Ulster University - Coleraine

English Literature

A dynamic combination of the study of modern and contemporary English literature and the practice of creative writing, this course offers an exciting opportunity to further your love of literature and evoke your creativity. Whether you are a recent graduate, a budding creative writer, a teacher keen to upskill, or returning to education for your own personal development, the variety and breadth of this course will appeal to you.

Pioneering research shapes our teaching. You will benefit from the extensive knowledge and expertise of our academic team as you study a range of novels, poetry, and plays.

Exploration of critical theory and current literary debates will introduce you to how issues such as gender, ecology and psychoanalysis inform the way we read literary texts. A focus on Irish writing in English gives the course a distinctive regional identity, and the creative writing pathway offers you the opportunity to develop individual writing projects under the guidance of published writers.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Applicants must normally have gained an upper second class honours degree or better in English Literature or a related discipline, but applicants with a lower second class degree may also be considered. The degree held must be from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard. Applicants may alternatively hold an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification. They must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Exemptions and transferability

Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that they register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level. No exemption is permitted from the dissertation.

Duration

Full time: One calendar year September - September

Part time:
Two and a half calendar years (five semesters) e.g. September 2016 - January 2019

Full Time: Two modules per semester. Each taught module involves one three-hour lecture/seminar meeting per week for twelve consecutive weeks. Taught modules are scheduled for evenings 6-9pm. Independent study modules involve an equivalent number of study hours, with contact hours arranged with supervisory staff.

Part Time: One module per semester. Each taught module involves one three-hour lecture/seminar meeting per week for twelve consecutive weeks. Taught modules are scheduled for evenings 6-9pm. Independent study modules involve an equivalent number of study hours, with contact hours arranged with supervisory staff.

Careers or further progression

The perfect route towards further study graduates have also been successful in securing a variety of positions within the teaching professions, the publishing industry, freelance journalism and creative writing, bookselling, librarianship, the media, public relations, archival work, marketing, advertising and administration.