Why Bachelor of Arts?
To study literature is to explore humanity itself.
English literature is one of the richest cultural inheritances in human history – and it’s constantly evolving with exciting new voices. Explore complex ideas, debate cultural worth, and confront universal truths about the human condition by examining plays, poetry, fiction and more.
From Shakespeare to Nabokov and contemporary decolonial writers, you’ll analyse a range of styles and genres written in English and build skills in literary analysis, argument and evaluation.
Upon graduating, your advanced writing, analytical thinking, critical reasoning, complex problem-solving, creativity and initiative will set you apart and prepare you for the future workforce.
Overview
With a focus on the increasingly complex challenges facing individuals, communities and societies, our Bachelor of Arts gives you the relevant and transferrable skills and perspectives suited to a range of diverse careers.
Majoring in English literature, you’ll develop analytical and critical thinking skills, complex problem-solving abilities, creativity and initiative. Explore a range of texts from the Elizabethan era to the present day and develop a broad understanding of areas on which literature draws – including history, psychology, science, philosophy and more.
Your study will be underpinned by genuine community and industry engagement. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement to explore professional pathways in sectors aligned with your interests.
Key features
Explore a broad range of literary works ranging from Elizabethan classics to the modern day. - Customise your study plan to create a unique degree with broad expertise.
- Enjoy enhanced flexibility with a wide range of elective choices.
- Undertake a work placement to connect with community and industry.
- Graduate with in-demand skills and knowledge.
- Use your degree as a pathway to further study, including teaching.
What you'll learn
With a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature, you’ll be introduced to the main forms, genres and periods of the English written word. Discover major poetic movements and consider why Shakespeare has remained contemporary in literary theory and practice. To counterbalance the dominance of Western literature, you’ll delve into major modern and contemporary decolonial writers to understand diverse perspectives in English literature.
Explore long-form fiction, Australian stories, and consider how literary understanding has been a driver of social and cultural change. You’ll also study the works of writers of the early twentieth century who dared to war against tradition.
This degree is highly flexible and can lead to a variety of unique career possibilities. Common Core courses provide the collaboration, problem-solving and creative thinking skills that employers are looking for. You can also add a second major to your Bachelor of Arts, and pursue two areas of interest to boost your employment prospects.
Through your studies, you’ll be encouraged to research potential career pathways and sectors that align with your interests and expertise. An internship in your final year will allow you to apply this understanding in a practical setting and gain mentoring and networking experiences.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Anthropology
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Creative Writing
- Environmental Management
- French Studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Geography
- German Studies
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Understanding Literatures in English
|
Course code
LITR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Shakespeare our Contemporary
|
Course code
LITR1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Decolonial Literatures
|
Course code
LITR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Poetic Revolutions
|
Course code
LITR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Futures of the Novel
|
Course code
LITR2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Modernisms and Postmodernisms
|
Course code
LITR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Theory and Criticism of Literature
|
Course code
LITR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Australian Stories
|
Course code
LITR3001
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
French Studies
|
Course code
FRENBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Geography
|
Course code
GEOGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
German Studies
|
Course code
GERMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese Studies
|
Course code
JAPNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy
|
Course code
PHILBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Career outcomes
This degree provides you with versatility and the ability to shape your career, while also preparing you for further study.
You might become an editor, reviewing documents and manuscripts for print. Or you may join a marketing team, working as a content specialist as they launch a new product. You might promote literary and education in an advocacy role for government – or decide to become a novelist yourself, adding your own voice to the English literary heritage.
Other roles may include:
- Arts administrator
- Content manager
- Digital content manager
- Marketer
- Publisher.
This degree also provides a pathway for further postgraduate study or research.
Industry trends
The landscape of the writing and publishing industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Despite the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), it’s projected that demand for librarians, journalists and other writers will grow by approximately 7% in the coming decade (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024).
Now, more than ever, employers are seeking people with high level communication and problem-solving skills, creativity, adaptability and leadership capabilities. As an arts graduate with a major in English literature you will be well placed to meet the demands of the future workforce.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
