English Literature and Politics

BA Hons

  • UCAS code QL32
  • Entry year 2024 or 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

This course has Clearing vacancies for 2024

Apply now to make the most of your grades at a Top 10 UK university, with guaranteed accommodation in your first year.

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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 6

    6th for Creative Writing

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • 7

    7th for Creative Writing

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

  • 7

    7th for English

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

Why Lancaster?

  • Develop your critical voice through exploring literature alongside a wide range of contemporary political issues
  • Discuss with published literary critics and experts in politics in Britain, Europe, the Middle East and beyond in regular small-group seminars
  • Get involved with our student-run literary journals: Cake, Lux, Flash and Errant
  • Hear from visiting speakers hosted by our Politics Society and at our many literary events, on campus, online and in Lancaster’s historic Castle Quarter
  • Graduate with skills in analysis, communication, and persuasion that will make you stand out in the job market

Explore how both literature and politics address fundamental human questions – such as right and wrong, power, and freedom. Learn to read literature with attention to political themes and explore politics with attention to literary themes. This interdisciplinary programme offers a distinctive way to engage with the skills of analysis and critique.

A fresh approach to understanding the issues of our time

In literature you will explore many and varied social, political and environmental issues. You might, for instance, investigate themes of Englishness and Empire in Dickens, or the strangeness of power and law in Kafka.

In politics, you’ll be guided by experts who actively contribute to national and global policy debates through our in-house research centres like the Lancaster University China Centre. Grappling with a wide range of pressing contemporary issues. from the war in Ukraine to the cost of living and climate crises, you’ll build a future-facing outlook on our world.

Developing your skills and expanding your horizons

Beyond your formal studies, you’ll be encouraged to broaden your perspective through a wide range of events and travel opportunities. In literature, some modules incorporate trips to local theatres, or to the nearby Lake District; and the University offers short study trips abroad – past destinations have included New York and India.

You might also choose to pursue an internship with the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, based in our Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion. This could allow you to build on the analytical skills and political knowledge you develop in your studies by working on a real-world research project. Previous interns have worked on projects with think tanks, charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Careers

The Department of English Literature and Creative Writing offers literature-specific careers workshops, featuring past graduates. And in your first year you’ll choose from a range of mini-module options designed to develop your professional skills, such as Creating a Literary Podcast or Devising a Literary Tour.

Over the course of your degree, you’ll build vital and versatile professional skills, including excellent communication, both written and oral, the ability to critically analyse information, as well as research and creative thinking skills.

You’ll graduate with skills that will be valued across a range of sectors. Some of the careers you might choose to pursue include:

  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • Teaching
  • Civil and Diplomatic Services
  • Politics and policy
  • Publishing
  • Copywriting

You might also choose to go onto postgraduate study, undertaking a Master’s degree or PhD.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also dedicated to ensuring that you graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2024/25 are:

Home International
£9,250 £23,750

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Undergraduate open days 2024

Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
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  • Virtual tour

    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.