(Full time) 2020 start
English Literature and Theatre Studies BA
Overview
This distinctive, flexible and varied degree combines workshop-based practical theatre work with the textual study of English literature, allowing you to explore your performance from both creative and critical perspectives.
You’ll study literature from Old English to the contemporary period, including American and postcolonial literature. You'll have the opportunity to integrate your textual and theatrical interests through topics such as stage adaptation and surrealism. Workshops are designed to develop your skills as an artist-researcher, led by our own theatre specialists and guest tutors ranging from emerging theatre companies to internationally acclaimed playwrights.
Our Workshop Theatre has been pioneering theatre studies since 1968 and counts among its alumni leading theatre practitioners, dramatists and educators. With us, you’ll develop collaborative, creative, critical thinking and project management skills that will benefit you in a wide range of careers. Find out more about the workshop theatre.
Specialist facilities
Leeds has fantastic facilities for literature and theatre students. The world-class Brotherton Library has an array of archive, manuscript and early printed material in its Special Collections, alongside other extensive library resources. All of this will be valuable for your independent research, and the University Library offers training programmes to help you make the most of our resources.
The University also has four performance and rehearsal spaces, fully equipped with lighting and sound, which are used for teaching and group work on theatre studies modules as well as performances.
Course content
In your first year you’ll study core modules introducing you to different aspects of literary and theatre studies, including poetry, drama, prose, literary theory and criticism as well as approaches to exploring contemporary theatre practice. This will allow you to develop your skills in analysing text and performance.
Once you have this base of knowledge and skills, you’ll develop them in your second year. Core modules will encourage you to think about the historical context of dramatic texts and how theatre can convey social and political agendas. At the same time, you’ll choose from core modules focusing on literature in different historical periods and select optional modules from the wide range on offer.
You’ll choose from further core modules focusing on different historical periods in your final year, as well as an even broader range of optional modules. You’ll also undertake the Practical Essay, a core module which allows you to become a critical theatre practitioner and work on creating a short piece of theatre.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods so you can benefit from our tutors’ expertise. Small-group teaching is at the heart of what we do. Virtually all of your modules will include seminars, but literature modules are also likely to include lectures and theatre modules include practical workshops. Tutorials and one-to-one supervisions may also be part of some modules, including your practical essay.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We use different forms of assessment to help you develop a wider range of skills. Exams, essays and shorter pieces of writing are among the most common, but practice pieces, performance work and group presentations are also likely to be used in theatre modules. Some modules will also use online exercises such as wikis or podcasts.
We offer plenty of support – for example, you’ll be able to attend extra classes on topics such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique throughout your time at Leeds.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB-AAA including A in English (Literature, Language, or dual Language and Literature).
Other course specific tests:If you are working towards the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in a relevant subject area, we may be able to consider this in addition to your other Level 3 qualifications and may make an alternative offer alongside your standard offer. For example, if you are taking A Levels, we may make you an alternative offer of AAB-ABB at A Level including A in English (Language, Literature, or Language and Literature) and grade A in the EPQ, alongside your standard offer.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. The Access course must follow a Humanities pathway and/or include English modules. An interview and a piece of written work may be required. -
BTEC
We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. -
Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M1 - D3, D3, M1 including D3 in English
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall with 16 - 17 at Higher Level including 6 in English at Higher Level
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 to H2, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 including H2 in English
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AB - AA in Advanced Highers including A in English and AABBB in Highers or A in Advanced Highers English and AABBB - AAABB in Highers
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Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us. -
Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 80% - 85% including 85% in English.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB including English (Language, Literature or Language and Literature) at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £19,500 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
A degree in English Literature and Theatre Studies equips you with a wide range of skills on top of your subject knowledge.
You’ll be an excellent communicator – confident speaking in public and able to present your views clearly, whether verbally or in writing. You’ll be comfortable working independently or in a team. You’ll also have good research skills, and be able to analyse complex information from numerous sources.
Graduates have pursued a wide range of careers. In addition to the theatre, they’ve pursued education, journalism, law, the creative industries, publishing, radio and television, the civil service, administration, business and finance, advertising and marketing, management, social welfare, management consultancy and charity work. Many also go on to postgraduate study.
We are proud to count among our School's alumni many successful directors, actors, and playwrights including:
John Mackendrick; Garry Lyons; John Godber; Charlotte Keatley; Rose Mbowa; Sonny Oti; Chris McCulloch; Mayling Cheng; Marian Orchard; Patrick Mangeni; Anuradha Kapur; Barnaby King; Judith Greenwood; Joyce Lee; Winston Farrell; Bart Sher; Maria Delgado; Victoria Shaskan; Dakshin Bajrange; Terry O'Connor.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.