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English Literature with Foundation at University of Reading - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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University of Reading has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

Discover how literature has shaped our view of the world, and develop core academic skills, with our BA English Literature with Foundation course. This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course, providing an excellent route into a degree in English literature if you do not have the typical entry qualifications. Literature is characterised by extraordinary richness and diversity. Throughout your studies, you will explore texts from across the globe, across a range of genres and periods. Enter lively debate with others who share your passion for literature; study authors and genres that you may already know, and discover others that may be less familiar to you. Our BA English Literature with Foundation course will provide you with:

  • the creative and critical ability to examine texts in detail, and draw your own conclusions
  • knowledge of a variety of literary texts — including poetry, prose, drama and film — from a range of periods
  • an awareness of the ways in which literature responds to cultural context, and how texts accrue new meaning.
  • You will be taught by experts from the Department of English Literature, whose expertise and research spans everything from medieval poetry to contemporary American fiction. Our BA English Literature with Foundation is flexible, and you will be encouraged to develop your own literary enthusiasms and follow your interests through our wide variety of modules.
Your learning structure The aim of the foundation year is to prepare you for your English literature degree. As you progress, each stage builds on your prior learning:
  • Foundation year: gain a thorough grounding in study at degree level. Core modules will develop key skills to support your learning.
The Academic Skills module helps you to acquire successful study skills, including academic writing, research and referencing, critical thinking, teamwork, effective study techniques and time management. The Study for Success module enables you to develop as a successful student in this field, building on your strengths and targeting key skill areas. The Identities module explores ideas of identity under four themes: national/race identity, gender, changing identities and a sense of self. It covers a wide range of texts and objects, including film, novels and novellas, poems and plays and cultural documents.
  • First year: engage in lively debate about approaches to the study of literature. You will undertake critical and research exercises, with close study of selected texts from a number of different periods.
  • Second year: you will be given the opportunity to explore a breadth of English literature, delving into texts within historical periods and generic traditions.
  • Third year: undertake more specialised and independent literary study, choosing your modules from a wide range of options. The dissertation module will develop your skills in research, planning and writing.
Supportive learning environment At Reading, we believe that the study of English literature is a discursive process, in which we learn by sharing our ideas. To this end, we prioritise small-group learning within a friendly and supportive environment. Your learning will take place through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical classes and workshops delivered by our supportive staff. Enhance your studies Every year, the Department hosts a Royal Literary Fund Fellow: a professional writer whose role is to advise students on their writing technique. As well as assisting with your essays and coursework, the Fellow can offer feedback on your personal pieces. Throughout your degree, you will have access to the University's substantial and varied collection of rare books, archives and manuscripts.

Modules

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. Core modules for this course: Reading Academic Skills; Study for Success; Theory and Practice of Writing; Introduction to Drama; Poetry in English; Prose: Writing Identities; Dissertation. The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
Q302
Institution code:
R12
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants from non-traditional educational backgrounds and will consider these applicants on a case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7We require a minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
TOEFL (iBT)100We require a minimum score of 100 overall with no less than 20 in Listening, Writing and Reading and 21 in Speaking.
Cambridge English AdvancedAWe require a grade A or a score of 185 overall with no element less than 169.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCWe require a grade C or a score of 185 overall with no element less than 169.
PTE Academic76We require a minimum score of 76 overall with at least 64 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Institution's Own TestTest of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Trinity ISEPassOnly ISE III and ISE IV are acceptable and we require a Pass in each element.

Full list of acceptable English Language Tests

http://www.reading.ac.uk/ad-EnglishTests.aspx

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
68%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
88%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £25250 Year 1
International £25250 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
English Literature with Foundation at University of Reading - UCAS