English
English as a university discipline encompasses the study of literature, language, and the critical methods through which we interpret and evaluate both. Reading English at degree level means learning to engage with texts, from medieval poetry to contemporary fiction, with precision and depth, attending to how language works, how meaning is made, and how literary works are situated within the historical and cultural contexts that shaped them. It develops skills in close reading, analytical thinking, and academic writing that are among the most transferable that any degree can offer.
The University of London offers this programme through distance learning, which makes it accessible to students who cannot attend campus-based study. Distance learning at degree level requires genuine self-discipline and the ability to engage independently with demanding material, but it offers flexibility that is valuable to those managing work, care responsibilities, or other commitments. The University of London's distance learning programmes draw on the academic expertise of its member institutions and are designed to provide a rigorous, intellectually serious education that compares well with campus-based provision.
You will engage with a range of literary periods and genres, studying how texts are read and interpreted across different historical and cultural contexts, and developing your own critical voice through essay writing and research.
English literature studied through distance learning also develops the self-management, time organisation, and independent learning skills that employers value and that the modern workplace increasingly demands.
Graduates of English degrees work across a wide range of professions, including publishing, journalism, education, the civil service, law, public relations, marketing, advertising, and arts administration. The analytical and writing skills the degree develops are valued by employers in any field where communication matters, which is to say almost everywhere. Postgraduate study in English, creative writing, publishing, or related fields is also a well-established route for English graduates.