English

Studying the rich history and flourishing present of literature can open out into explorations of history, politics, science, and visual media. This provides the critical skills necessary to interpret cultures from the past and shape those of tomorrow. At Southampton you can study everything from medieval travellers’ tales to modern fictions of globalisation.

We are ranked 6th in the UK for English research quality in the Complete University Guide, 2024 and 98% of English graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation.*

A wide choice of modules allow you to explore literary genres and specific periods of literary history, such as fiction, experimental performance poetry, contemporary women's fiction, creative writing and literature and the environment.

To complement your studies you can take part in our Writers in Conversation workshops, or even join one of our 40 student-led performing arts groups. We have partnerships with Chawton House, owned by Jane Austen’s family and now home to a unique collection of women’s writing, and the John Hansard Gallery, which will give you access to archives and artworks.

You'll have the opportunity to study abroad, spending a semester, a summer or even a full year at one of our global partner universities.

Our Digital Humanities facilities will allow you to study and research through cutting edge technology, such as virtual reality, 3D scanners and printers, and a 360 degree fully immersive audio-visual centre.

*(Graduate Outcomes 2020/2021) latest, published 2023