English Literature

Course summary

Understanding complex ideas, and communicating your arguments precisely, are vital skills in all areas of life. English Literature, a highly regarded Russell Group ‘facilitating’ subject, allows you to develop these skills to a high standard. Studying literature gives you close linguistic awareness and development of logic, together with knowledge and pleasure gained from studying “the best that has been thought and said” in English. Poetry, drama and prose texts are studied with equal weighting and students are encouraged to make cross-genre comparisons. The texts are complex, profound, beautiful, at times shocking and sometimes very funny. You will also be able to pursue your personal literary interests through your coursework. At Mayfield, we have extra-curricular reading groups that introduce students to an even wider range of British and world literature. These are particularly useful for students who will take up this subject at degree level.