(BA) Bachelor of Arts
English and Comparative Literature
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
English
BA Q210
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels including B in one essay based subject.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Doug Haynes
Reader in American Literature and Visual Culture
University of Sussex
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To offer a varied, flexible and distinctive curriculum focused on the study of comparative literature in theoretical contexts.
- To enable students to exercise their own judgements across a range of genres and literatures.
- To acquaint students with a range of theoretical and comparative frameworks.
- To enable students to think critically about their own reading and writing.
- To provide the knowledge and skills (creative and intellectual development, critical inquiry and argument, imaginative understanding, written and spoken communication and presentation) to stand students in good stead for more specialised academic study, as well as enhancing their graduate careers.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A range of literatures, from the early modern to the present day, including the understanding of a variety of modes (poetry, fiction, drama)
A2: A range of key approaches to writing from Anglo-American to Caribbean to European.
A3: Major literary and theoretical figures in the field and major literary tendencies or movements
A4: The relationship between literature and culture and an awareness of the writers role in creating cultural change
A5: Key methods of literary analysis and research and writing skills
A6: The function of influence and diverse traditions in understanding comparative literature
A7: Specialised study in the final year in the form of an independent project
Learning methods
1-7 are acquired through lectures, classes, workshops and continually assessed coursework. Classes focus on textual examples and give emphasis to student discussion and/or presentation, preparing argumentative and analytical skills for formal assessment. In addition, students extend and enhance knowledge and understanding of writings they study in classes by independent research.
Assessment methods
Formal assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding (1-7) takes place through coursework essays, presentations, portfolios and group projects.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Show an ability to engage in the practice of comparative criticism and critical writing
B2: Show an ability to reflect critically on their own work and that of others
B3: Read complex texts and comment cogently on them
B4: Reason critically and argue coherently
B5: Think independently and creatively
Learning methods
Learning methods
Intellectual and cognitive skills are initiated through lectures, classes and workshops in year 1 and 2, as well as one-to-one tutorials where appropriate. The seminar- based work of year 3, like that of Years 1 and 2, encourages critical discussion arising from the analysis and interpretation of set texts with an emphasis on being able to reason cogently, argue coherently and present one's own viewpoint persuasively. Year 3 students are guided towards the acquisition of a reflective understanding of their comparative judgements, and the critical positions they and others employ. This is done through in situ feedback (formally and informally, as appropriate) in oral and written presentations, group based critical discussions and the analysis and interpretation of texts.
Assessment methods
Assessment is by coursework essays, presentations, writing assignments, portfolios, and group projects.
C: Practical skills
C1: A vocabulary and a critical and analytical terminology for the analysis of writing
C2: An ability to write on a variety of literatures and modes and genres
C3: A capacity for working independently and under guidance
C4: The use of accepted conventions of presenting essays, references and bibliographies, and an ability to challenge these conventions
C5: An effective style or range of styles to convey a range of responses as readers of literary texts
C6: A range of methods to research projects
Learning methods
Practical writing skills are developed through practice in workshops, group activities and the development of writing skills through peer review and reflective practice and research
Assessment methods
Assessment is by coursework essays, writing assignments, portfolios, group projects and capstone project
D: Key skills
D1: Clear, focussed, relevant and effective written communication and oral communication
D2: Use appropriate IT to research and present material
D3: Basic grasp of numeracy as it relates to literary form eg. sestina
D4: Management of projects and timetables, finding, understanding, organising and creatively processing information
D5: Ability to read an argument in seminar discussion, engage in workshopping constructively, engage in collaborative projects, ability to work in group contexts
D6: Receptivity to feedback
Learning methods
The six relevant key skills are implicit throughout the degree, and are supported in their development by seminar work, feedback on essays, and key skills packages
Assessment methods
Key skills are assessed through coursework and through the participation mark