BA (Hons) English · Ulster UniversityBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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Ulster University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) English Bachelor's degree at Ulster University

BA (Hons) English at Ulster University. The course, founded in 1984, combines core theory with research methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.

BA (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
85%
continuation

About this course

BA (Hons) English is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Ulster University, based in Coleraine. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for English & Literature, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

8.5
/ 10
1 of 3 official measures
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

A typical UK English & Literature degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:

StageModule
Year 1Introduction to Literary Studies
Close reading and critical writing across poetry, prose and drama.
Year 1Literature in History I
Medieval to Renaissance texts in their worlds.
Year 1Critical Theory Foundations
The ideas, from formalism to postcolonialism, critics argue with.
Year 2Literature in History II
Enlightenment, Romantic and Victorian writing.
Year 2Modern & Contemporary Literature
Modernism to the present, including global anglophone writing.
Year 2Creative or Applied Writing
Workshop-based writing craft on many courses.
Year 3Specialist options
Typically Shakespeare, gothic, world literature, or literature and gender/ecology.
Year 3Advanced Critical Seminar
Research-led study at the edge of the field.
Year 3Dissertation
An extended independent literary research project.

Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.

Specialisations & pathways

Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

A typical English & Literature degree moves from foundations to specialised study and independent research. In Year 1, you'll usually study introduction to literary analysis, close reading across poetry, prose and drama, alongside literature in its historical contexts, from medieval to Renaissance texts, and critical theory foundations covering the ideas critics use to interpret texts. Year 2 typically progresses through later periods (Enlightenment, Romantic and Victorian writing) and modern to contemporary literature including global anglophone work. Many courses include creative or applied writing workshops. In Year 3, you'll normally choose specialist options such as Shakespeare & early modern, creative writing, contemporary fiction, critical theory, world literature or publishing pathways, whilst undertaking advanced critical seminars and an extended independent dissertation.

Who it's for

Most students entering this programme hold another higher-education qualification, 50% of accepted students come in with prior higher-education experience. The part-time structure suits those balancing study with work or other commitments. You'll develop expertise across literary analysis, research design, and professional communication.

Careers & job market

Nationally, 85% of English and Literature graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings across the sector range from £23,000–£30,000 at the 15-month point, rising to £24,650–£34,800 after five years. These figures reflect national labour-market outcomes; your own prospects depend on your experience, location, and career choices. The university's careers service can advise on opportunities within your field.

University & format

This BA (Hons) English is studied part-time at Ulster University, a university located in Coleraine. Instruction is in English. The degree is a nationally recognised qualification from a recognised UK degree-awarding body and is.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

2026 entryLive availability check

Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held another higher-education qualification50% of accepted students came in with another higher-education qualification (entrants over recent years).
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Ulster University's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
another higher-education qualification50%
A-levels or equivalent40%
a previous degree10%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Ulster University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Internationalset by the university

Set under Northern Ireland's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.

Check fees at Ulster University →

If you normally live in Northern Ireland

Studying in Northern Irelandtuition loan up to £4,985
Studying elsewhere in the UKtuition loan up to £9,790

2026/27 maximum Tuition Fee Loan for eligible Northern Ireland students. Maintenance support depends on household income. Students from elsewhere use their home funding body.

Check the current amounts with Student Finance NI →

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: up to £4,985 in Northern Ireland or £9,790 elsewhere in the UK for eligible NI-domiciled students in 2026/27.
  • Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance NI, weighted to household income.
  • Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

Northern Ireland runs its own system through Student Finance NI; check studentfinanceni.co.uk for current rates.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Ulster University funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What English & Literature graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

85%
continue past their first year
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in english & literature · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs English & Literature nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£23,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£19,975 – £28,200
After 5 years LEO
£24,650 – £34,800
national rangeaxis £18,500 – £36,000

National figures for English & Literature graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

85 of 100

continued or completed

continued into the next year or completed their qualification

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Job market & outlook

How English & Literature graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across English & Literature courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where English & Literature graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Publishers
  • Media & broadcasters
  • Marketing & PR agencies
  • Charities & public sector

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

Fees for this course are set under Northern Ireland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Northern Ireland, Student Finance NI can pay a Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university. For 2026/27 the maximum is £4,985 when studying in Northern Ireland and £9,790 elsewhere in the UK. Students from elsewhere use their ordinary-residence funding body, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.5 out of 10: continued 85%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Ulster University

All students32,915
International32.5%
Aged 25+35%

Language and area studies across the UK

Students75,355
Aged 25+23.7%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Coleraine

156 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Anti Social Behaviour 69Violent Crime 45Criminal Damage Arson 26Drugs 4Other Theft 4

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is English & Literature right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Ulster University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by Ulster University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Ulster University’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Ulster University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by Ulster University. Most accepted students held another higher-education qualification. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
See the career and earnings data for English & Literature below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
Fees for this course are set under Northern Ireland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Northern Ireland, Student Finance NI can pay a Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university. For 2026/27 the maximum is £4,985 when studying in Northern Ireland and £9,790 elsewhere in the UK. Students from elsewhere use their ordinary-residence funding body, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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