Are you looking to study English literature but don’t know where to even begin looking? Trying to narrow down your list of universities is difficult, especially when there is so much to consider before applying. If you’re a high achiever and are used to some fierce competition, then here are the best universities for English literature in the UK according to the Complete University Guide!
Best universities for English Literature
- University of St Andrews
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
- University College London
- Durham University
- University of York
- University of Exeter
- University of Nottingham
- University of Warwick
- University of Leeds
1. University of St Andrews
Taking top spot above Oxbridge is The University of St Andrews. It’s is a small university, accommodating between 5,000-10,000 students. With their undergraduate degree, you will have the opportunity to go America! The minimum entry requirements are AABB, and you must have an A in English. This university scored 86% for research quality, so it’s obviously a university to think about as one of the best for English literature!
2. University of Cambridge
Next on the list is the University of Cambridge, one of the best universities in the UK, not just for English literature. The grade boundaries for this course are actually higher, as you need A*AA in your A Levels on top of an entrance exam! The course goes into Shakespeare and medieval literature for the first 2 years, and then branching off into more subjects during the final year. Their library also has around 80,000 books, and famous people in the world of literature such as Sylvia Plath and William Wordsworth studied at Cambridge! It’s definitely one of the best universities for English literature in the UK!
3. University of Oxford
It probably won’t come as a surprise that Oxford is in the top three of the list. The grade boundaries are AAA, and you will also need to complete an admission exam as well. It’s definitely one of the hardest universities to get into for English literature, but Oxford is also one of the best ones out there. According to their website, you may have to write up to 12 pieces of written work per term on a variety of subjects, so obviously it’s a lot of work to keep up with whilst you’re at university! Although if you like to work hard and want to aim high, this is the university for you.
4. University College London
University College London is one of the biggest universities in the UK, and also one of the best universities for English literature. The grade boundaries for this course is AAA, but they also offer a contextual offer of ABB. A lot of the modules they teach at this university are quite traditional, such as Shakespeare and the Victorian period. You can see all of the modules they teach on their website!
5. Durham University
Durham University has the same grade boundaries as Cambridge, being A*AA. However, you don’t have to do an entrance exam for this university, which is always a bonus! The course at Durham is different from both Cambridge and Oxford, as there is more choice in the modules you study. These modules include Jane Austen, American poetry, and even Nonsense Literature!
6. University of York
To get into the University of York, you either need AAA or A*AB. The course is taught through lectures, seminars, workshops, and even film screenings! They scored a 90% on research quality, and also 77% for student satisfaction, both really good figures. York has always been a prestigious university in the UK, and so it’s not a surprise that it made the list for the best universities for English literature!
7. University of Exeter
A typical offer is made for A Level grades AAB, but you might get one if you get a BBB too. The Uni of Exeter has climbed into the top 10 unis for English, up four from last year. You’ll study all the literature greats as well as contemporary works, while also engaging with different types of media such as TV and video games.
8. University of Nottingham
Moving up the table a whopping nine places, the University of Nottingham is now 8th best overall. It also performs as well as Cambridge and UCL for graduate prospects, which is an important consideration for those wanting a career in English afterwards. Some of the key things you’ll study include literature (obvs), drama and performance, medieval languages and literatures and creative writing.
9. University of Warwick
The University of Warwick’s grade boundaries are the same as York’s, which is AAA or A*AB. Some of their modules include American horror story, Ecopoetics, and Alternative Lifeworlds fiction! They definitely have a wide variety, and it’s always nice to be able to pick what you’d like to study rather than having a bunch of compulsory modules. If you’re looking for a more varied and different approach to studying English literature, this is one of the best universities to choose in the UK.
10. University of Leeds
Another one climbing into the top ten this year, the University of Leeds is now one of the best in the UK for English Literature. It scored a 96% overall, and 90% for research quality if this is an area you’re drawn to. On this course, you’ll also have the option to do a placement or study abroad.
But honestly, the best way to get a feel for the university is going to an open day, so you should always go to a few before making any decisions! So these are the best universities for English literature, but make sure you explore others to be fully informed.
FAQs on the Best Universities for English Literature in the UK
Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Durham, Edinburgh, UCL, and York lead the field for English literature, frequently ranking top for course satisfaction and academic reputation.
Courses at these universities typically ask for A*AA–AAA at A-level including English Literature. Highly competitive courses and contextual offers are common search topics for applicants.
Top unis like Durham, Oxford, and Cambridge have high employability—more than 85% are in work or further study within 15 months, especially in media, publishing, and law.
There’s wider inclusion of world literature, post-colonial works, contemporary writing, and interdisciplinary modules—reflecting trending student searches on “English literature modules UK.”
World-class libraries, archival resources, literary societies, writing centres, and creative opportunities define these leading English departments.