The graduate entry Bachelor of Letters (English) is a 108-unit program for which 72 units of block credit is automatically granted on the basis of completion of a prior bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. The graduate entry Bachelor of Letters (English) may be studied full-time over one year, or the equivalent part-time. 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

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. The Faculty Board may, however, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

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 36 units according to the program of study set out below, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Stream - English

Core topics

18 units comprising:

ENGL1101 Approaches to Literature (4.5 units)
ENGL1102 Literary Interpretations (4.5 units)
ENGL2140 Epochs of English (4.5 units)
ENGL3111 The Big Books 2 (4.5 units)

Option topics

Select 18 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)
ENGL3110 The Big Books 1 (4.5 units)
ENGL3311 English and Creative Writing Research (4.5 units)
PHIL2609 Philosophy and Literature (4.5 units)