English Language and Literature

Explore the English language, its linguistic and literary heritage, significance and future in a diverse and research-intensive learning environment. Learn how words work to shape the world around us and express human experience. 

Throughout this course, you’ll explore richly diverse literary texts across different literary and non-literary genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, speeches, advertising, news, and different discourse types, and will see these in the context of a variety of historical periods, places and cultures. You’ll consider how and why these texts are produced, read, and understood and analyse the impact of their creativity and power. 

You’ll select topics from various modules covering language and literary topics in English from the Middle Ages to today. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to work with expert tutors with a wide range of research interests and develop your digital and communication skills. 

The School of English supports a vibrant community of researchers and creative practitioners. It is home to the University of Leeds Poetry Centre, and we regularly host readings and talks by well-known and emerging contemporary writers. 

The School hosts an annual English language lecture from a prominent language scholar.

We also regularly host readings and talks by well-known and emerging contemporary writers and you’ll have access to a vibrant community of researchers and creative practitioners. The highly respected literary magazine, Stand, is produced in the School, and publishes the best in new and established creative writing.