English Literature and Film

Our BA English and Film undergraduate degree is characterised by a wide study of literature in the English language and by a rigorous study of film and television in their critical, theoretical, industrial and creative contexts.

The programme introduces you to a broad range of types and periods of literature, with a huge variety of different areas to pursue, from medieval literature to twenty-first-century digital literary culture. These include unparalleled resources for the study of Shakespeare, through our world-leading Shakespeare Institute.

You will gain a comprehensive range of knowledge and understanding of film; competence in practical filmmaking and detailed awareness of and interaction with the industry. Make use of our wide-ranging work-based placements and employability focused modules and graduate with a sought-after experience with the creative industries.

Why study this course?

Develop your love of literature - our staff will support you to you to share in their passion for literary writing of all kinds, from Shakespearean drama to Romantic poetry to postcolonial fiction.

Create in a professional setting – with film studio and editing suites boasting design, lighting, sound and stage management work areas, the University of Birmingham is home to everything you need to get the most out of your degree.

Learn from experienced film industry experts – including filmmakers, camera operators, screenwriters, film editors and film writers and commentators.

Personalise your degree - read and write about the writing and authors that mean most to you: our course gives you the option to study everything from Old English to last year's novels; you can also incorporate optional modules across a vast range of literary genres.

Live and study in a city that values film and literature as much as you do – explore our exceptional resources, including our Cadbury Research Library, consisting of over 200,000 rare books dating from 1471, as well as the Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library. Get involved with the numerous on-campus writers' groups, including our very own newspaper, radio and TV stations and delve into the various citywide film and literature festivals.

13th for Cinematics in the Complete University Guide 2025

26th in the world for English Language and Literature (QS World Subject Rankings 2024)

First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the ‘Course detail’ tab on the University of Birmingham’s coursefinder web pages.