Education and English Literature BA (Hons)

The University of Winchester

• Engage with concepts and ideas that impact the whole of life through literature and learning
• Explore practical applications of principles such as inclusion and access to education
• Open up a huge range of career opportunities with transferrable skills

Broaden and enrich your mind with an exploration of English Literature while training to inspire others in their learning with Education Studies. Our joint honours course embraces educational themes, ideas and practices through the study of educational theories and philosophies, alongside a deep examination of how literary texts work from historical, theoretical and cultural perspectives.

Our inspiring range of English Literature options spans continents and time periods, from Shakespeare to modern performance poetry, and from 19th-century American literature to young adult fiction. Over three years, you consider and debate the purpose and value of education including concepts such as enabling social change, inclusion, representation, and truth and power as you engage with some of the most exciting and dynamic issues in the current social climate.

In Year 1, the module Studying English Literature increases your awareness of the different ways in which texts can be understood, as you develop skills in critical analysis, research and writing. You can then apply these in World Literature and Intertextuality. These skills are also valuable in Education Studies, where you are invited to explore a broad range of educational themes, concepts, contexts and experiences through the Educators module. Lastly, in the Literacies in Higher Education module, you can finetune those skills while beginning to write ‘the story of you’ at university.

In Year 2, modules such as Education: Social and Political Thought, broaden and deepen your understanding of educational principles and ideas. Next to this, you can choose from a wide range of optional modules including film, culture, technology, fiction and non-fiction, children’s literature, older and modern writings. This prepares you to apply your new knowledge to real-life situations and advanced thinking in Year 3. In your final year, you must complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice, which may combine your subject areas. Alongside this, you can continue to explore your specific interests in fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry, as well as the broad range of educational topics in philosophy, politics, disability and inclusion, early childhood, and more. Throughout all levels, you are guaranteed to learn from passionate and committed staff who help you produce intellectually satisfying essays and presentations and encourage stimulating group discussions. What’s more, we care about your progress and wellbeing. Graduates from this course use the many transferable skills they gain to enter educational roles within public services, business, service industries, libraries, museums and charities. They also become teachers, lecturers, journalists, actors, publishers and producers.