Top UK Universities for English Literature Studies

Top UK Universities for English Literature Studies

Table of Contents

Top UK universities for English Literature courses

• Top UK universities for English Literature courses
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Cambridge
  • University of St Andrews
  • University of York
  • Loughborough University
  • Northumbria University
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Birmingham
  • University of Manchester
  • Newcastle University
• Final words

Studying English at UK universities offers an exceptional chance to immerse yourself in the literary traditions and contemporary works of the English language. The UK’s rich cultural heritage and academic excellence make it an ideal destination for literature lovers eager to explore its depths. Through this blog, you would be able to get an insight on the top best UK universities for English literature.

Top UK universities for English Literature courses

1. University of Oxford

The university is considered number one for its English programmes. The University of Oxford retains its prestigious status for English studies that dates back to the 12th century and has created world-class independent writers, scholars and critics in the English language.

Professors and lecturers teaching at Oxford are highly ranked in their area of expertise. The faculty publishes influential research papers that set standards for English literature.

Undergraduate courses:

1. Classics and English 
2. English and Modern Languages
3. English Language and Literature
4. History and English
   

Tuition fees and entry requirements for all the above courses are: 

Tuition Fees	£41,130 for internationals
Course Duration	3 or 4 years
Academic Requirements	AAA in A-levels, AA/AAB in Advanced Highers

• Candidates are expected to have English Literature, or English Language and Literature to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or any other equivalent.
  

Postgraduate Course:

Currently, the university is offering 8 Masters courses in the Faculty of English and Literature. They are: 

1. English (1550-1700) MSt (9 months/full time)
2. English (1700-1830) MSt (9 months/full time)
3. English (1830-1914) MSt (9 months/full time)
4. English (1900-Present) MSt (9 months/full time)
5. English (​650-1550) MSt (9 months/full time)
6. English and American Studies MSt (9 months/full time)
7. English Studies (Mediaeval Period) MPhil (21 months/full time)
8. World Literatures in English MSt (9 months/full time)
   

Annual fees & academic requirements for entry in 2025-26 for above PG courses are mentioned below

Tuition Fees	£41,250 for internationals
Academic Requirements	A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in English literature and/or English language, or exceptionally a related subject
English Proficiency	IELTS minimum 7.5 overall. (no less than 7 in any subject)

2. University of Cambridge

The second university in the list, University of Cambridge also ranks Number 2 in the UK for English (The Complete University Guide 2024). Currently, Cambridge offers both UG and PG courses under the faculty of English and is considered the most prestigious and competitive English programme offered. 

Undergraduate course:

1. English BA (hons) : Full-time, 3-year course, £25,800 per year tuition. (options available for scholarship and discounts)
   

Postgraduate & PhD Course: 

2. MPhil in English Studies : Full-time, 9-month course, £28,824 per year tuition. 
3. MSt in English Language Assessment Full time 2 years course, £14,175 per year tuition

* All fees for Year 1 must be paid in full in order to progress to Year 2

4. PhD in English: Full time/part time (3-4 years/ 4-7 years), research-based, £50,320 annual tuition.

* If you study part-time, the university composition fee will be 60% of the annual full-time fee for 5 years, or 75% of the annual full-time fee for 4 years.

Living Cost	£11,000 to £15,000 per year (depending on lifestyle and choice of international student)
Postgraduate Requirement	IELTS 7.5 (minimum 7 in all subskills), 2.1 in undergraduate course.
For PhD entry	Overall score of 7.5 (a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component) and a Masters Degree (with Merit)

3. University of St Andrews

Ranked first in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2024, the School of English at St Andrews boasts a robust research output and a faculty of leading scholars. Their programmes span a wide array of literary periods and genres, from Anglo-Saxon to contemporary works.

Students can specialise in various fields, including mediaeval and Renaissance literature, 18th-century literature, Romantic and Victorian literature, as well as modern and contemporary creative writing.

English courses offered by the University of St Andrews for upcoming 2025 sessions are mentioned further below.

Undergraduate Courses:

1. English BA (International Honours)
2. English MA (Honours)
   

Duration	4 years (full time)
Starting Session	September Intake
Tuition fees	Not announced yet
Academic Requirements	A-Levels: Minimum ABB, including A in English Literature
English Proficiency	If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability
Scholarship options	Scholarship for Excellence: $6,000 (USD) or $12,000 (USD) towards tuition fees every year.

Postgraduate Courses:

1. Medieval English (MLitt)
2. Creative Writing (MLitt)
3. Playwriting and Screenwriting (MLitt)
4. Shakespeare and Renaissance Literary Culture (MLitt)
5. Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture (MLitt)
6. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with optional specialism (MSc, PGDip, PGCert)

Annual fees & academic requirements for entry in 2025-26 for above PG courses are mentioned below

Duration	1 year (full time)
Starting Session	September Intake
Tuition fees	£25,900 per year
Academic Requirements	A  2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in a subject-related areaFor Bangladeshi degree – a master’s degree  GPA 3.5
English Proficiency	Overall IELTS 7.5 (minimum 7 across all components)
Scholarship	Research Council Scholarships – Offering up to 100% course fees for 3 years15% Recent Graduate Discount