Drama and English Literature

Studying Drama and English allows you to explore many aspects of culture, performance and society.

Your Drama modules will develop your practical theatre-making skills, as well as giving you an understanding of the historical and political context of theatre. On the English side of your programme, you will investigate a huge range of literary specialisms, from Old English and Gothic Literature to Poetry and Fantasy. You will explore the ways in which literary culture has engaged with and shaped society and continues to do so today.

At Birmingham you will benefit from internationally renowned research and teaching in both disciplines, as well as unparalleled resources, including those for the study of Shakespeare, through our world-leading Shakespeare Institute.

Why study this course?

Get a Head Start in the Graduate Market - Thanks to our Experience Arts internships and close links with the Birmingham Rep and Royal Shakespeare Company, you could follow in the footsteps of our successful alumni.

Dedicated Campus - With its own library, study areas, studio spaces, design, editing, lighting, sound and stage management work areas, as well as a professionally equipped 200 seat theatre. Our Selly Oak Campus provides everything you need to study, rehearse and perform in a professional setting and get the most out of your degree.

Get on board with the bard – where better to study Shakespeare than in the town where he was born! Make use of our internationally renowned Shakespeare Institute based in Stratford-upon-Avon and collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and take part in fun and interactive study trips, such as this choreography workshop with Movement Director Tom Jackson Greaves.

Active Student and Staff Population – DTALiT, the Department’s own creative community and a wide variety of Drama societies, including everything from our own TV station, to musical theatre groups you’re sure to find something you want to get involved with.

Local Theatre - Birmingham is an ideal place to study Drama as it has one of the highest concentrations of live theatre in the country. It is home to many theatres ranging from the Birmingham Hippodrome and the Birmingham Rep, to the MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) and the Old Joint Stock (which is a pub and a theatre), as well as being within a convenient distance of Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. To learn more about the city of Birmingham visit our Discover Birmingham page.

A City that Values Literature as Much as You Do – Explore Birmingham’s literary scene and get involved with the numerous on-campus writers' groups, including our very own newspaper, radio and TV stations. Delve into the various city-wide literature festivals and take advantage of our exceptional resources, including our special collections and archives in the Cadbury Research Library and the Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library.

11th for Drama in the Complete University Guide 2024

12th for English in the Complete University Guide 2024

26th for English Language and Literature in the QS World University 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.