English Literature | 9 important things you should know!

#1 Understanding English Literature at its core

Literature, in general, is defined as ‘writing with artistic merits.’ It is a broad area of study that attracts students from around the globe. According to the history of literature, it took 1,400 years for curating the English language. Its earliest form was a set of Anglo-Frisian dialects, brought by the Anglo-Saxon invaders to Great Britain somewhere around the 5th century.

#2 Formats that you should know of

While studying English literature courses, you will come across several formats. Some of these standard writing formats include novels, fiction, poetry, and plays. Other different formats are screenplays, non-fiction, song lyrics, and jingles. However, you will also learn about one of the most common formats today – digital content – under English Literature. Digital content includes blogs, web content, copywriting ads, social media copies, and so on.

#3 A little more about the course

While pursuing a BA in English Literature, you will learn how to analyze texts, write using different styles, edit, and much more. Apart from this, you will extensively study the traditional literary texts, and also examine texts of drama, prose fiction, and poetry.

A graduate in English Lit. has ample opportunities, starting from writer and editor to researcher and teacher. That being said, you can also use your bachelor’s graduation degree as the foundation for pursuing an MA in English Literature or stepping into journalism, law, and digital marketing!

#4 Why study English literature?

While many students plan on getting a degree in English Lit. from a university abroad, there are a few who are skeptical about it. If you are confused too, fret not! These points on why you should pursue an English Literature course will clear your doubts –

Reason 1

English Literature is one of the most preferred graduate degree courses internationally. If you study the subject at a university abroad, a much better understanding of the world around you is guaranteed. The exposure will be more than what you would have received in your home country!

Reason 2

English Literature courses provide you with the skills and knowledge to deconstruct and analyze sentences or paragraphs before giving a critical viewpoint. This analytical skill is not just limited to the nuances of English but also helps in various aspects of life.

Reason 3

Also, as an international student studying English Lit., your profile will reflect a strong command and proficiency of the English language to your potential employer.

Reason 4

An English Literature graduate (BA or MA) has a myriad of career options. Become a writer, poet, journalist or make a career in law, education, screenplay writing, etc. Adding to this, if you want to get into a field that is a little more technical, where your analytical skills come into use, you have advertising and digital marketing as your options!

Reason 5

By studying this subject, you can also do a Ph.D. in English Literature and make your career as Historian, Museum Curator, Dramaturg, and so on.

#5 Studying English literature courses: What will you learn?

Now that you know the history of English Literature and the plus points of studying this subject at universities abroad, let’s move on to see what you will learn through this course-

1. How to read different texts and analyze their writing style.
2. Use different types of languages.
3. Learn how to write more concisely, clearly, and analytically in different forms.
4. Learn about American Literature, British Literature, World Literature, and Periods (pre-1800 and post-2000).
5. You will also get to choose your core courses based on the various topics and explore areas of your interests.
6. Gain an in-depth understanding of texts and learn to express your knowledge in writing. 
7. Significantly enhance your understanding of human psychology and behavior.
8. Empathic understanding of multicultural and intercultural competencies.
9. Additionally, engage and understand big-picture thinking that encourages entrepreneurial leadership.

#6 What subjects will you study?

As a literature student, you will study a myriad of subjects, including-

1. English language
2. History of English literature
3. Mass communication and journalism
4. American Literature
5. Indian writing in English
6. Romantic age
7. Modern age
8. New Literature
9. British Literature, Genres, Periods and Movements
10. Non-British English Literature
11. Semiotics
12. Translation and Comparative Literature

Apart from these, there are many more subjects that you will study during your course. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will form the base of the course; and during a master’s degree, you will explore these subjects in depth.

#7 Top universities for pursuing English literature

1. The University of Oxford
2. The University of Cambridge
3. Stanford University
4. Harvard University
5. The University of California
6. Princeton University
7. The University of Edinburgh
8. Boston University
9. The University of Minnesota
10. The University of New South Wales

While the above-listed ones are the top 10 universities to study literature, there are many more that you can explore here!

Each university will have a different curriculum compared to the other one. So, make sure to choose the one that best suits your requirements.

#8 Common documents for admission in English literature

Another key point in the admission process is the documentation. Once you shortlist the universities of your choice, you have to go through their websites for the admission process and requirements. Each university will have a different procedure. However, a few things remain the same, like –

1. The Statement of Purpose
2. The Letter of Recommendation
3. Transcripts
4. Curriculum vitae
5. Proof of language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE test scores)
6. Standard test scores

#9 Books that literature students should read

English Lit. is one of the few degrees that impart knowledge while also making you more analytical, attentive, and appreciative. So before we conclude the blog, we want to share some of the recommended books that every English literature student should read-

1. 1984, by George Orwell.
2. To the Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf.
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde.
4. Tess of the d’Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy.
5. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë
6. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
7. Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh
8. Far from the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy

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Key takeaways

Here are the key points that you should keep in mind –

1. Right from the days of history, English Literature has been a topic of discussion amongst all. And with colleges and universities offering courses on this, more and more students are interested in this degree course. 
2. English Literature is diverse. It’s a broad area of study that offers numerous opportunities.
3. English Literature will enable you to understand and analyze different texts and styles. 
4. Additionally, it will also let you explore various forms of writing, use different types of languages, and understand their meaning in-depth.
5. You have a plethora of options to make your career in – writer (of course), digital marketer, teacher, researcher, historian, journalist, and so on.

Summing up the blog

Studying English Literature courses abroad can be overwhelming for many. If you have concerns, you can always talk to your seniors and known people around who have pursued literature.

Although it may sound easy, getting a clear idea about how you would like to go ahead with your interest in this subject is confusing and tedious.

That is where we come in for you. Our experts help you from A to Z and ensure a seamless transition while studying abroad. Get in touch with us today for more!

FAQs

Q1. Do English literature graduates have an efficient career?

Answer – As a matter of fact, yes! Pursuing a degree in this subject will open a plethora of opportunities for you. You can make a career in novel writing, editing, screenplay writing, journalism, teaching, and so on. In addition to this, you can also be a researcher, museum curator, etc. 

Q2. How can I get into a university abroad to study literature?

Answer – In order to study literature abroad, you have to score well in entrance exams, like GRE. Additionally, you may have to attempt IELTS or TOEFL, depending on the country you want to study in.

Q3.What will I study in English lit?

Answer – Literature students study a myriad of subjects. This includes the history of the English language, American literature, mass communication and journalism, and so on. In addition to this, you will also learn about British literature, the romantic age, the new age, translation coupled with comparative literature, and more.