QV31: English Literature and History

Welcome to English Literature and History at Newcastle

We are very proud of this wonderful degree and are thrilled you have applied to it. 

With this interdisciplinary degree, you are working in not one, but two brilliant Schools. You have bespoke modules that are co-taught by historians and literary scholars. Your degree is hosted by us in the School of English but you also will be members of the School of History.

If you want to have a rich and well-rounded academic experience on a degree tailored to the two subjects you love, then this is definitely the degree for you.

On this page you will find information about

• Both Schools;
• Each year of the degree;
• Dedicated wellbeing  and academic support;
• Support for you if you have extra challenges such as a disability or caring responsibilities. 

 

Now please enjoy these quick video introductions to both Schools!

In second year

In second year, you are required to do one specialist module designed for you and you choose five modules (two each from History and from English and a free choice with your fifth). It is simple, for example, to combine modules in the history and literature of the same time-period because Stage 2 modules in English are organised by period: Renaissance Literature, Victorian Literature, Modernist Literature and so on.

A feature of this degree is your Stage 2 specialist module. It is called Independent Research Project in Literature and History. It is co-taught by a historian and a literary critic who co-lead your classes. This module is only for students on this degree. It is intended to focus on the literature and history of a particular moment and help you develop your own personal project based on that material. Previous modules have looked at the prose and poetry of the English Revolution of 1642-1649, at oral histories of the Civil Rights movement in 1960s America, and at the literature and history of the Irish Rising of 1916. The aim of the module is to ensure you combine and apply your knowledge and ability in both subjects. 

 

In third year

This builds to your dissertation module at Stage 3 which is again just for students on this degree. It is focussed on your own intellectual interests. Your dissertation will be co-supervised by a historian and a literary scholar and your supervisors will work with you to shape a project driven by a topic you are fascinated by and that allows you to draw on your unique understanding of both disciplines.

You also choose a further four modules from Literature and from History, but one of these four could be an outside module from another subject area if you wish. You have a huge range of choice here from the histories and literatures of the medieval period to the present day.

Getting to know people

You will meet lots of new people in your lectures, your seminars and your study groups.

Study groups are small groups of students asked by their seminar tutor to meet up regularly outside the seminar to discuss their reading and report back to the seminar. These groups are great for getting to know your fellow students. You will also in the first week meet a peer group of new students with a second or third year who will be your Peer Mentor.

You can also meet your fellow students and pursue shared interests by joining the History Society, English Society, Creative Writing Society, the Theatre Society or writing for The Courier.

The Students’ Union hosts events, gigs and has over 200 societies to choose from: perhaps you might like to join the very popular Llama, Alpaca and Goat Society or the Yoga Society? 

Academic Support for Students

If you need extra support to ensure you can fulfil your potential at university, we have services and people you can draw on throughout your degree here. 

All students can avail of two Fellows of the Royal Literary Fund who are professional writers based in the School of English. The RLF fellows are advisors dedicated to developing your writing. You can email them and have one-to-one appointments where you can develop and refine your writing style and argumentation. Students (and staff) have found their guidance extremely helpful in shaping their writing. You will also receive dedicated academic support from personal tutors and library staff in addition to the advice, guidance and support of your lecturers and seminar leaders.

The Library also offers a huge range of resources you can explore at your own pace, drop-in sessions, and advice on how best to use all the academic resources available to you. 

 

Our Royal Literary Fund Fellows

See our range of academic supports including a full academic skills set.

Who can I contact if I need support for my wellbeing?

The School has a colleague dedicated to our students' welfare. Kirsty Robson is a trained social worker who now supports our students' wellbeing. Kirsty explains:

My role as the Student Wellbeing Advisor is to act as a point of contact within the School, to support students in accessing appropriate support and resources to improve and maintain their personal wellbeing. This can be in relation to a wide range of circumstances and difficulties.

 

I offer confidential, one-to-one appointments, a listening ear, advice and support. I can make referrals to more specialised teams within the University, such as Counselling, Finance, and Disability Support.

 

The Student Wellbeing Advisor role is part of the wider Student Health and Wellbeing Services team who offer a wide range of specialised support to students regarding their personal wellbeing. Students can refer themselves directly to that team or can be supported to do this via the Student Wellbeing Advisor.’

 

Support for Disability and Caring Responsibilities

Student Support Plans

Student Support Plans (SSPs) outline adjustments you may need for your studies or assessments because of particular physical or mental health issues with which you have been diagnosed. With your consent, these plans are shared with the academics teaching you so they are aware of your needs in class and during assessment periods.

If you have a pre-existing condition and if you have included that information on your UCAS form, Wellbeing Services will receive that information and be in touch with you once you join us.

If it was not included, you can email disabilityadvisor@ncl.ac.uk to request an appointment at any time in the run up to the September you are hoping to commence study with us. If you have had an issue recently diagnosed then there are a range of people in the School you can contact:  our dedicated Student Wellbeing Advisor, Kirsty Robson, your Personal Tutor whom you meet in Induction Week or the First Year Senior Tutor. If you prefer you can email disabilityadvisor@ncl.ac.uk directly yourself to make an appointment to set up a support plan or revise an existing one.

Carer's Passport 

If you give unpaid care to an adult or child, you are a carer. These demands on your time can be difficult to manage and a Carer's Passport enables you to ask for flexibility in your studies.

Cost-of-Living 

We are acutely aware of the cost-of-living crisis and in particular its impact on students. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you are experiencing financial struggles at any point during your degree or if you simply want some advice on budgeting or managing money from the outset of your degree. We are here to help you. 

Student Support Plans

Carer's Passport

Cost-of-living Support