English and Comparative Literature BA

This degree combines English literature with different literatures from around the world.

You’ll choose from the whole range of options in the School of English, including writers from Africa, Asia, Australasia, Canada and the Caribbean. You’ll also study texts (from translations) in Ancient Greek, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, taught by literature specialists from the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies.

Core modules will introduce you to the concept of world literature and issues such as genre, narratology and reception. Then you’ll choose from a wide range of optional modules to pursue topics that interest you. Your tutors provide diverse expertise to help you gain a deeper understanding of literature from around the world – and develop analytical skills that are valuable to employers.

Specialist resources

Leeds has fantastic facilities for literature students. The world-class Brotherton Library has an array of archive, manuscript and early printed material in its Special Collections, alongside other extensive library resources. All of this will be valuable for your independent research, and the University Library offers training programmes to help you make the most of our resources.

Take a look around our libraries:

Brotherton Library
Laidlaw Library
Edward Boyle Library

The University also has four performance and rehearsal spaces, fully equipped with lighting and sound, as part of our impressive theatre offering.

Explore the Workshop Theatre

In your first year, you’ll take the core module Foundations of English Studies and choose a further English module on poetry or drama. You’ll also take the core module Worlds of Literature, introducing you to key areas of comparative literature through the study of novels, plays, poetry and short stories from around the world. Optional modules are available in areas such as world histories, world politics or audio-visual culture.

In your second year you take a core module on Reception, Transmission and Translation, which introduces you to the theory and practice of global literary circulation and culminates in the production of an edited anthology. You'll also choose from a wide range of optional modules from the Schools of English and Languages, Cultures and Societies.

In your third year, you’ll apply the critical and research skills you’ve developed to your final year project, where you’ll independently research a topic which draws on your knowledge of English and literature from other cultures, such as the myth of Odysseus from Homer to Derek Walcott, global dystopias, comparative postcolonialisms, or the ways in which foreign-language detective fiction has been received in the English-speaking world.

You’ll also study optional modules covering an array of topics, such as different periods of English literature, Dante, Shakespeare, writing the Holocaust, and contemporary world literature, a module where we investigate why authors such as Elena Ferrante or Haruki Murakami have become so successful.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read English and Comparative Literature BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of learning and teaching styles to help you benefit from our tutors’ expertise. Lectures, seminars and tutorials are most commonly used, but workshops may also be involved in some modules.

However, independent learning is also a vital part of the degree, allowing you to conduct your own research and think critically about what you find. The University Library runs excellent training programmes to help you make the most of our resources.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Different types of assessment are also used – usually exams and essays, but oral presentations and group work may also be included in some modules. We offer plenty of support throughout your time at Leeds, including extra classes on issues like structuring essays, public speaking or exam technique.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including A in English (Language, Literature or Language and Literature).

Other course specific tests:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be ABB at A Level including A in English and grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. The Access course must include English modules. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.

• BTEC

  We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, M1, M2 including D3 in English.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level with 6 in English at Higher Level.

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in English

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AB in Advanced Highers including A in English and AABBB in Highers, or A in English in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: 80% including 8.5 in English.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level including English and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,250 (per year)

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.

Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

English and Comparative Literature graduates develop a wide range of transferable skills that really appeal to employers.

You’ll have highly developed communication skills, and the ability to appreciate cultures outside of your own. You’ll be independent and self-motivated, as well as a confident researcher who can think analytically about what they find. You’ll also have the organisational and time management skills that come from studying two subjects as part of a joint honours course.

Leeds English graduates have succeeded in diverse careers such as publishing, business and finance, law, advertising and marketing, journalism, the civil service, education and the charity sector. Many have also gone onto postgraduate study.

You can read more about the range of careers our Comparative Literature and English graduates progress into, as well as the support we offer you throughout your degree.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.