English Studies

As one of the oldest schools of English in the UK, with a first-rate reputation for teaching and research, Nottingham's School of English Studies celebrates literature and language in its diverse forms and constituent parts. English at Nottingham includes three distinct single honours degrees as well as a wide choice of joint honours courses, offering the opportunity to study English literature in combination with English language and applied linguistics, drama, medieval studies or creative writing.

About the subject
English studies is a wide-reaching subject covering a range of areas. Literature studies may concentrate on relating works to their historical and social context, or wider questions of artistic meaning; language and applied linguistics study includes psychological and cognitive approaches, and drama is treated not only historically but as a performance art.

Throughout the course you will not only ask 'what does this text mean?', but also questions like 'how is the language of this text impacting on me?', 'how might this text be performed?', and 'who is this text really aimed at?'.

Teaching and learning
Our students take a combination of compulsory and optional modules, focusing on two or more areas of English studies depending on the course, with an extensive choice of final-year options to suit particular personal interests.

The School was rated 'excellent' in the most recent independent review of teaching quality. You will be taught using a variety of methods, including seminars and lectures, workshops and small-group tutorials, with computer-assisted learning in many modules. Staff also offer one-to-one sessions to discuss ideas, and give advice and feedback on assignments.

Outside activities
The School has an active student society and supports the University's creative writing magazine. The Students' Union also produces 'Impact', a magazine written by students for students. Both publications offer opportunities for students to see their writing in print and to build their portfolio.

Library facilities
The Hallward Library holds an excellent collection of books for undergraduate study. The special collections include a DH Lawrence Collection, the Portland Literary Collection, the Cambridge Drama Collection, and the Eiríkur Benedikz Collection of Icelandic Literature, while the School houses the library of the English Place-Name Society.

Assessment and progression
A range of assessment methods is used, including essays, projects, presentations and exams; most modules involve more than one form of assessment.

Study abroad
Single honours students have the option of spending the second semester of their second year abroad, either at the University of British Columbia, University of Auckland or at one of our partner universities in Oslo, Helsinki, Århus or Venice. Students who take English with a language spend a year abroad as part of their degree.

Career opportunities
Our graduates are among the best in the country, and move into an extraordinarily wide range of careers. Some become school teachers, teachers of English as a foreign language, or university lecturers. Others go into media work (publishing, TV research or journalism), advertising, law or librarianship.

Application and interview
Offers are usually based on the UCAS form, without interview, although we do interview mature students and students with exceptional circumstances. The School is happy to receive applications from students who wish to defer their entry.

Opportunities to visit
Visit days for students offered a place are normally held in February and March. You are welcome to visit at other times – please contact us or visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/opendays for dates of our open days.

A copy of the brochure can be downloaded in pdf format:

English Studies brochure in pdf format

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