The Diploma of Letters (English) requires the equivalent of one year of full-time study. It is only offered as an exit award for students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Letters (English).

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.

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
  • furnish 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

Learning outcomes 

On the completion of the Diploma 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
  • demonstrate cognitive and communication skills to analyse critically different texts in a range of situations and contexts and communicate effectively in a range of mediums
  • demonstrate skills in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and scholarship.

Program of study

To qualify for the Diploma of Letters (English), a student must complete 36 units according to the following program of study, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

Stream - English

Core topics

22.5 units comprising:

ENGL1101 Approaches to Literature (4.5 units)
ENGL1102 Literary Interpretations (4.5 units)
ENGL2140 Epochs of English (4.5 units)
ENGL3110 The Big Books 1 (4.5 units)
ENGL3111 The Big Books 2 (4.5 units)

Option topics

Select 13.5 units from:

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)
ENGL2146 The Gothic Tradition (4.5 units)
ENGL2147 Medieval Myths: the Origins of Modern Fantasy (4.5 units)
ENGL3311 Research Methods in the Humanities (4.5 units)
PHIL2609 Philosophy and Literature (4.5 units)