English literature is the study of literature written in the English language. It explores human experience and imagination as it has been expressed in written form over more than five centuries. It also affords insight into how rhetorical structures of narrative and metaphor shape everyone’s perception of the world.

Laura Stockwell

Programme structure

In first and second years you will study three literary genres – poetry, drama and prose fiction – from Shakespeare to the present.

Year 1

You will be introduced to literary genres (poetry, the novel and narratives, and drama) in terms of their history, the theories that literary criticism has developed to talk about them, and the technical features they deploy. At the same time you will be introduced to essential skills in the study of literature, including using theory and close reading, and will be encouraged to develop skills in writing and talking about literature.

The writers studied in recent years include Shakespeare, Defoe, Woolf, Twain, Walcott, Rich, Beckett, Austen, Donne, Shelley and Dickinson.

You will also study two other subjects of your choice in year 1: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2

In second year you will build on your reading and analytical skills, applying these to more conceptually challenging texts. You will examine the relationship between literature and notions such as place, period/time, and genre and consider how a selection of novels, poems and plays engage with and complicate their historical, social, cultural and political contexts.

Writers studied in recent years include Milton, Swift, Conrad, Achebe, Spark, James and Bronte.

You will also study two other subjects in year 2: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Special features

Our international links

Career prospects

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

MA

Highers: AAAA or AAABB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAB or AABBB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AABB or ABBB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed.

A-levels: AAB.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships