English at Birmingham City University is a subject that encompasses the study of literature, language, drama and creative writing. Ours is a community where each individual is empowered to shape their learning, research and practice in creative, innovative and thought-provoking ways. We are ambitious in our creative and critical practice, in challenging convention and in developing an inclusive curriculum that reflects the distinctiveness of our students.
We take full advantage of our location in Birmingham, and are committed to developing strong links with employers in the city and the West Midlands. Several language and creative writing modules have explicit employer and industry engagement, where you’ll work in collaboration with employers and partners over the course of a semester and be encouraged to adopt industry-standard practices to facilitate connections and links independently with external organisations.
Foundation courses
Our Foundation Years offer you an additional year of study to ensure successful progression to your chosen degree.
View coursesUndergraduate courses
Find out about our range of undergraduate courses, including English and Journalism, and English and Creative Writing.
View courses[00:00:01] Speaker 1 My name is Tia Cullis and I'm a third year English Literature student. If you're thinking of studying English, BCU is the place for you, and that's why my story starts here. English literature was always the thing I was going to choose to do at uni. At the open day of the talks that we had, the information that we got given really made me understand that this was what I wanted to do. My highlight has probably been the modules that I got to take and how they have really influenced and shaped who I am as a person. I took a module that was about work placements, so I got to go the Black Country Living Museum and from there in that placement, it stemmed this kind of love in me for the marketing and from the it's made me realise that that's what I want to do as a career.
[00:00:46] Speaker 2 I'm Ian Taylor, I'm in my first year of my Creative Writing degree. I sort of went from the rural countryside to Birmingham, just this massive new place. I want to tell stories that make sure that the reader knows that they're allowed to love themselves, even if they feel no one else does. And I think a creative writing degree is just going to help that. I believe in the concept of having your own sort of people, and I think by coming to BCU, I've definitely found that I've met so many people that also like reading, that also like doing the things I like doing. You can't get really much better than that when it comes to making connections.
[00:01:22] Speaker 3 My name is Kseniia Yakutina, I'm doing Foundation Year and I'm studying English and Journalism. Before in Ukraine, I lived in a small town and because Birmingham is big, there's lots to see and do, lots of opportunities, lots of new and interesting people. After the invasion of Russia in 2014, there was a programme they opened to give some opportunities for children and I won a scholarship to come to England. And from there my English journey started. I really wanted to have the skill and know what am I doing, how to write and how to do it professionally. I really liked how the programme is built because they do really relevant modules. They have like literature, linguistics and also some of journalism. And it's, it's super interesting for me.
About us
An English degree can open up a whole world of possibilities, from drama and screenwriting, to fast-track graduate schemes and presenting on the radio. Join us at an Open Day and discover where an English degree could take you.
Open Days
The best way to explore what's on offer is to come and see us in person at one of our Open Days.
Book your placeStories started here
Listen to what current students have to say about why they chose BCU as their ideal destination for studying English.
Read their storiesOur Facilities
Take a look around some of the facilities, studios and workshops that you’ll have access to.
Take a lookInstitute of Creative and Critical Writing
The ICCW enriches our creative writing programme through a series of masterclasses and guest author seminars.
More about ICCWResearch
94% of research in English at BCU was judged to be either world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in REF2021.
Learn moreStories started here
Sumaiyya Ravat
My story started at a young age. The passion and emotion I felt for reading at a young age lead me to studying English.
Sumaiyya's storyKseniia Yakutina
My story started in Ukraine, but Birmingham became my new home because of the war. BCU allowed me to continue my passion for English.
Kseniia's storyShirley Harding
My story started when I lost my husband of over fifty years. Grief inspired me to relight my passion for writing and English.
Shirley's story