Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX
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Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:Admissions.Enquiries@RoyalHolloway.ac.uk
Phone:01784 414944
English and American Literature
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 21/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
On BA English & American Literature, you will have the opportunity to explore the distinct but interrelated literary traditions of two nations and cultures spanning five centuries, from the early 1600s to the present day. This degree is directly informed by the creative and critical mix of academic experts in the College's top-rated English department.
You will begin the degree with a grounding in the two distinct literary cultures, then you choose options allowing you to explore different periods, genres and topics. In your final year you will continue to follow your own interests, specialising and taking research-based options or writing a dissertation.
You'll be exposed to a wide variety of areas in American literature, including the literature of the first encounter, nineteenth-century and African-American writing, satire, New York School poetry, drama, the urban novel and writing about music and the novella. In addition you can take advantage of an exceptional range of options in English literature, theory and postcolonial literature.
You will have the chance to take courses in other departments, studying American history or film, to broaden your understanding of America and will be offered the chance to study abroad, enhancing your understanding of the USA or another country.
You can go beyond the study of existing literature, with the opportunity to take modules in creative writing and will be taught by academics who have won national and College prizes for teaching and for their publications.
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Gain a grounding in two distinct literary cultures.
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Specific American literature centred core modules.
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Take American history and film modules outside of English.
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Teachers include prize-winning American novelists, Ben Markovits and Douglas Cowie
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The opportunity to study in the USA for one year.
Modules
Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/english/english-and-american-literature.aspx
Assessment method
Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 21/09/2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- QT37
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- QT37
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not acceptedA level
AAB - ABBWhere an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.
Socio-economic factors which may have impacted an applicant’s education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.
Required: A Level Grade B in an essay based subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDDIn a relevant subject including Distinction in all essay based units plus grade A/7 in GCSE English Literature.
Access to HE Diploma
D: 30 credits M: 15 creditsPass with at least 27 level 3 credits at Distinction and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit. All level 3 English studies units must be passed with Distinction. The Access to Higher Education Diploma is only acceptable if you have had a considerable break from education.
Scottish Higher
AAABBIncluding B in an essay based subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDin relevant subject plus A Level Grade B in an essay-based subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
DPlus A Level grades A, B including B in an essay based subject.
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
D*Din relevant subject plus A Level Grade B in an essay based subject.
Scottish Advanced Higher
AAB - ABBAAB including B in an essay based subject.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points6,6,5 at Higher Level including 5 in an essay based subject with a minimum of 32 points overall
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level including H3 in an essay based subject.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.
Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation.
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.
Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £25900 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| International | £25900 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £9,535.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Sponsorship information
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studyhere/undergraduate/feesandfunding/bursariesandscholarships/home.aspx
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