English Literature with Foundation Year

English literature is the study of how writers have used language to explore human experience, from the earliest texts in the language through to contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama. It asks how literary works are shaped by the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which they were produced, and what it means to read carefully and interpret responsibly. Literature has shaped our view of the world in profound ways, and studying it develops the close reading, critical thinking, and communicative power that are among the most transferable intellectual skills a degree can offer.

At the University of Reading, this four-year full-time programme begins with an integrated foundation year, giving students the chance to develop core academic skills and deepen their literary knowledge before progressing to the full BA English Literature degree. The foundation year is designed for students who want to build confidence and preparation before engaging with degree-level literary study, and it covers the range of approaches and periods that will be explored in more depth as the programme advances. You will read widely across literary history, developing your ability to analyse texts, engage with critical debates, and write with clarity and precision.

Entry typically requires around 88 UCAS tariff points.

English literature graduates work in publishing, journalism, copywriting, teaching, communications, marketing, the civil service, law, and a very wide range of sectors in which strong written communication and the ability to interpret complex material are valued. Many continue to postgraduate study in English, creative writing, or education, or pursue further professional training such as a PGCE. The skills the degree develops are genuinely transferable, and graduates are found across virtually every professional field.