English Language and Literature

94% of our research overall in English Language and Literature was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

Top 100 in the world for English Language and Literature (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)

About the course

Combine your passion for linguistics with your love of literature.

Our English Language and Literature BA enables you to explore the relationship between linguistic structure and its literary heritage – and how language operates in both society and literature.

Our bold, forward-thinking curriculum allows you to study the transformative power of language. We offer a distinctive approach to a radical breadth of literary and non-literary language. There’s an emphasis on close reading, creative and critical writing, and a broad range of linguistic approaches.

Our teaching has involved:

- working with unique archives such as the private letters of Virginia Woolf and Doris Lessing

- field trips to literary landmarks such as Woolf’s house and the Globe Theatre.

You’ll have the opportunity to experiment with your own writing, supported by our experts. They have many links with the creative industries as well as literary events in Brighton, including the poetry series Placeholder and the festival The Coast is Queer. We’ve also previously offered our students career-building experience through schemes – such as Sussex Writes – that bring the power of reading and creative writing to the public.

About Sussex

Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

Location

Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.