Is BA English literature a good course?
Yes, BA in English Literature is a good course with good scope both in India and abroad.
Are you interested in exploring the culture, history and emotions of different genres of different eras expressed through the power of words? Are you interested in knowing exciting English literature stories, like how Kafka wrote a book within a night? If you are, a B.A. in English Literature is the best field of study for you. It will help you peep into the rich heritage of English literature by time-travelling into Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats, Leo Tolstoy, Emile Bronte and Charles Dickens. They have been luring students into the world of literature for ages.
BA in English Literature is a trendy field of study. It will provide you with a platform for in-depth knowledge about different cultures, improve your writing skills and helps you to grow other career-oriented skills essential for your personal development.
BA in English Literature is a very intense 3-year course of study that encapsulates various genres like novels, drama, poetries, prose, and the history of literature. It also teaches you how to analyze different literature and understand its country of origin. It gives knowledge about summarizing the works of a writer and the art of interpreting poems. It also educates you about the shifts in writing patterns with time. It reflects light on establishing separate genres based on social movements like Realism or Existentialism. You can work as a teacher, scriptwriter, content producer, journalist, copywriter, and many more jobs after earning a B.A. in English Literature: even in the IT sector or digital marketing or sales department. The advantage of a B.A. in English Literature is that it doesn't confine you within the territory of the art; you can build your career in different courses like management, IT sector, law courses, freelancing, etc.
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BA in English Literature is often confused with BA in English, but some fundamental differences exist between the two.
A BA degree in English provides you with a strong understanding of the language. It gives you knowledge about the functioning of the language and its technicalities, like how you can effectively use it for business purposes or communication. It includes grammar, phonetics, and other essential aspects of the language. Literature is just a part of the syllabus where you read some prose and poems. Whereas BA in English Literature is more specific, it teaches only literature: different genres of different eras, their history of origin, development and how to interpret them. It also includes shifts in writing and how writers were influenced by popular social movements like Realism or Existentialism.
Where Can I Study BA English Literature
The syllabus for BA in English Literature varies as per the different universities. Still, they generally cover the history of English literature and literature from other countries. Every semester includes a balanced curriculum of core and elective subjects. You will get to read about Victorian Literature, American Literature, Readings in Gender and Sexuality, History of English Literature, African-American Literature, Women's Writings, Creative Writing, English Poetry, Contemporary Fiction, European Literature, Canadian Literature, Renaissance Texts, Research & Criticism and Literature, Language and Media. The syllabus mainly consists of the great literary works of Shakespeare, Chaucer, John Milton etc.
For the 1st year:
For the 2nd year:
For the 3rd year:
Some of the top universities for BA in English Literature in India are:
To study B.A. English Literature abroad, you need to pass the 10+2 level of your school with at least 50% to 75% marks. Also, sometimes you need specific English language examinations to be cleared before applying for admission to universities abroad. Some of those exams are:
The scores of the examinations mentioned above stay valid for two years. And some universities conduct entrance exams as well.
Apart from the information given above, you are suggested to go thoroughly through the university's official website you want to apply for, as different universities wish to fulfil other criteria.
The education system in universities abroad differs from what we have in India. Thus the foreign course structures attract many students from India. We have compiled a list of the best universities for you. to pursue a BA in English Literature along with their location, program, and course duration to choose the university program that best suits you.
Name of the University or College |
Location |
Program |
Duration |
University of Oxford |
UK |
BA in English Language and Literature |
3years |
Trinity College Dublin |
Ireland |
BA in English Literature |
4years |
The University of Manchester |
Uk |
BA English Language and the English Literature |
3years |
University of Liverpool |
UK |
English Literature BA (Hons) |
3years |
University of Reading |
UK |
Art and English Literature BA (Hons) |
4years |
University of Wollongong |
Australia |
Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) |
3years |
Victoria University of Wellington |
New Zealand |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature |
3years |
University of Pittsburgh |
USA |
BA in English Literature |
3years |
Queen's University |
Canada |
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Language and Literature |
3years |
University College Dublin |
Ireland |
BA (Hons) in English Literature |
4years |
Trent University |
Canada |
BA in English Literature |
4years |
University of Queensland |
Australia |
BA (Hons) English Literature |
1years |
(In the above table the universities are not arranged according to their ranks)
The main thing that comes to mind when a student decides to study abroad is the cost of the course. So here we will try to give you an idea about how much the abroad mentioned above universities will cost you.
Job Role |
Description |
Salary |
Teacher |
Teaching is the most popular career option that people choose after completing a BA in English Literature. You can be a school teacher, go for further studies, do your MA, PhD etc. and become a professor. |
$20,857.60 |
Creative Writer |
Being a creative writer will be the most exciting job if you love to spread magic and weave stories with your word power. |
$53222 |
Editor |
Being an editor means being the most responsible man for a publishing house. You have to go through the proofs, make corrections, make plans for the upcoming programs, review new stories for your newspaper, magazine, book or website, suggest headlines etc. |
$65,020. |
Journalist |
Being a journalist. You have to be engaged in writing journals or articles, proofreading and filing new content for newspapers or magazines. |
$53,939 |
Content Creator |
If you want to become a content creator, you will be engaged in creating entertainment or educational content for both print and digital media or channels. |
$39,721 |
Sales Manager |
You have to lead a team of salespersons, motivate them to achieve and exceed sales forecasts, hire new leads and new people who can sell items well, and ultimately get consumers' needs met. |
$15,000 |
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THROUGH VARIOUS DRAMAS OR NOVELS, the B.A. in an English Literature course will expose you to various literary, social, cultural or political problems, thus making you suitable for a wide range of subjects. The B.A. in English Literature curriculum includes critical thinking, literature analysis, communicative skills, cultural diversity, etc. This will help you develop better career skills, thus increasing your personal growth. Also, this degree will not confine you within the arts domain, and you can quickly try and build your career in the sales department, IT sector or legal courses. Thus a B.A. in English Literature will enhance your value in the job market.
Still unclear about anything? Well, not to worry. Contact AECC and get your queries answered today! AECC is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals who are ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey to achieving your dream.