The Bachelor of Letters (English) is a-108 unit program that must be studied concurrently with another Bachelor degree at the University, for which 72 units of block credit will be awarded on completion of the requirements of the other degree. The Bachelor of Letters (English) is normally studied part-time over three years concurrently with the other Bachelor degree, thus adding one extra year to the overall study program. It is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law.

The stream undertaken by the student will be identified on the student’s transcript of academic record and on the parchment presented to the student on completion of the course.

Admission requirements

Students can undertake the Bachelor of Letters if they have been admitted to any bachelor degree of the University.

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The course aims to:

  • equip students with a thorough grounding in the major content and concerns of literature and writing practice throughout the epochs
  • furnishes students with the skills required to apply their learning in educational and professional settings
  • produce graduates who are able to communicate effectively in a range of mediums, and who are able to analyse critically different texts in a range of situations and contexts
  • encourage learning and transferable skills in both independent and collaborative contexts
  • encourage students to connect across boundaries and value ethical behaviour through the study of quality literature and the praxis of creative writing

The course also aims to provide students with:

  • a sound basis of knowledge in their chosen area of study
  • the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired
  • the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways
  • the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • the skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries
  • an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour

Learning outcomes 

On the completion of the Bachelor of Letters (English), students are expected to be able to:

  • apply their transferable skills across a range of professions
  • communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  • have developed their understanding of literature and creative writing throughout the epochs
  • have an understanding of how the cultural and literary merit of literature and other creative works are, and have been, defined
  • communicate an understanding of the interpretation of literary texts

Students will also be expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • a broad and coherent body of knowledge with depth in the underlying principles of their chosen discipline, and as a pathway to lifelong learning
  • initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and scholarship, and ability to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts
  • skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and present a clear exposition of knowledge and ideas
  • critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
  • application of knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability and in collaboration with others.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Letters (English), a student must complete the required program of study for his/her other bachelor degree, and 36 units according to the program of study set out below, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

No topic may be counted towards both the Bachelor of Letters and the student’s other bachelor degree.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Stream - English

Year 1 topics

ENGL1101 Approaches to Literature (4.5 units)
ENGL1102 Literary Interpretations (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

ENGL2140 Epochs of English (4.5 units)

Year 3 topics

ENGL3110 The Big Books 1 (4.5 units)
ENGL3111 The Big Books 2 (4.5 units)

plus an additional 13.5 units from the topics listed below:

ENGL2120 Shakespeare (4.5 units)
ENGL2121 Adaptations: Literature on Screen (4.5 units)
ENGL2130 Crime Fiction and Film: From Poe to the Postmodern (4.5 units)
ENGL2131 Twenty-First Century Literature: Texts and Contexts (4.5 units)
ENGL2133 Vikings and Anglo Saxon Literature (4.5 units)
ENGL2141 Life Writing (4.5 units)
ENGL3311 English and Creative Writing Research (4.5 units)
PHIL2609 Philosophy and Literature (4.5 units)