Media and English Literature

Media and English Literature is a programme that sits at the intersection of two fields both deeply concerned with how meaning is made, communicated, and received. English literature studies the ways in which written texts, from novels and poetry to drama and criticism, shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us. Media studies examines the broader landscape of communication, from broadcast and print journalism to film, digital platforms, and social media, asking how these forms influence our behaviour, views, and identities.

At York St John University, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, providing a supportive entry point before you move into the main degree. It also includes a sandwich placement year and a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience in a media or creative environment and to study in a different country, both of which significantly strengthen your preparation for the graduate job market. Throughout the programme you will read widely across literary genres and periods, developing the skills of close reading, critical analysis, and extended written argument.

The media strand takes you into questions of media production, representation, audience, regulation, and the digital transformation of communication. Together, the two disciplines develop your capacity to interpret texts and cultural products critically, and to understand the power that stories and media forms have over public life.

Graduates are well prepared for careers in journalism, publishing, broadcasting, public relations, content creation, marketing, teaching, and the wider creative industries. The critical and analytical skills developed in both literature and media studies are also transferable to roles in research, policy, and the civil service. Postgraduate study in creative writing, media studies, journalism, cultural studies, or English literature is a well-established route for those who wish to develop their expertise or pursue academic careers.