English

English literature is the sustained study of writing in the English language across centuries, genres, cultures and critical traditions. It develops your ability to read with close attention, to analyse how texts produce their effects and meanings, to situate literature within its historical and cultural contexts, and to construct well-reasoned arguments about what texts are doing and why they matter. The discipline is both a training in aesthetic appreciation and a rigorous intellectual practice, drawing on history, philosophy, linguistics and critical theory to build a multidimensional understanding of one of the richest bodies of writing in the world.

At the University of Lincoln you will explore a lively and varied collection of texts spanning medieval and Renaissance literature through to twenty-first century culture, engaging with a wide chronological and generic range. The programme runs full time over three years and includes a sandwich year and work-placement experience, giving you the opportunity to apply your critical and communication skills in a professional environment during your studies. This connection between academic study and professional practice is an increasingly important dimension of humanities education, and it strengthens the employability of graduates who can demonstrate both intellectual ability and practical workplace experience.

You will develop skills in close reading, literary analysis, critical writing, independent research and the clear communication of complex ideas. These are genuinely transferable competencies that are valued across many sectors, not just those directly connected to literature.

Graduates from English programmes pursue careers in publishing, journalism, editing, teaching, the civil service, communications, public relations, arts administration, law, marketing and the charity sector, among many other fields. The analytical and communication skills the degree develops are recognised by employers across a wide range of industries. Postgraduate study in English, creative writing, education, law or journalism is also a well-established route.