explore a range of writers from across the globe and every period of history, from the middle ages right up to the present, with the ba english literature course.

the english literature degree will enable students to examine in greater detail authors and genres that they may already know (from tragedy to gothic, from shakespeare and dickens to plath and beckett). but it will also introduce them to aspects of literary studies that may be less familiar to them, from children's literature to publishing studies and the history of the book. 

first year core modules ensure that all students have the advanced skills in literary analysis necessary for undergraduate work. explore the different ways that literary texts respond to their cultural context (genre and context); trace the development of poetry in english over time and across the globe (poetry in english); examine how literary texts accrue new meanings in the process of interpretation (research and criticism). in the second year, choose modules that range from renaissance lyric poetry to contemporary fiction. in the third year, module choices are more diverse and specialized: students can do archive work on studying manuscripts, or look at the politics of literature in writing global justice. 

university of reading's innovative placement scheme gives students the chance to undertake an academic placement in commerce, industry or the arts. students can also take a placement module on languages and literature in heritage, in education, and in the media. students in reading's communications at work module also undertake a short placement to explore the ways in which the skills and knowledge gained in their studies have direct application to the workplace.