English Literature

English literature is the study of writing in English across the full sweep of its history, from the medieval period through the Renaissance, the age of the novel, the upheavals of modernism, and the extraordinary diversity of contemporary writing. It is a discipline that develops the ability to read closely and attentively, to interpret meaning in texts that are complex and sometimes ambiguous, to understand the historical and cultural contexts that have shaped literary works, and to engage with questions about language, form, genre, and the relationship between literature and the societies that produce it.

At Loughborough University, this three-year full-time programme gives you the opportunity to pursue your engagement with literature across a wide chronological and generic range, from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century, encountering texts from different traditions, periods, and cultural contexts. You will develop your skills in close reading and critical writing, learning to construct careful and well-evidenced arguments about literary texts, and to engage with the critical debates that have shaped how we read and value them. Loughborough's English department combines intellectual rigour with genuine engagement, and the programme develops a love of literature alongside analytical precision.

English literature graduates develop capabilities that are valued across an unusually wide range of careers: the ability to read carefully and think critically, to write with clarity and precision, and to engage with complex and contested ideas. These skills are relevant in publishing, journalism, education, law, the civil service, marketing and communications, the cultural sector, and many other professional contexts. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in English literature, creative writing, or related fields, while others move directly into professional life with a strong humanistic foundation.