English Literature BA (Hons)

University of Portsmouth

**Overview**If you want a future with fewer limits, this is the degree for you. When you study English Literature at Portsmouth, you'll also explore history and politics, society and culture, human relationships and identities, and how we choose to live. And you’re doing it in a city steeped in lively literature, from Charles Dickens to Neil Gaiman.You’ll explore complex, challenging issues – from masculinity to the Holocaust. You’ll learn the skills to critically analyse the purpose, truth and impact of any written text. You’ll also develop the skills to produce your own writing and presentations, so you can communicate original ideas in ways that engage and influence readers.The combination of creative thinking and rigorous analysis you develop will make you a compelling candidate for all kinds of jobs – from marketing to museums, and journalism to publishing.**Course highlights**- Discover our literary city with the constantly evolving Portsmouth Literary Map – your course begins with a tour of literary Portsea and the Dockyards area, introducing significant places in the lives of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, today's local writers, and plenty more- Enjoy the freedom to interpret assignments creatively, and develop employable skills in presentation and teamwork, on a course without exams- Learn directly from staff who produce world-leading research into areas as diverse as magical realism and representations of food- Build specialist knowledge by choosing the topics that match your interests – from global literature to dystopian and apocalyptic environments, from women’s writing to crime writing- Develop your own style and build up your portfolio by becoming a contributor to our Writing Literary Portsmouth blog- Curate your own literary prize or produce a prize pitch, to experience what happens when writing meets the commercial marketplace- Build a professional network with high-profile figures including authors, agents, publishers, booksellers, judges and critics through our contacts and partnerships**Optional pathways**There are optional pathways through this degree that let you combine your literature studies with another interest, leading to the following exit awards:- BA (Hons) English Literature with History- BA (Hons) English Literature with Media Studies**Careers and opportunities**Studying the written word at degree level draws on many diverse skills and ways of thinking critically. Which makes English Literature one of the most versatile subjects you can study, creating a wealth of career opportunities. This degree will set you up to pursue careers in fields where communication and critical thinking matter. Employers in many more industries recognise the value of the transferable skills you’ll gain during an English Literature degree. Your CV will demonstrate:- sophisticated analytical skills, enabling you to assess texts on any topic- the ability to think critically and reach your own conclusions- a flair for presenting and discussing ideas with diverse audiences- the confidence to say exactly what you mean to say, in writing and in person- a creative mindset that helps you see things differently- a well-developed sense of empathy and teamworking skillsWhat areas can you work in with an English literature degree?After the course, you could work in areas such as:- advertising- journalism- arts and media- public relations- copywriting- teaching- researchYou could also study at postgraduate level.Graduate destinationsRoles our previous graduates have gone onto include:- copywriter- journalist and editor- marketing executive- teacher- paralegal- sales executive- museum curatorOur Careers and Employability service can help you find a job or course that puts your skills to work. After you leave the University, you can get