University of York

What you'll study

This programme integrates linguistic study with literary analysis. You will explore the structure, history and variation of English — including phonetics, grammar, sociolinguistics and historical linguistics — alongside modules on poetry, drama and prose from medieval to contemporary writing. Teaching typically mixes lectures, seminars and small-group tutorials, supported by coursework and assessed essays.

• Core linguistic topics: phonetics and phonology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and the history of English.
• Literary study: period surveys (medieval, renaissance, eighteenth-century, nineteenth-century, modern and contemporary), genre studies (poetry, drama, the novel), and thematic modules such as gender, empire, and print culture.
• Research training: methods in literary and language research, close reading skills and corpus-based approaches.
• Options and skills: modules in creative writing, digital humanities, editing and publishing, and language in professional and public contexts.
• Final-year project: an independent dissertation or substantial project in either language or literature, supervised by academic staff.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have strong secondary school qualifications. Typical offers ask for strong grades at A-level (or equivalent), with successful applicants often demonstrating achievement in English or a related humanities subject. International qualifications such as the IB Diploma or recognised national equivalents are accepted.

Admissions decisions also take account of the personal statement and academic reference; relevant reading and evidence of ability to write analytically are helpful. There is generally no requirement for an admissions test or interview, although some applicants may be invited to discuss their application. GCSE (or equivalent) English language is normally expected at a good pass level.

Career prospects

Graduates from English Language & Literature are well placed for a wide range of careers that value communication, analysis and research. Common destinations include publishing, journalism, marketing and communications, public relations, and content or digital roles. Many graduates progress to further study and professional training such as teacher training (PGCE), postgraduate degrees in linguistics, literature or creative writing, or specialist fields like lexicography and speech and language therapy (which require additional professional qualifications).

Employers in the civil service, cultural and heritage organisations, charities and the creative industries regularly recruit humanities graduates for their critical-thinking and writing skills. The programme’s emphasis on project work and independent research is also excellent preparation for academic or research careers.

Why study at University of York

York offers tuition informed by active research in both language and literature, with teaching delivered in small-group seminars and personal supervisory arrangements for final-year projects. Students benefit from access to strong library and archival resources, including university special collections and nearby historic archives, which support period study and original research.

The department encourages interdisciplinary study and provides opportunities to develop practical skills through options in digital humanities, publishing and creative writing. York’s collegiate atmosphere and student societies provide a lively cultural life, while links with regional cultural institutions and placement opportunities help students gain work experience and professional contacts during their degree.