make a smooth transition to Higher Education. You will also begin to develop high level skills in academic writing, journalistic and creative writing, this unit emphasises the differences between audiences and appropriate types of writing.
Language Matters: This unit examines attitudes and approaches towards styles of English, and the various uses of language in everyday situations and contexts, across a range of media uses.
Forms & Contexts: Introducing you to the main literary forms of fiction, drama, and poetry, and associated critical perspectives. You will understand how literature is influenced by its historical, social, and cultural context.
Approaches to Literature: You will learn the different methods and critical approaches required for the study of literature at degree level. You will gain a thorough underpinning of the skills and attributes required when studying a greater range of literary texts throughout your three years.

Year 2

Core units

Modernism & Postmodernism: Through a selection of texts, you’ll explore two of the major literary and artistic movements in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, as well as their historical and cultural perspectives and influences.
Gender & Sexuality: In this unit, representations of gender and sexuality will be considered in examples of novels, plays and other writing from the last 200 years.
Children’s Literature: This unit examines the relationship between narrative form and content, and the literary, social and cultural context in which children’s literature has been produced.
Narrative Structures: You’ll develop analysis and evaluations of a variety of contemporary narrative texts from sources such as film, television, journalism, magazines, the internet and prose fiction.
Writing for the Media: This unit aims to strengthen your professional writing abilities and to develop your understanding of the formats and conventions employed in writing for a range of media.

Option units (choose one)

Popular Texts & Intertexts: Texts from across popular media including literary, cinematic, televisual and graphic genres will be examined.
Media: Messages & Meanings: This unit examines how messages are constructed, conveyed and received over a range of media and by different audiences.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Placement year

Final year

Core units

Dissertation: You’ll undertake original and independent research to produce a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic or problem of your choice, using a discursive approach.

Option units (choose four)

News & Journalism: This unit seeks to provide you with a critical perspective on journalistic outputs and the ability to report and produce news and other forms of journalism in a digital world.
Writing, Editing & Publishing: A practical unit which combines study of publishing processes and practices with creative writing.
Fact & Fiction: This unit explores the diverse panorama of non-fiction works produced in the realm of literary, or narrative, journalism. It will analyse ethical issues such as objectivity, accuracy, and the social and historical context of the genre over the centuries.
New Media Narrative: You’ll examine the evolution of narrative forms in relation to the development of digital media, especially exploring non-linear and interactive narratives.
Crime & Terror: Studying the development of crime and gothic literature over the last 200 years, this unit will explore the cultural and historical context of the genre with reference to a range of critical approaches.
Post-Colonial Texts: Exploring the ways in which the legacy of colonialism has impacted on writing and other cultural forms, the unit will consider key issues raised in postcolonial discourse while also interrogating some of the very terms on which those issues are debated.
Alternate Worlds: This unit considers the uses of alternate worlds as motifs and narrative strategies in the development of both classic and contemporary literature. Ancient literature, Jacobean drama, utopian and dystopian visions, science fiction and fantasy are among the genres discussed.
Transient Literature & Serial Storytelling: You will explore relationships between storytelling and the publishing formats and media used to deliver those stories. Through the study of key texts and critical perspectives you will consider how elements of materiality such as serialisation and format effectively coordinate with market, audience and content.
Space, Place & Environment: This unit focuses on critical representations of space, place and environment in literature and culture from industrialisation to the present. You will explore the significance of space and the environment in relation to diverse yet connected topics such as globalisation, personal, social and national identity, politics and policy, global transmission of literatures, literary tourism, conservation, biophilia and urban regeneration.
Media & Trauma: This unit aims to explore critical and cultural responses to traumatic experience and death across a range of media or texts from print and broadcast journalism to filmic and literary representation. The unit will focus on how trauma is interpreted, recorded, represented, constructed and produced across a range of media and in a variety of social, professional and medical contexts.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

The emphasis of this course is in guided independent learning, which helps you develop into a self-motivated learner. When not attending lectures and seminars, you will be expected to read around the subject.

Your typical week’s activities will include reading books and journal articles, working on group projects, preparing presentations, conducting library research and writing your assignments. The hours below give an indication of how you can expect to spend your time during each year of this course.

Year 1 – 18% of your time will be spent in timetabled learning & teaching activities

Learning and teaching: 206 hours
Independent learning: 994 hours

Year 2 – 19% of your time will be spent in timetabled learning & teaching activities

Learning and teaching: 208 hours
Independent learning: 992 hours

Year 3/4 – 13% of your time will be spent in timetabled learning & teaching activities

Learning and teaching: 115 hours
Independent learning: 1045 hours.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University’s taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Writing competitions

Studying English at BU gives you various opportunities to test yourself and your development with writing competitions.

New Media Writing Prize

Fresher Publishing

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career. That’s why we offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.

You could even choose to undertake your placement abroad, giving you the opportunity to develop yourself personally, academically, and professionally and gain skills to help you stand out in the job market.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placements All you need to know about placements

How placements benefit you

A placement should be a highly rewarding experience for you and the employing company and we do our best to ensure that everyone involved feels that they have got the most that they can from the experience.

The benefits to you as a placement student are many. You will have the chance to:

Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider
Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

How long will your placement be?

Help and support

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Coordinator.

They’ll help you plan your placement so make sure you get the right experience for you. That includes offering help and support if you need to move to another part of the UK – and even another country – to get the most out of your time.

We’ve also built close industry links over the years – so our network of employers that are keen to work with placement students is always growing. Or if you’d prefer to arrange your placement independently, we can offer advice on how to do that too.

Our placement students have previously worked with

Your application

For this course, we are looking for applicants who can:

Demonstrate both intellectual and creative abilities
Work well within a team as well as individually
Demonstrate good presentation skills
Enjoy reading a variety of texts including literature and newspapers.

Students must be able to demonstrate an interest in media including television and newspapers, and have a broad knowledge of how the media industry works. Overall students must have a strong creative ability and have an interest in writing.

Students must have basic computer literacy, including knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

How to apply

Selection methods

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our offer making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Entry requirements

We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

We have outlined our entry requirements below using the most common qualifications that we consider for this course. If your qualification is not on the UCAS tariff or listed below, please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team who can advise accordingly. You can also find out more about how we consider your application in our offer-making process section.

For September 2021 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

Numeracy and Literacy requirement: GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all the equivalencies.

A-level and AS levels: 104 – 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels.

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Access to HE Diploma: 102 – 118 UCAS tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.

BTEC National:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.

Cambridge Technical:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Introductory Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Extended Project Qualification: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

International Baccalaureate Certificates: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.

International Baccalaureate (Diploma): An overall score of 28 - 31 points.

Scottish Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.

Scottish Advanced Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, you can request a deferral by contacting our Admissions Team.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2021 entry:

Диплома за средно образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) or Диплома за средно специално образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Specialised Education). Minimum score of 4.5
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma with required scores (4,3,3 to 4,5,5. Minimum 4 in English required)
Italian Esame di Stato[AB1] with minimum 60%+
Spanish Curso de Orientaciòn Universitaria (COU) prior to 2009 or if you hold a Titulo De Bachillerato awarded from 2009 onwards with a minimum of 6/10+
USA High School Diploma with minimum GPA 3.0 plus SAT Reasoning (1200) or ACT (24-26).

We offer a number of preparatory programmes through Bournemouth University International College. These courses offer you progression from High School in your home country to a Bachelor’s degree at BU.

Options include:

Foundation Certificate for Media & Communications
International Year One in Media & Communications (for September 2020 entry)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Careers

As this degree focuses on studying English in the context of the media, you will not only study literary texts, but will also have the chance to develop your own writing skills in both a factual and creative setting. The diverse nature of this course means you'll be in a position to work in a range of industries, and will be particularly well-suited to roles where communication is key.

90% of our students are working or studying 15 months after graduating, with 80% in professional/ managerial positions.

Careers advice, resources, events and job opportunities

Typical starting job roles

There are a wide range of careers open to you once you graduate, including:

Content editor
Freelance writer and video producer
Marketing and PR executive
English teacher
Underwriter

Typical sectors you might choose to work in include marketing, digital media, education and media publishing.

However, the skills you’ll develop on the course will be valuable across a broad range of contexts – so you could find yourself working for businesses or organisations involved in a variety of industries.

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section.

That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement.
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Laptops, tablets and mobile devices.
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website.
Travel costs, outdoor wear and footwear for optional field trips.
Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement.
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
Sport BU membership

Repeat units

Help and support

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Roy Watson - Programme leader

Roy is a Lecturer in English and Communications, and has taught at a number of universities and colleges alongside a career in senior education management, from which he has recently returned. Roy has worked at Bournemouth University since 2015, and has published on Robert Lowell, psychoanalytic criticism, and ethics in Business. Papers/sessions at conferences include those on Psychoanalysis and Robert Lowell, writing on tablecloths (really) and Jimi Hendrix.

Roy is the Programme Leader for BA English. He is interested in supervising research in many areas of modern and contemporary British and American literature, especially projects that explore the construction of self and the emerging field of autofiction.

View Roy Watson's staff profile

Course changes

Changes in 2019

Date	Changes to this course
13/08/19	Where the change was made: International entry requirements Change: 2020 IELTS requirements updated Previous text: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in writing or reading and 5.5 in all other components, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Changes in 2018

Date	Changes to this course
19/09/2018	Where the change was made: 2019 entry requirements Change: The 2019 entry requirements have been adjusted Previous text: The entry requirements for this course are 112 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.

Changes in 2017

Date	Changes to this course
14/11/2017	Where the change was made: Fees Change: After an annual review of the placement year tuition fee, a price increase in line with current inflation, equating to 3% has been introduced. Previous text: £790
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: Key facts and 2018 entry requirements Change: 2018 entry requirements have changed to 112 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. Previous text: The entry requirements for this course are 120-120 tariff points from 3 A-levels.
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: 2018 entry requirements Change: 2018 GCSE entry requirements have changed to This course requires GCSE English and Mathematics grade C (or grade 4 in the reformed GCSE grading) or equivalent qualifications. Previous text: This course requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs grades A* - C (or grade 4 or above in the newly reformed GCSE grading) including Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: Key facts and 2018 entry requirements Change: This course no longer requires any required subjects. Previous text: English Literature or combined English Literature/Language A-level (or equivalent). If you are not studying one of these subjects please contact the Admissions Team.

What our students say

Louise Jones

I received offers to write and was offered literary representation during my first year. I am now signed to Rogers, Coleridge & White and writing my first novel.

Hear from our staff

Jim Pope

Witness the success of our graduates in a wide range of professions such as publishing, journalism, PR, advertising, marketing, management and teaching.

What our graduates think

Maddie Saunders

As well as traditional literature-focused ones I had modules on news journalism, media, blogging, digital narrative and coms helping to give a broad view.

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

BA (Hons) English

Course search

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Why study English at BU?

Your degree, your choice

Explore campus life and student work

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Related courses

Read our students’ perspectives

Why study English at BU?

Studying English at BU, is it for you?

My placement year at Debenhams

Take on extracurricular opportunities

BU students cover 2019 general election

New Media Writing Prize and VR exhibition held at BU

BU students attend International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS) event in South Africa

Course details

How you will be assessed

Year 1

Year 2

Placement year

Final year

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

Programme specification

Writing competitions

New Media Writing Prize

Fresher Publishing

Placements

How placements benefit you

How long will your placement be?

Help and support

Our placement students have previously worked with

Your application

Selection methods

How we assess your application

Our offer making process

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

International entry requirements

Careers

Typical starting job roles

Further study

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Repeat units

Help and support

Our staff

Roy Watson - Programme leader

Course changes

Changes in 2019

Changes in 2018

Changes in 2017

What our students say

Louise Jones

Hear from our staff

Jim Pope

What our graduates think

Maddie Saunders