Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The English programme at Dartmouth combines intensive study of literary texts with theoretical, historical and interdisciplinary perspectives. Typical areas of study include medieval and Renaissance literature, eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British and American literature, modern and contemporary fiction and poetry, drama, literary theory and criticism, postcolonial and global literatures, and the relationships of literature to film, media and digital cultures.

• Core skills: close reading, critical interpretation, argumentation and advanced academic and creative writing.
• Typical modules: Introduction to Literary Study, Shakespeare and Early Drama, Nineteenth‑Century Novel, Modern and Contemporary Poetry, American Literature, Postcolonial Literature, Literary Theory, and Film and Literature.
• Interdisciplinary options: courses linking literature with history, philosophy, gender studies, African and Asian studies, and digital humanities methodologies.
• Capstone/senior work: students usually complete a senior seminar or a substantial independent research or creative project under faculty supervision to synthesise skills gained across the major.
• Experiential learning: the college’s flexible academic plan enables internships, off‑campus study and research opportunities that complement coursework.

Entry requirements

Admission to Dartmouth College is by competitive undergraduate admission to the college as a whole; selection is holistic and based on secondary‑school academic record, recommendations, personal statements and, where provided, standardised test results. Students interested in the English major should demonstrate strong preparation in high‑school English and writing and a record of rigorous coursework.

• Academic background: successful applicants typically present strong grades in a rigorous secondary‑school curriculum with advanced work in English and humanities where available.
• Application components: academic transcripts, teacher recommendations, personal essays and any optional standardised test scores submitted as part of the college application.
• Declaration of major: students normally declare a major after their first year or during the sophomore year, and the department provides advising to help plan course sequences and capstone options.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in English from Dartmouth move into a wide range of careers that value analytical reading, clear writing and persuasive argument. Common paths include publishing and editing, journalism and communications, law and public policy, education and teaching, non‑profit and cultural organisations, marketing and content strategy, and graduate study in literature or related fields.

• Further study: many alumni pursue postgraduate degrees in English, creative writing, law, education, or library and information science.
• Employment sectors: media and publishing houses, academic and research institutions, government and NGOs, corporate communications and tech companies focusing on content strategy and user experience.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth offers a small, discussion‑oriented liberal arts environment with close faculty‑student interaction, enabling intensive mentorship and opportunities for collaborative research and independent projects. The department emphasises both historical breadth and experimental approaches, and benefits from interdisciplinary connections across the college.

• Faculty mentorship: seminars are small, and faculty are accessible for advising on research, senior projects and career development.
• D‑Plan flexibility: Dartmouth’s academic plan allows students to integrate internships, study abroad and practical experience with their degree programme.
• Resources: students can draw on strong library collections, writing support services and extracurricular outlets such as literary magazines, theatre and creative writing groups.