Why Study English at UWE?
The English curriculum at UWE focuses principally on the Renaissance and Eighteenth Century, the Long Nineteenth Century, and the Twentieth Century.
First-year students are introduced to a broad range of primary and secondary material in a double weighted module unique to UWE titled, Approaches to Literature and Criticism. In addition to this, first year students will also enjoy two equally diverse and challenging modules: Once Upon a Time: Stories, Children and Literature and Beyond the Horizon: Spaces and Places in Literature.
Second-year modules focus on different periods and genres. Reading Forms/Forms of Reading focuses on perfecting close reading skills with regard to three major texts: Paradise Lost, Hamlet and Middlemarch. Other modules include Shakespeare and the Renaissance, Romanticism Unbound, Exploring the Eighteenth Century, Victorian Frictions, The Culture of Dissent: Nineteenth Century American Literature, and British Writing 1900-1950.
In the third year, the Department offers a variety of modules which focus on the current research interests of staff. Consequently these modules are highly specialised, offering the most current, up-to-date, theories and ideas. These modules include: Fiction in Britain since 1970, Gender, Sexuality, and Writing, Poetry and Power, Contemporary American Narrative, Children’s Fantasy Fiction since 1900, Literature and Culture in Britain 1885-1915, Gothic Literature and English Dissertation.
Our tutors are committed to both teaching and research. The Department scored an excellent rating in the Teaching Quality Assessment Exercise, and in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 85% of the Department’s research was rated as either world-leading, internationally excellent, or internationally recognised in terms of its originality, significance and rigour. The Department is highly research active, and has a growing international reputation.
We use a variety of traditional and non-traditional methods of teaching: from formal lectures, seminars, and workshops, to one-to-one tutorials. There is also a wide variety of types of assessment: from essays, examinations and dissertations, to bibliographical exercises, research logs, synopses of academic journal articles and oral presentations. It is of significant benefit to the quality of the Department’s teaching that seminar numbers are kept to a maximum of fifteen students.
Further, we are committed to fairness and have examining and marking procedures which guarantee that students are treated equally; these include systems for anonymous marking and double marking. There is an active Staff/Student Committee that meets regularly to listen to the ongoing concerns of students regarding the overall delivery of teaching and learning.
We are serious about student support, offering academic advice in the form of essay feedback tutorials, study counselling and writing workshops. In addition, all English tutors have an office hour when they are available to help students with their work. There is also a panel of student advisers who offer students academic or personal support, in addition to the university-wide Centre for Student Affairs which provides a range of methods of help, including counselling and careers guidance. Notably, students can access careers advice and support from induction week to three years after they graduate.
Widening Access
The Department of English at UWE values variety among its students, is committed to widening access, and welcomes people from all backgrounds, including non-standard and mature applicants.
If you opt initially for English Single Honours, you may request a transfer to Joint Honours for your Second and Third Years (provided you have studied the required First Year module(s) in the other main subject. Similarly, if you opt initially for Joint Honours including English, you may request a transfer to Single Honours English for your Second and Third Years.
Careers
Graduates in English at UWE have succeeded in entering a wide range of professions in both the public and private sectors, including publishing, journalism, theatre, teaching and lecturing, retailing, marketing, leisure and tourism, the health service, legal services, local and central government.
