English Literature Undergraduate Degrees

Are you ready to unlock the world of English Literature? At Bangor, you'll build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge in your first year, then choose from an exciting range of modules as you progress. You’ll have the freedom to explore new interests and even carry out independent research on a topic you’re passionate about.

It’s no surprise that our English Literature programme achieved 100% Overall Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2025 - students love the opportunities and support we provide. From 1,000-year-old texts to modern writing that shapes today’s society, you’ll discover innovative approaches to literature. You’ll explore genres like Gothic, Comedy, and Children’s Fiction, and tackle big themes such as gender and sexuality, climate change, political injustice, economic inequality, and globalisation.

Our English Literature degrees are designed to spark your creativity and feed your intellectual curiosity. You’ll explore topical issues in imaginative ways while developing the communication skills that employers look for. 

You’ll also build the subject-specific strengths that set you apart in a world increasingly shaped by AI. Through close reading, critical thinking and a creative use of language, you’ll learn to interpret complex information, challenge ideas and craft original arguments. 

Through ongoing conversations with lecturers and peers, both inside and outside the classroom, you’ll gain confidence in your own voice and learn to express complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Studying English Literature at Bangor isn’t just about exploring great books, it’s about building skills that employers value. Many of our modules include innovative, creative assessments designed to prepare you for a wide range of careers. 

As you embrace your love of reading, you’ll develop transferable strengths such as critical thinking, attention to detail and the ability to craft persuasive, well researched arguments. In a fast-changing world shaped by new technologies, these human skills are becoming even more sought after by employers, helping you bring insight, judgement and originality to whatever path you choose.

At Bangor, you’ll be part of a supportive, close-knit community where your success matters. From day one, you’ll be taught by world-leading subject specialists who take the time to get to know you and your work. Our excellent student-to-staff ratio means you’ll benefit from a personalised approach to teaching, with small seminar groups, one-to-one project supervision, workshops, and regular drop-in sessions. It’s why we’re ranked Top 10 in the UK for Academic Support in the National Student Survey 2025. 

Beyond the classroom, our English Literature community is lively and welcoming. You’ll have opportunities to immerse yourself in reading, attend theatre visits and field trips, meet visiting writers, join research seminars, explore Bangor’s special collections and archives, and get involved in vibrant student societies and reading groups.

At Bangor University, you’ll study the classics, including Chaucer, Austen, Shakespeare, the Brontës, Wordsworth, and Plath - but our degree goes far beyond traditional boundaries. English Literature isn’t just literature from England. 

You’ll explore postcolonial and decolonial writing, as well as the rich diversity of four nations literatures. We have strong expertise in Welsh Writing in English, and our teaching also highlights the European contexts that have shaped British literature. This is your chance to see English Literature in a global and inclusive way.