University of Adelaide

What you'll study

This major combines historical survey units with thematic, genre and theoretical modules. You will encounter periods and movements such as medieval and early modern literature, Shakespeare, the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, modernism and contemporary writing, alongside study of global Anglophone literatures.

Typical topics and modules include:

• Close reading and literary analysis
• Literary history and period studies (for example, Shakespeare and early modern drama; Victorian literature; twentieth-century modernism)
• Literary theory and critical methods (including formalism, feminism, postcolonial theory and ecocriticism)
• Genre studies (poetry, novel, drama and short fiction)
• Contemporary and world literatures in English
• Creative writing options and rhetoric for students who want a practice-led component
• Digital humanities, archival research and textual scholarship modules
• Capstone or independent research project in your final year

The BA structure at the University of Adelaide is flexible: you can take English Literature as a major or combine it with other majors or minors across arts, languages, social sciences and more. Teaching is delivered through lectures, small-group tutorials and supervised research projects, with assessment via essays, presentations, creative portfolios and exams.

Entry requirements

Admission is typically based on successful completion of an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent secondary qualification. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong communication and analytical skills. International applicants must meet the Universitys English language proficiency requirements; common evidence accepted includes recognised tests such as IELTS or equivalent qualifications. Mature-age applicants and those with prior tertiary study may be eligible through alternative entry pathways. Specific score thresholds and prerequisites vary by applicant type, so consult the University of Adelaide admissions pages or contact admissions for personalised advice.

Career prospects

Graduates with an English Literature degree develop transferable skills in critical thinking, research, writing and communication that are valued across many sectors. Common career paths include:

• Publishing and editing (book trade, journals, digital publishing)
• Communications, public relations and marketing
• Content creation and digital media
• Policy, government and non-profit roles requiring strong writing and analysis
• Teaching and education (note: secondary school teaching typically requires an additional teaching qualification)
• Library, archival and cultural heritage roles
• Further study in postgraduate humanities, law, research or creative arts

Many graduates combine the degree with internships, elective professional units or honours research to enhance employability in specialised fields.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers a long-established humanities faculty with research-led teaching and a focus on close scholarly engagement. Students benefit from access to the Universitys library collections and special archives, opportunities to take interdisciplinary electives across the Faculty of Arts and social sciences, and support through academic skills and career services.

Teaching is delivered in small tutorials as well as larger lectures, allowing sustained discussion and personalised feedback. The University also facilitates international exchange and industry engagement, giving students options to gain global perspectives and practical experience alongside their literary studies.