BA English Literature Education

3 Years On Campus Joint-bachelors Program

Aberystwyth University

Program Overview

This three-year joint honours degree combines rigorous study of English literature—from medieval texts to modern writing—with an in-depth exploration of education: how children learn, how teaching and policy work, and how education shapes society. It’s ideal if you’re passionate about reading, writing, language and culture, and interested in working in educational settings, literacy, learning support or want a pathway into teaching.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: In the first year you’ll begin by exploring foundational literary modules such as Ancestral Voices (EN10220) and Critical Practice (EN11320) while also taking an education module like Children’s Development and Learning (ED14520). These give you strong grounding both in analysing texts and understanding how learners develop.
Year 2: In year two you advance your literary study with modules such as Literary Theory: Debates and Dialogues (EN20120) and further optional literature choices, while continuing the education stream with modules that focus on language development, play and learning or professional practice in education (e.g., Language Development (ED14320)). Here you deepen your understanding of both disciplines and begin connecting them more explicitly.
Year 3: In your final year you’ll select more specialised literature options (for instance children’s literature, queer writing, or nineteenth-century literature) and you’ll take education modules like Special Educational Needs (ED30420) or Children’s Rights (ED30620) — plus you may undertake a major independent project or dissertation. This year is about bringing together your literary analysis skills with your educational understanding.

Focus areas:
“Literary history, literary theory and critical reading; development of learners, educational practice, inclusion, literacy and pedagogy.”

Learning outcomes:
“You will graduate able to analyse a wide range of literary texts and cultural contexts, understand how children and young people learn and develop, reflect critically on educational settings and policies, communicate complex ideas clearly in writing and speech, and apply your interdisciplinary skills in education, literacy, research or policy contexts.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
While this degree is not by itself a teaching qualification (you would still need to complete a teacher-training route such as a PGCE to become a qualified teacher), it provides excellent preparation for educational careers, literacy support roles, publishing, writing, heritage and community education.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The literature and education combination is uniquely positioned: the Department of English & Creative Writing at Aberystwyth is well-regarded for its teaching and research, and the School of Education places emphasis on teaching quality and student development. With transferable skills valued by employers (communication, analysis, literacy, teaching support) this degree gives you a robust foundation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA English Literature and Education at Aberystwyth University, you’ll be stepping into a degree that combines deep literary study with a genuine focus on educational theory and practice — a great choice if you love texts and you’re thinking ahead to teaching or working in educational settings.

Here’s how you’ll gain real-world skills and use university facilities to make your learning practical and dynamic:

You’ll benefit from the strong academic environment of the Department of English and Creative Writing, with modules such as “Ancestral Voices” and “Critical Practice” alongside education-modules like “Children’s Development and Learning”.
At the education side, you’ll engage with topics like “Education, Sustainability and Ethical Citizenship”, “Play and Learning: Theory and Practice”, and “Professional Practice”, meaning you’ll gain insight into how learning works, how to support it, and how to apply it.
You’ll study in small‐group seminar and tutorial formats, which allows you to discuss, reflect and collaborate — essential in developing teaching and communication skills.
The university is adjacent to the National Library of Wales (a copyright deposit library) and you’ll have full access to the central Hugh Owen Library. These resources support your literary research, educational case‐studies and independent projects.
You’ll build transferable skills highly relevant to education and literature: communication, teamwork, time‐management, independent research, and analysing texts and learners.
Because you’re blending literature and education, on successful completion you’re well placed to move into a teacher training route (such as a PGCE) or roles that involve literacy, learning support, curriculum design or educational publishing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This joint honours programme equips you with both deep literary analysis skills and a strong foundation in education and learning practices — making you well suited for roles such as: Secondary School Teacher (English), Literacy Coordinator in schools or community organisations, Curriculum Developer for English/Language Arts, Educational Resource Writer or Publishing Assistant with a focus on learning materials. With the dual focus you’ll be ready to work in schools, literacy programmes, educational charities or publishing.

Here are some key details:

University services: Aberystwyth’s Careers Service provides support from Year 1 — you’ll gain access to work-experience placements, volunteering opportunities in schools and community learning settings. The School of Education and the Department of English & Creative Writing collaborate to ensure you receive strong tutorial support and personal tutoring to build both subject mastery and pedagogical skills.
Employment stats & salary figures: While specific salary data for this exact joint degree may not be publicly broken out, the Department of English emphasises that an English-Literature qualification is considered a “gold standard” for communication-rich roles across sectors including education, publishing and media.
University–industry partnerships (specific): The English department offers access to the National Library of Wales (one of the UK’s Copyright Libraries) right on campus, giving you unique access to archives and texts. The Education component includes opportunities to engage with schools and learning communities across Wales, allowing practical exposure to learning settings.
Long-term accreditation value: With one half of your degree in English Literature (an established discipline with broad recognition) and the other in Education (giving you insight into how learning works, educational policy, literacy development), you gain a combination that employers and further-study programmes recognise as valuable for versatile careers.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates of this programme are prepared to step into education-oriented roles (such as teaching, literacy coordination, educational support) and to leverage their strong communication, analysis and learning-theory skills into sectors like publishing, media, civil service, community and charity organisations. The modules include children’s development and learning, literacy, literary theory and cultural history.

Further Academic Progression:
You could continue your studies after this BA by entering a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) if you aim to become a qualified secondary-school English teacher. Alternatively you might choose an MA in Education (for leadership or specialist learning), or an MA/MSc in Literary Studies, Publishing, Literacy & Language Development, or Curriculum Design — all of which build on your dual strengths in literature and education.