English at Sunderland is a wide-ranging and innovative degree. In the first year, all students follow a common curriculum covering the three main branches of contemporary English studies: English Language, English Literature and Creative Writing. In the second and third year you will choose to specialise in one of these branches while taking modules from other areas.
Following your own pathway, you will graduate with one of three named degrees: BA (Hons) English: Language, BA (Hons) English: Literature, or BA (Hons) English: Creative Writing.
Why us?
- 100% of our BA (Hons) English graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers)
- 92.9% of our BA (Hons) English graduates are in graduate-level employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers)
- ‚World-leading’ research in English Language and Literature, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF)
- Our English Studies courses are ranked 10th in the UK for Learning opportunities, according to the National Student Survey 2018
Course structure
A typical week for you will include lectures, seminars and group work, as well as independent study.
Throughout your studies our academics will be on hand to provide you with one-to-one support when you need it.
Your progress will be assessed mainly through coursework, such as written assignments and presentations, with the opportunity to carry out a more extended piece in your third year. The best work will be published in Codex – the School of Culture’s online undergraduate academic journal.
You can also gain valuable work experience through our own publishing house, Spectral Visions Press, which publishes the work of our students.
The skills and experience you gain through participation in activities outside the lecture theatre can be recognised and rewarded through the Sunderland Professional Award (SuPA); which is developed in partnership with employers to enhance your future employment prospects.
Your academic experience will be influenced by and benefit from the research specialisms of our English team. Our academics integrate their research into the modules to continually enhance and refresh your understanding of the subject.
Facilities
You’ll be based at The Reg Vardy Centre, situated on the award-winning St Peter’s riverside campus. The location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus.
Employment
BA (Hons) English is an extremely well-respected degree. Your highly developed skills in communication, research and analysis will make you a perfect fit for a wide range of organisations, including graduate training schemes.
Many of our graduates progress to careers in teaching, journalism, business and publishing.
Spectral Visions Press
Spectral Visions Press is a publishing house located at the University of Sunderland, which specialises in creative writing inspired by Gothic literature.
In its first month, Spectral Visions Press received close to 100 submissions from around the globe for its creative writing collection ‚Spectral Visions: Grim Fairy Tales’, and for its Gothic studies-centred academic journal ‘Monstrum’.
As well as offering opportunities to publish your creative writing, Spectral Visions Press can also provide you with valuable experience of the publishing industry. You will gain a work-reference in addition to your academic reference – a huge advantage when applying for popular publishing jobs.
