Course Overview

Studying an undergraduate English degree at the University of Birmingham will enable you to explore past and present cultures and societies, through a wide range of perspectives and in a variety of different literary genres.

Our internationally renowned academic staff offer a huge range of literary specialisms across the full historical range to the present day. Our degree offers you an exciting core programme in English Literature, while also giving you the opportunity to explore pathways in the closely related fields of Creative Writing, Drama, Film Studies and English Language. You will have access to unparalleled resources for the study of Shakespeare, through our world leading Shakespeare Institute, not only looking at the poetry and plays of Shakespeare himself, but how these works have been interpreted, reworked and reimagined by diverse audiences.

General Eligibility

• Three GCE A levels (including International A Levels)

• The International Baccalaureate Diploma

• SQA Highers and Advanced Highers (many programmes will accept Highers without additional Advanced Highers)

• The Cambridge Pre-U (minimum three separate subjects)

• A mix of A levels and Cambridge Pre-U subjects (minimum three in total)

• The Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level

• The European Baccalaureate

• Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (the grade required will be the same as from an A level and must be combined with 2 A levels.)

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• In order to undertake a programme of study here at the University, you will need to demonstrate that you have a suitable level of English proficiency.

  You can demonstrate your level of English with IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or alternative qualifications. The sections below will tell you what grades you need in these qualifications for the subject area you want to study.

  English tests/qualifications normally need to have been taken within two years of the start date of your programme.

  For those joining us for 2022, we will accept the following additional tests as evidence of English language proficiency:

  • TOEFL Home Edition

  • IELTs Online

  • PTE Academic Online