
Dr Peter Sloane - Programme Leader
Dr Peter Sloane is a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Literature. Peter writes on literature, film, and theatre, and has published books on David Foster Wallace and Kazuo Ishiguro. He is currently working on two edited volumes (Kazuo Ishiguro and Claire Denis), while his new book project explores Literature and Loneliness in the 21st Century.
Academic Staff ListWelcome to BA (Hons) English
Explore a lively and varied collection of texts, from medieval literature and the Renaissance through to postcolonialism and postmodernism, with an English degree at Lincoln. Students will benefit from research-led teaching in all modules, with particular areas of strength in nineteenth-century literature and the literary and visual culture of the 21st century.
The BA (Hons) English course covers poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as less traditional forms of "text" such as life-writing and contemporary television.
Throughout the course students are encouraged to consider literature within a variety of theoretical, historical and cultural contexts. There are opportunities to study texts from a range of historical periods - from the medieval to the modern - from regional and global perspectives.
The broad range of topics enables students to pursue areas of particular interest, while individual research projects are designed to develop critical thinking skills. Students on the course will gain a range of highly transferable skills, including research, writing, and project management.
Literary study at Lincoln is enhanced by talks from visiting speakers and contemporary writers. These have included: the previous Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy; the writer and cultural critic Will Self; TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham; and Andrew Graham-Dixon, a TV presenter, art historian, and Visiting Professor at the University.
How You Study
Many of our English academics are engaged in research which directly informs their teaching. There are particular strengths in 21st Century literature, 19th Century literature, Gothic studies, American literature, and the medieval.
The first year of the course introduces narrative, poetry, drama, popular culture, literary history, and literary criticism. In the second year, students can choose from a range of optional modules that can include Arthur and his Court; Romanticism, Restoration Literature; and Experimental Writing.
Opportunities exist to study abroad for one term during the second year. Students who do so are responsible for any associated travel, accommodation, and general living costs.
In the final year, students have the opportunity to pursue specialist subjects, such as the literature of childhood, ecocriticism, detective fiction, American literature, gothic literature and film, or author-focused modules such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Bronte, or Dickens. They also undertake a dissertation on a research topic of their choice.
Modules are taught through a variety of methods from whole-cohort lectures through small-group seminar teaching to individual tutorials and supervision. Each of these modes is designed to facilitate your learning by developing a range of different approaches to engaging with texts.
In order to "read English" at university, students will be expected to read widely in the subject. This will mean self-guided study and reading in preparation for taught sessions, as will be indicated in the reading lists for each module.
What You Need to Know
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. To help you choose the course that’s right for you, we aim to bring to your attention all the important information you may need. Our What You Need to Know page offers detailed information on key areas including contact hours, assessment, optional modules, and additional costs.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include coursework, such as written assignments, reports or dissertations; practical exams, such as presentations, performances or observations; and written exams, such as formal examinations or in-class tests. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.
Fees and Scholarships
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Course-Specific Additional Costs
Students on this course are expected to obtain their own copies of primary texts indicated for use and discussion in seminars (where available) and will be responsible for any additional costs incurred.
Those who choose to study abroad are responsible for any associated travel, accommodation, and general living costs.
Field Trips are optional and participation on trips will not impact upon grades awarded on this programme. The costs of transport and entry fees, where applicable, are covered by the School. Students are, however, expected to cover their own subsistence costs whilst attending field trips.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
United Kingdom
A Level: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications).
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.
A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.
Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
International
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Study Abroad
Students undertaking this degree have the option to study abroad at one of the University’s partner institutions for one term during their second year. This can provide an insight into alternative approaches to the study of the subject and gives students the opportunity to experience another culture. Those who choose to study abroad are responsible for any associated travel, accommodation, and general living costs.
Field Trips
Field trips organised by the School include visits to Newstead Abbey, former home of the poet Lord Byron, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. These are optional and participation on trips will not impact upon grades awarded on this programme. The costs of transport and entry fees, where applicable, are covered by the School. Students are, however, expected to cover their own subsistence costs while attending field trips.
Our medieval modules typically include sessions working with manuscripts in the archives at Lincoln Cathedral or optional workshops with local artisans on medieval arts and culture.
Students on this course are also able to attend organised activities such as play readings, film showings, and performances.
These optional events aim to enrich the student experience at Lincoln, and they cement the sense of community fostered by the School of English and Journalism.
Research
Our research-active staff are engaged in work which directly informs their teaching. There are particular strengths in 21st Century literature, 19th Century literature, Gothic studies, American literature and the medieval. Current research projects include studies on:
- Shakespeare
- Women’s life writing
- The literature of homelessness
- Ecogothic
- The literature of Brexit
- Detective fiction
- Literature and loneliness
- Ageing in Victorian fiction
- Werewolves in medieval texts
- The reception of William Blake
- Nineteenth-century religious writing
- Literature and the visual
- Women’s writing in the time of Covid
Details about staffs’ research interests and recent publications can be found here.
Students studying English are welcome to attend the numerous research events hosted by the school, which provide opportunities to learn more about the work in which members of staff are engaged, and to hear more about specialist research by visiting speakers. These include events run by the Medieval Studies Research Group, Nineteenth-Century Research Group, 21st-Century Research Group, and the English and Creative Writing Seminar Series.
Students with interests in creative writing and contemporary literature benefit from readings and masterclasses by published authors and other guest speakers in creative industries, such as publishing and journalism. In the past guests have included former Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, Dame Penelope Lively, and Patience Agbabi.
"Staff ensure that students grow in confidence. They nurture students' passion and determination."
Tayler Stevens, BA (Hons) English graduateCareer Opportunities
Graduates can go on to careers in publishing, journalism, advertising, public relations, the civil service, and communications. Some choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level, while others undertake qualifications in teaching.
Visit Us in Person
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to join us for one of our Open Days. Visiting us in person is important and will help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
Book Your Place