To apply you’ll need to:
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Finances for studying abroad on exchange
The words we use hold power – they inspire, persuade and entertain. But how does language actually achieve this?
Calling lovers of literature and language. Join us to unpick words on a page while also untangling how the language itself is used in literature. You’ll ask questions about the future – what is the impact of AI-generated language? How is the way we express ideas like gender shifting?
We’ve been the top-ranked research unit in linguistics in the UK for the past 20 years. And our English teaching team is made up of 40 academics who you might have already come across on the radio or TV.
We’ll provide fascinating research insights into the nature of language while looking at the very earliest Anglo-Saxon poems to the latest bestsellers. Our modules also span a wide geography from the East End of London to India.
Register your interest
By combining these subjects, you’ll be part of exciting conversations about a wide variety of literature and the way we communicate. We’ll also discuss the latest projects happening here such as how we’ve helped preserve the cultural heritage of local communities and provided training to help reduce bias.
Research and analysis skills are sought after by employers, so we’ll help you become confident communicating ideas and analysing data. Perhaps you’ll discover you want to apply these skills to work in the public sector, education or policy. Or maybe public relations is where you’ll find a rewarding role.
You can complete your English Literature and Linguistics degree in three or four years. If you choose to do a year abroad this will take place in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.
In English, you will take the following modules (all compulsory):
In Linguistics, you will take the following two compulsory modules:
In addition, students choose 15 credits from linguistics modules at level 4.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
In English you will take one 30 credit module from List One or Two, and at least one module from Lists Three or Four:
List One: Medieval and Early-Modern Studies
List Two: Eighteenth Century Studies, Romanticism, Nineteenth-Century Studies
List Three: Modern, Contemporary, and Postcolonial Studies
List 4: Special Options (this list changes each year). Modules may include:
In Linguistics, students normally choose 60 Credits optional linguistics modules at level 5 from a wide range of options that changes each year. Modules may include:
You will take one of the following modules:
You then choose your final-year elective modules from a wide range of options that changes each year. In English, your selection will normally include one 30 credit option module.
Elective modules may include:
This is a sample of modules from our full module directory.
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our English Literature and Linguistics BA with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).
Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.
A few modules may require you to buy tickets to shows or exhibitions (often at a discounted rate) as well as pay for travel within London.
Studying abroad has allowed me to improve upon my adaptability and flexibility in new situations. I now feel even more comfortable communicating with people from different cultures because of this experience. I loved meeting people from all over the world.
You'll receive approximately 10 hours of weekly contact time, which will be a mixture of lectures and seminars. Lectures are given by expert staff, and can also feature guests such as industry experts, poets, linguists and curators. Modules may also include field trips, tutorials and workshops.
For every hour spent in class, you'll complete a further four to six hours of independent study.
Assessment typically includes exams and coursework, often in the form of essays, but sometimes as extended projects, presentations, log books and portfolios.
The School offers excellent on-campus and London-based resources to support your studies, including:
English Literature Taster: Brave New Words: Writing Across Worlds and promoting writers of colour in Wasafiri.
Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.
For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Our standard contextual offer: BBC including English Literature or English Language at A-Level.
Our enhanced contextual offer: BCC including English Literature or English Language at A-Level.
More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page.
Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.
If your qualifications are not accepted for direct entry onto this degree, consider applying for a foundation programme.
Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.
You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.
See our general undergraduate entry requirements.
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
Our English Literature and Linguistics graduates go on to work across many different sectors, including publishing, journalism, marketing, arts and heritage and public relations.
Recent graduates from our English Literature and Linguistics degree have been hired by:
You’ll have access to bespoke careers support every step of your degree, including personal academic support from the English and Linguistics Departments. A practical third-year module will prepare you for the transition from university to working life by researching career, entrepreneurial and postgraduate study prospects.
Our careers team can also offer:
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
English Literature and Linguistics - BA (Hons)
English Literature and Linguistics with Year Abroad - BA (Hons)
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The School of the Arts combines innovation, discovery and excellence in education and research in Drama, Film, Modern Languages, English & Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, Linguistics and Liberal Arts. We rank in the top 100 worldwide for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)