English Language and Literature

Wellington Square, Oxford, GB, Oxford, United Kingdom

Shortlist

# 1QS Subject Rankings

36 monthsProgram duration

81,855 GBPTuition Fee/year

English Language and LiteratureMain Subject Area

Program overview

Main Subject

English Language and Literature

Degree

Study Level

Undergraduate

The English Language and Literature course focuses on the study of writing in English from its origins in Anglo-Saxon England to the literature of the 20th and early 21st centuries. As well as British literature, students can study works written in English from other parts of the world. Studying literature at Oxford involves the development of sophisticated reading skills and of an ability to place literary texts in their wider intellectual and historical contexts. It also requires students to consider the critical processes by which they analyse and judge, to learn about literary form and technique, and to study the development of the English language. In the first year, students will be introduced to the conceptual and technical tools used in the study of language and literature, and to a wide range of different critical assumptions and approaches. At the same time, tutorial work will commence on early medieval literature, Victorian literature and modern literature up to the present day. In the second and third years, students will extend their study of English literary history in four more period papers ranging from late medieval literature to the Romantic age. These papers are assessed by three-hour written examinations at the end of the third year. Students will also produce a portfolio of work on Shakespeare; an essay (or occasionally an examination) relating to a Special options paper with topics based on faculty research expertise; and an 8,000-word dissertation on a subject of choice. Submitted work will constitute almost half of the final assessment for most students. Alternatively, in the second and third years, students can choose to follow their specialist course in Medieval Literature and Language, whose papers cover literature in English from 650–1550 along with the history of the English language up to 1800, with a further paper either on Shakespeare or on manuscript and print culture. Students will also take a Special options paper and submit a dissertation on a topic of their choice.

Program overview

Main Subject

English Language and Literature

Degree

Study Level

Undergraduate

TOEFL

110+

IELTS

7.5+

Cambridge CAE Advanced

191+

A-levels

UCAS Tariff

360+

SQA Advanced

International Baccalaureate

38+

SAT

1470+

ATAR

98.5+

All candidates must also take the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) as part of their application.

Program Duration

3 Years

Starting Month(s)

Jan-2000

Tuition fee and scholarships

Tuition Fee
Scholarships

Domestic Students

Tuition Fee/year

27,750 GBP

Tuition Fee (Out of State)

International Students

Tuition Fee/year

81,855 GBP

Other Expenses

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

A list of available scholarships around the world

A scholarship application checklist

Download Scholarship Guide

More programs from the university

Oxford offers 48 undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, from the traditional sciences through to humanities, law, languages, and fine art. Students can also study joint honors programs such as Philosophy and Theology, and Archaeology and Anthropology.

Undergraduate degrees are usually three years in length and are taught inside the individual college to which students apply. Undergraduate study at Oxford is centered on the weekly tutorial, which is supported by classes, lectures, and laboratory work carried out in university faculties and departments.

The admissions rate for Oxford is 21 percent, which seems high in comparison to Ivy League universities but is a reflection of the English system. The application period runs during the autumn for the following academic year. Applicants register to take a test, and prospective students might have to send in written work alongside the standard completed UCAS form. Shortlisted candidates are then invited to interview, and will know whether they have been successful by the end of the calendar year.

Unlike the University of Cambridge, Oxford does not operate a pooling system for candidates invited to interview. Instead, it’s common for applicants to be asked to stay multiple days in the city (accommodation is provided) and, if there are no places available at their first-choice college, they may also be invited for interviews at other colleges which have less competition for places.

Around 17 percent of applicants are international citizens, and there are no quotas for international students (with the exception of the medicine program). The application process is broadly the same for international students, with Oxford accepting school-leaving qualifications from many different countries. There are, however, additional elements to the application such as English language requirements.

Tuition fees are currently set at the annual UK maximum of £9,250, with loans available from the UK government for the full amount. Loans are also available to cover living costs during the full three years of study. Students from outside the EU are charged a significantly higher tuition fee, of up to £24,000 a year, and an additional £7,570 a year college fee. This does not include accommodation or board.

Terms at Oxford are actually shorter than at other UK higher education institutions, and their total duration amounts to less than half of the year. However, undergraduates are also expected to do some academic work during the three holidays, known as the Christmas, Easter, and Long Vacations.

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Oxford has a reputation for world-leading research, teaching and resources, all within the confines of a uniquely beautiful city. Graduate programs at Oxford are shorter than in many countries, typically lasting only one year for a master’s degree, something which is designed to facilitate swift career progression.

Students belong to an academic department or faculty that provides teaching, supervision and numerous resources to support studies and are assigned an academic supervisor who provides guidance and advice throughout the program. There are taught programs that usually lead towards a master’s qualification, where students study a range of core and optional courses, supported by lectures and seminars. Research degrees at the master's and doctoral level are conferred in all subjects studied at graduate level at the university.

There were over 20,000 graduate applications last year, so getting your application right is absolutely crucial. Candidates must choose their subject carefully and check to see if they have the correct qualifications before submitting an application.

To apply, applicants must complete Oxford’s graduate application form, pay a £75 application fee and upload the following supporting documents: a statement of purpose and research proposal (if applicable), an official transcript of a bachelor’s degree, academic references, and in many cases a portfolio and written work.

International students whose first language is not English will also need to submit an English language test score certificate to prove either standard or higher (depending on the course) level of English proficiency.

The cost of studying at Oxford as a graduate varies depending on the program. In the humanities, this could range from £4,260 (US$5,962) a year for a three-year DPhil (PhD) in music, to £16,230 (US$22,714) for an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies.

Most graduate courses fall within this range of costs. There are a few exceptions however, with the most expensive programs, including business administration, costing up to £77,390 (US$108,307). Likely living costs can be anything up to a further £18,655 (US$26,108) a year on top of the course fees.

Financial aid for graduate students is diffuse in its nature. Some colleges offer their own scholarships, and there are a number of external scholarships available, where organizations offer anything from £1,000 (US$1,400) to the entire cost of tuition.

For British students, the UK government offers a loans scheme for master’s courses, and there are hundreds of charities that make awards to current and prospective graduate students.