BA (Hons) English with Foundation at University of Plymouth

Course Details

Novels, poetry, short stories, drama: six centuries of English literature to explore. But, for some reason, you’ve not submitted your application. You wonder if you’re the type of person who goes to university. Perhaps you don’t have 32-48 UCAS points or other qualifications. Our four-year BA may be perfect for you.

In your first year, you’ll be equipped with an enabling inter-disciplinary knowledge of the humanities. You’ll acquire a toolkit of skills in a supportive environment, and the confidence to know how to use it. Upon successful completion of your first year, you’ll join the rest of the Undergraduate BA (Hons) English community for three lively years of discipline-specific study and inter-disciplinary enquiry that, above all, gives you the chance to indulge your love of reading and advanced study.

Key features

This four-year course is designed to give you the grounding necessary to progress through your undergraduate studies in English, and through the many opportunities we give you,

find the best possible direction to grow your love of learning. 

Your first year will: 

• welcome you to an exciting and eclectic curriculum which will develop your knowledge of the disciplines of English literature, creative writing and history while also engaging with lively interdisciplinary enquiry across a wide range of historical periods and literary forms.
• provide training in all the skills required for a successful passage through your undergraduate study: research, use of digital resources, essay-writing, academic argument, presentations, independent study.
• introduce you to supportive and accessible academic staff in a welcoming community.
• immerse you in an academic environment offering a wide range of field trips, access to free cultural events through The Arts Institute, student-led magazines, internships and extra-curricular work experiences.
• give you access to state-of-the-art facilities, library and learning resources on our city-centre campus.
• Enable you to find a route for you, whether you are returning to education after a break or if you come with qualifications other than A levels.
• Be required to attend classes only on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Wednesday mornings.

When you join the BA (Hons) English with Foundation, you’ll also: 

• Choose from a wide variety of specialist modules, including period and cultural studies and creative writing in your 2nd, 3rd, and final years.
• Receive free set texts for all core modules throughout your four years.
• Benefit from assessment through coursework, with no written exams.
• Boost your career prospects by working with a publishing house, literary agent, arts organisation or magazine on our work-based learning module or extra-curricular internships.
• Make use of our open-door policy and talk to your lecturers in a friendly and supportive learning environment.
• Learn from internationally recognised research-active staff, including published creative writers.
• Experience other cultures by studying or working abroad in either Europe or the US.
• Write and be published as part of INK, the BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing student-run magazine.
• Access resources at any time with the University library, open 24 hours 365 days a year, offering a vast range of electronic and print materials, including a rare books collection.
• Make the most of a rich cultural life with The Arts Institute programme and the University’s links with local arts organisations, like the Theatre Royal.