University of Cambridge campus

Arts & Humanities

BA (Hons) English at University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Programme overview

English at Cambridge gives you a solid foundation in history of English literature, from the medieval period right up to the present day. Get an introduction to different types of writing, prose, fiction, drama and poetry, as well as the chance to specialise and develop your own interests.

Faculty: School of Arts and Humanities  |  Duration: BA (Hons) 3 years, full-time  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Intake: October 2027  |  Location: Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 (Part IA): You take 2 compulsory papers: Practical Criticism and Critical Practice, Shakespeare (assessed by a portfolio of essays submitted in Easter Term). Year 2 (Part IB): You take one compulsory paper (English Literature and its Contexts 1300 to 1550) and a further 3 papers from the following list: Early Medieval Literature and its Contexts 1066 to 1350, English Literature and its Contexts from:, 1500 to 1700, 1660 to 1870. Year 3 (Part II): You take 2 compulsory papers: Practical Criticism and Critical Practice II, Tragedy, which ranges from ancient Greek drama to contemporary writing, You also write a compulsory dissertation of 6,000 to 7,500 words.

Career pathways

When you graduate, you'll have a variety of transferable skills that employers are looking for. You'll have the opportunity to choose from a range of different career options. In recent years, our English graduates have gone on to successful careers in: academia, publishing, teaching, journalism, theatre and film, the charity sector, civil service, law, finance.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum offer: A level A*AA; IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level. Required subjects (A level/IB Higher Level or equivalent): A level/IB Higher Level (or the equivalent) in English Literature; or; A level (or the equivalent) in English Literature and Language. Admission assessment: There is no admissions assessment for this course for the majority of Cambridge Colleges. Check the College admissions assessments page for exceptions to this. Submitted work: You will need to submit 2 pieces of written work.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,050 a year (2027/28). Home fee status; subject to inflationary increases in later years. Source

International applicants: GBP 30,798 a year (2027/28). Overseas fee status University tuition fee, fixed for the course; a separate College fee (varies by College) is payable in addition. Source

Intake: October 2027

Duration: BA (Hons) 3 years, full-time

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