English
English literature is one of the richest and most demanding intellectual pursuits available in higher education, bringing together close attention to language, historical understanding, critical theory, and imaginative engagement with the full range of human experience. At the University of Aberdeen, you will study in an environment shaped by a long and distinguished tradition of literary scholarship, taught by academics who are also active researchers and, in many cases, practising writers and poets. The university's award-winning library holds literary treasures that give a tangible sense of the depth of that tradition, and a lively programme of literary events adds energy to the academic community.
Over four years of full-time study, you will read widely across periods, genres, and national traditions, from medieval texts to contemporary writing, and from poetry and drama to prose fiction and non-fiction. Critical and theoretical approaches receive sustained attention, and you will develop the ability to construct and defend arguments about texts with rigour and precision. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the experience of studying in another cultural and academic context, which in turn enriches your understanding of how literary traditions develop differently in different places and times.
Aberdeen's four-year Scottish degree structure also allows for breadth in the early years, letting you take courses from other disciplines before specialising. The typical entry tariff is 152 UCAS points.
English graduates develop highly transferable skills in reading, analysis, writing, and communication that are valued across a broad range of careers. Publishing, journalism, education, broadcasting, the arts, heritage, public relations, law, and the civil service are all common graduate destinations. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in literature, creative writing, publishing, or education, and Aberdeen's research environment provides a strong foundation for those who wish to pursue scholarship further.