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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) English Literature
English literature is a broad, accessible and stimulating subject. If you are interested in reading between the lines and being challenged by new ideas and ways of seeing, then this course is for you. You'll study an exciting range of texts from many different periods and settings, including novels, drama and poetry, and discover multiple approaches for reading and interpreting them. You'll take a fresh look at familiar texts, and this will help you encounter new texts and ideas with confidence. You'll also develop your skills of analysis and communication.
This English literature degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
In Stage 1, you’ll encounter a variety of different times and places and engage with some fascinating people, artworks, ideas and stories. This broad foundation in cultural analysis will help you develop the skills and the confident, open approach you need to tackle more specialist literature modules at Stages 2 and 3.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start your degree with the following:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
You'll study the following:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb

In Stage 2, you'll take a behind-the-scenes look at how stories are made and interpreted across a diversity of periods, from Shakespeare to Ali Smith. You'll analyse and respond to novels, dramas, poems, fairy tales, and short stories, discovering new ways of reading literature.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Literature matters (A240)60Oct
Telling stories: the novel and beyond (A233)60Oct | Feb

In Stage 3, you can focus on two different periods in English literature: from Shakespeare to Jane Austen and from Dickens to the present day. Studying both will provide you with an advanced knowledge of a very wide chronological span of English literature. Alternatively, you can study one of the period-based modules and another that focuses on either creative writing or English language and creativity.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You’ll choose one from:
English literature from Shakespeare to Austen (A334)60Oct
Literature in transition: from 1800 to the present (A335)60Oct | Feb
You’ll complete your degree with one from the list above or one from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)60Oct
Language and creativity (E302)60Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. You’ll need to start your degree in October and can choose to study two 60-credit modules at the same time or start one in October and the other in February.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll study the following:
Literature matters (A240)60Oct
Telling stories: the novel and beyond (A233)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 3
You’ll choose one from:
English literature from Shakespeare to Austen (A334)60Oct
Literature in transition: from 1800 to the present (A335)60Oct | Feb
You’ll complete your degree with one from the list above or one from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)60Oct
Language and creativity (E302)60Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That's one 60-credit module each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
Literature matters (A240)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll study the following:
Telling stories: the novel and beyond (A233)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 5
You’ll choose one from:
English literature from Shakespeare to Austen (A334)60Oct
Literature in transition: from 1800 to the present (A335)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 6
You’ll complete your degree with one from the list above or one from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)60Oct
Language and creativity (E302)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by expert tutors, online activities, and timely feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) English Literature upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 25th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.

6 years
£3,892*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 6 years.
£23,352*
That’s 18% less than the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at most other universities in England.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£28,605
£28,605
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£23,352
£23,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,070
£19,070
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£15,568
£15,568
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,535
£9,535
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£7,784
£7,784
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£28,605
£28,605
£23,352
£23,352
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,070
£19,070
£15,568
£15,568
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,535
£9,535
£7,784
£7,784
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 25/26 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
Employers greatly value the high-level skills gained by studying an English literature degree. Broadly summarised these are skills of creative and critical thinking, analysis, and communication. You’ll also sharpen your IT and writing skills, and develop an ability to assimilate and evaluate relevant information when constructing an argument. These are key skills that are crucial to many different kinds of complex organisations, and are greatly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering, or changing career.
Studying arts and humanities can give entry to a vast range of occupations, leading in many different directions. The breadth of study and the range of material analysed, combined with an adaptable set of transferable skills, are relevant to a wide variety of careers, including:
Many graduate-level jobs, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector, are open to graduates of any discipline.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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