English Language and Literature

About the Course

Oxford’s English Language and Literature degree is one of the most wide-ranging in the UK, giving students the opportunity to explore English writing from its earliest origins in Anglo-Saxon England right through to contemporary works.

Alongside British literature, the course also covers texts from across the world that are written in English, as well as some translated works, encouraging students to view literature in multilingual and global contexts throughout history.

The course is highly flexible, allowing students to shape their own academic journey. You can pursue personal interests within the core papers, select a special option in your final year, and complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Examples of recent optional topics include:

Literature and revolution
Postcolonial literature
Writing lives
Old Norse
Tragedy
Film criticism

Course Overview

UCAS Code: Q300
Entry Requirements: AAA at A-level
Duration: 3 years (BA)

Subject Requirements

Essential: English Literature or English Language and Literature
Recommended: None specified
Useful/Helpful: A foreign language, History

Additional Course Details

Admissions Test: Not required
Written Work: One piece must be submitted

Admissions Statistics (3-year average 2022–24)

Interviewed: 67%
Successful applicants: 23%
Annual intake: 211 students

Skills and Learning Approach

Studying English at Oxford develops advanced reading and analytical skills, as well as the ability to place literary works in broader historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. Students also gain experience in:

Critical evaluation and interpretation of texts
Understanding literary form and technique
Engaging with different schools of literary criticism and theory
Tracing the development of the English language

Teaching and Resources

Oxford has the largest English department in Britain, offering teaching through tutorials with active researchers as well as faculty-wide lectures. This provides access to a diverse community of specialist teachers.

Library facilities are outstanding, with students benefiting from the Bodleian Library (including its world-famous manuscript collection), the English Faculty Library, college libraries, and a rich selection of electronic resources.

Course Structure

Year 1

Courses:

Introduction to English Language and Literature
Early Medieval Literature (650–1350)
Literature in English (1830–1910)
Literature in English (1910–present day)

Assessment:

Three written exams (First University Examination)
A submitted portfolio of two essays for Introduction to English Language and Literature
All exams must be passed, but results do not count towards the final degree classification.

Years 2

Students follow one of two pathways:

Course I
- Literature in English, 1350–1550
- Literature in English, 1550–1660
- Literature in English, 1660–1760
- Literature in English, 1760–1830
Course II
- Literature in English, 650–1100
- Medieval English and Related Literatures (1066–1550)
- Literature in English, 1350–1550
- The History of the English Language to c.1800

Years 3

Courses:

Course I: Shakespeare (may also be taken in Year 2)
Course II: The Material Text or Shakespeare (choice of option)
Both Courses:
- A Special Options paper (chosen from a wide selection)
- An independent Dissertation (8,000 words)

Assessment:

All period papers assessed by final written exams at the end of Year 3
One extended essay for the Special Options paper (submitted end of first term)
Dissertation and Shakespeare/Material Text portfolio (submitted in the second term)

A Typical Week

While the exact teaching format may vary between colleges, most students can expect one or two tutorials (usually with two students and a tutor) and one or two small-group classes of around 8–10 students each week.

Tutorials usually focus on discussing an essay you have written, based on independent reading and research for that week. Over the course of a term, students are typically expected to produce 8–12 pieces of written work. In addition, most students attend several lectures each week to support their studies.

Class sizes differ depending on your chosen options. In college, groups usually range from 6–12 students, while in the department classes are generally capped at 15 students. In some cases, a class may have up to 20 students.

Teaching is primarily delivered by subject tutors, many of whom are world-leading academics with extensive teaching and research experience. In some instances, teaching may also be provided by doctoral-level postgraduate students.

For more information on how the teaching year is organised, please see our Academic Year page.

Academic Requirements

Qualifications:

A-levels: AAA
Scottish Advanced Highers: AA / AAB
International Baccalaureate (IB): 38 points (including core points), with 666 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: Equivalent UK or international qualifications may also be accepted (see university guidance for details).

Where possible, applications are assessed in the context of the educational background and circumstances in which your grades were achieved. Learn more about how contextual data is used.

Subject Requirements

Essential: English Literature, or English Language and Literature (to A-level, Advanced Higher, IB Higher Level, or equivalent standard).
Helpful (but not required): A language or History can support your studies on this course.

Additional Notes

If a practical component forms part of any science A-level used to meet your offer, you will be expected to pass it.
If English is not your first language, you may need to demonstrate proficiency through the university’s English language requirements.
Creative Writing qualifications (regardless of awarding body) are not accepted and cannot be used to meet entry requirements.

Alternative Pathway

If your personal or educational circumstances mean you are unlikely to meet the grades listed above, but you remain strongly interested in the subject, you may wish to apply for the English with a Foundation Year. Visit the Foundation Year course pages for more details on academic requirements and eligibility.

Applying

All applicants must follow the standard application process outlined on the Applying to Oxford pages.

For this course specifically:

Admissions Test: No written test is required as part of the application.

Written Work

Requirement

As part of your application, you must submit a sample of your written work. If you are currently at school or college, this should be:

An analytical essay in the field of English Literature
Produced as part of your regular school or college work
Marked by a teacher (not rewritten after marking)
No longer than 2,000 words

Acceptable submissions include timed essays, critical commentaries, or excerpts from coursework/EPQs. Work may be either handwritten or typed.

Cover Sheet

Each piece of written work must be submitted with a cover sheet, which should:

Describe the circumstances under which the work was produced
Be completed by both you and your teacher

If submitting an excerpt from a longer piece, explain its context on the cover sheet.

Mature and Post-Qualification Applicants

You may submit a new piece of work to better reflect your current ability. If the work cannot be marked, please use the cover sheet to explain the circumstances.

Submission Deadline

10 November 2025
Full guidance and the cover sheet template are available on the Written Work page of the English website.

What Tutors Are Looking For

Tutors use written work to assess:

Breadth and depth of reading
Analytical and critical skills
Clarity and style of written expression

At interview, the focus is on:

Your enthusiasm for literature
Your response to new ideas and material
Your capacity for independent thought

You may be asked to discuss an unseen passage of prose or verse provided shortly before or during the interview. Tutors understand that applicants may feel nervous and will make every effort to put you at ease.

Careers

Graduates of English Language and Literature course go on to pursue a wide variety of careers. The strong analytical, research, and communication skills developed during the degree prepare students for success in many fields.

Popular career paths include:

Law
Advertising and Public Relations
Acting and Theatre
Publishing and Writing
Politics and Public Service
Teaching and Education
Librarianship and Archiving
Journalism and Media
Management Consultancy
Finance and Business
Further Academic Research

Alumni Stories

In 2021, the Telling Our Stories Better project brought together alumni and current students from the English Faculty to share their experiences at Oxford and their career journeys. Led by Dr Sophie Ratcliffe and Dr Ushashi Dasgupta, and managed by Dr Dominique Gracia, the initiative highlights the diverse paths English graduates take and challenges misconceptions about who studies English and where it can lead.

Fees

For full-time Home undergraduate students, tuition fees are set at the level of the government cap. For the 2025/26 academic year, this cap is £9,535, and this figure is used as the guide annual fee for students beginning their course in 2026.

Please note: This page will be updated once the government confirms final course fee information for undergraduates starting in 2026.

Annual Course Fees (2026 entry):

Home: £9,535
Overseas: £43,600

Further details on fee status eligibility are available on the Fee Status webpage.

Fees are normally subject to annual increases. For more information, please see the university’s guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.

Living Costs

Living expenses at Oxford are often lower than expected, as the university’s college system and extensive resources help reduce costs.

For students starting in 2026, estimated living costs range from £1,405 to £2,105 per month while in Oxford. The academic year consists of three eight-week terms, so most students typically spend just over six months per year in residence.

However, it is recommended to budget for around nine months, ensuring you have sufficient funds to cover essential expenses during the holidays as well.

More detailed information is available on the university’s Living Costs webpage.

Financial Support

Home Students (UK, Irish nationals, and others with UK citizens’ rights*)

A tuition fee loan from the UK government is available to cover course fees in full for eligible students undertaking their first undergraduate degree. This means you do not need to pay fees upfront.
From 2026, Oxford will offer one of the most generous bursary schemes in the UK.
- Support is available for Home students with a household income of around £50,000 or less.
- Additional funding opportunities are available for those with a household income of £32,500 or less.
The UK government also provides living costs support for Home students who meet residency requirements.

* From 1 August 2021, EU, other EEA, and Swiss nationals are eligible for UK student finance if they hold pre-settled or settled status, or if they are Irish citizens under the Common Travel Area arrangement. The type of support you can access will depend on your residency status.

Islands Students (Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
Students from the Islands receive different financial support compared to the rest of the UK. For details, please consult your local funding agency:

States of Jersey
States of Guernsey
Isle of Man

Overseas Students
Information on scholarships and funding opportunities for international students can be found under the Other Scholarships section of the Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page.

Important Notes

If you have already completed a previous undergraduate degree, you will be considered an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student and are not eligible for government or Oxford funding.
There are no compulsory course costs beyond tuition fees and living expenses.

For more information, visit the Fees, Funding and Scholarship Search tool on the university’s website.

Contextual Information

Unistats course data from Discover Uni provides applicants with key statistics about this undergraduate course at Oxford.

For a more complete picture of what studying here is like, we encourage you to explore the information below and browse our website for further insights into student life, teaching, and support at Oxford.

The Oxford Tutorial

Tutorials are at the heart of Oxford’s teaching approach. They are usually held in your college and led by your academic tutor(s), who are both active researchers and experienced teachers. Alongside tutorials, students also learn through lectures, classes, and in some subjects, laboratory or fieldwork. What sets Oxford apart, however, is the personalised attention tutorials provide—something rare at most universities.

A typical tutorial lasts about an hour and usually involves you and one or two other students. You will receive detailed feedback on your prepared work and engage in in-depth discussion of a specific topic. Tutorial partners are normally studying the same subject and focusing on the same material, making the exchange collaborative as well as challenging.

This rigorous and regular academic dialogue fosters critical thinking, sharpens analytical skills, and enhances understanding in ways that lectures alone cannot. Tutorials also allow tutors to closely monitor progress and provide targeted support whenever it is needed.

College Life

Colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s identity and play a key role in its reputation as one of the world’s leading universities.

At Oxford, every student is a member of both their college and their academic department(s), as well as the wider University. This structure combines the resources of a large, world-renowned institution with the support and community of a smaller academic home. Each college brings together staff, tutors, and students, creating a safe and supportive environment where you can focus on your studies, build friendships, and take advantage of the many opportunities Oxford offers.

College Facilities

Although each college has its own character and traditions, most provide similar essential facilities, including:

Porters’ lodge (staffed entrance and reception)
Dining hall
Lending library (often open 24/7 during term)
Student accommodation
Tutors’ teaching rooms
Chapel and/or music rooms
Laundry facilities
Green spaces
Student common room (known as the JCR)

Accommodation

First-year students are guaranteed college accommodation, either on the main college site or in a nearby annexe. Your neighbours will also be new students, making it easier to settle into Oxford life. Accommodation is arranged for you before you arrive.
All colleges offer at least one additional year of accommodation, and some guarantee housing for the entire degree. You may choose to stay in college throughout your course or live elsewhere after your first year—for example, with friends from other colleges.

Support and Community

College tutors primarily guide your academic development but are also available for personal advice.
Additional support is provided by college staff, including welfare officers, who can assist with practical matters, wellbeing, or health concerns.
Peer support is an important part of college life: current students often help new students through mentoring schemes, college “families,” or as trained peer supporters working with the University’s Counselling Service.

University-wide Opportunities

Beyond department-led initiatives, you can also explore the Outreach Event Calendar, which highlights upcoming events across the University, including subject and college activities.

In addition, there are many resources to support supercurricular engagement (learning beyond the classroom) for all ages:

Digital Resource Hub – a collection of online resources created by the University
Suggested Subject Resources – specially recommended materials for further exploration
Oxplore – Oxford’s online learning platform for 11–18-year-olds.

Flagship Outreach: UNIQ

If you are a UK state school student, you may want to explore UNIQ, Oxford’s free flagship outreach programme for students in their first year of further education. UNIQ offers academic residentials in over 30 different courses and gives around 1,500 students each year the opportunity to:

Experience Oxford’s teaching first-hand
Explore student life
Receive tailored support with their university applications

Application Support

Prospective applicants can also register to receive step-by-step guidance with their Oxford application.

Find out more about Oxford’s widening access initiatives and discover other ways to connect with us before applying.