Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
English literature is a broad and accessible subject that is important in its own right and offers connections to a wide range of other kinds of cultural enquiry. This wide-ranging, fascinating degree course draws on a rich variety of texts and approaches, helping to reveal the extraordinary scope of English Literature and its importance in today’s world. You’ll encounter texts from different historical and cultural settings – including translations – in genres from poetry to fiction to film scripts. At Level 1 your studies will be framed within interdisciplinary themes; later, more specialised modules will help you consolidate your understanding of literary history and critical approaches to all the major literary genres. You can also choose creative writing and English language modules as part of your English literature degree. As you progress, you’ll become a more self-aware reader of all kinds of writing, and acquire advanced skills in analysis, evaluation and communication.
Planning your studies
Whether or not you're new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start at Level 1.
For this degree we strongly recommend that you start with the compulsory Level 1 module, The arts past and present (AA100) which will give you a firm foundation for future studies.
As you approach the final stages of AA100, we suggest you seek advice from one of our study advisers about choosing your next module.
You are advised to study Level 1 modules first, followed by Level 2 modules and to complete your degree with Level 3 modules.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). If you have graduated with an OU BA degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 credits. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.
Career relevance and employability
Study of the arts and humanities requires an understanding of human activities in diverse cultural environments and in very different historical circumstances. The breadth of study and range of cultural texts and objects analysed, combined with training in clear thinking and communication, make this degree course relevant to a wide variety of careers, including:
- public administration, local government, the civil service, art institutions, and social services
- advertising, journalism, publishing, creative industries and public relations
- education
- legal work
- business, banking and retail
- human resources
- charities and campaigning.
Employers greatly value the high-level skills acquired by studying an English literature degree – which may be broadly summarised as critical thinking, analysis, and communication. You’ll sharpen your IT, writing, and independent thinking skills, and develop the ability to assimilate and evaluate relevant information in constructing an argument. These are key skills in complex organisations, greatly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering or changing career.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The arts past and present (AA100)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules A102, A103, A150, AZX103
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 2 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Reading and studying literature (A230)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module A210
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- English literature from Shakespeare to Austen (A334)
|
60 |
|
- Literature in transition: 1800 to present (A335)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules AA306, AA316, A300, A361, A319, A421, A430, AZX300
And at least 120 credits, including at least 60 at Level 3, from the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Creative writing (A215)
|
60 |
|
- Worlds of English (U214)
|
60 |
|
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Advanced creative writing (A363)
|
60 |
|
- Children's literature (EA300)
|
60 |
|
- Literature in transition: 1800 to present (A335)
|
60 |
|
- Language and creativity (E302)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules A295, U210, U211, at Level 3 the discontinued modules AA306, AA316*, A300*, A361, A319, A421, A430, E301
* If not counted as an optional module in the group above.
And a maximum of 60 credits of free choice from any OU modules to bring your total number of credits to 360. Within the total, you must ensure that you have at least the required minimum number of credits at each level and no more than 30 from 10- or 15-credit modules.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English Literature degree.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in a minimum of 120 and up to 240 credits from those modules above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification