BA English

Independent study

Distance learning offers you the flexibility to balance your studies with your existing commitments. For the BA English, we supply learning materials which are specially designed for independent study. You will also have access to a significant range of online resources, including a fully supported Virtual Learning Environment and online library.

Study materials

We provide the core study materials you need to complete the degree. These include a Programme Handbook of practical information (such as how to enter exams), subject guides for each course you choose, and past exam papers and commentaries, which give you valuable tips for performing well in exams. Sample study materials are available on Level 4 course pages.

Online support

When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources:

• The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Here, you can access electronic copies of all printed study materials, resources including audio-visual and revision guides, and forums to discuss course material and work collaboratively with others.
• The Online Library. As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.  

Senate House Library  

• If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources.

Tutor groups

When you begin your studies, you will be assigned a tutor group for each Level 4 course. The tutor provides monthly online discussion forums, which run over the course of five months.

For Levels 5/6, you receive a more flexible pattern of support to suit your interests. You’ll be able to participate in subject-specific e-seminars and submit up to four practice essays per year for feedback.

Student Support

We are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all of our students, regardless of which of our programmes you are studying and whether you are studying independently or with a Recognised Teaching Centre.

You will have access to support through:

• The Enquiry Hub – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
• TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.

Assessment

All courses are assessed by an unseen written exam (except ‘Introduction to Creative Writing’, which is assessed by coursework). You also submit a formative piece of work for all Level 4 English courses.

Exams are held in May each year. You can sit these when you are ready at one of our 400 examination centres. A fee is payable to your local centre for hosting the exams.

More about exams.

Goldsmiths brings creative and unconventional approaches to its teaching. Graduates of the University include Damien Hirst, and four other Turner Prize winners.

The Department of English and Comparative Literature draws on the energies and high standards of its academic team, who combine a core of modern specialisms with coverage of literature down the centuries.

Programme Director

Dr Sarah Barnsley is Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Creative Writing at Goldsmiths. Her teaching and research interests lie in American literature, modernism, poetry and creative writing. Dr Barnsley’s current projects include an edition of Mary Barnard’s Complete Poems, a literary biography of May Swenson, and a collection of her own poems.

What qualifications do you need?

For access to the BA English and DipHE English, you will usually meet the following criteria:

• Age 17+ by 30 November in the year of registration
• Satisfy our General Entrance Requirements.
• A Level English (pass) or equivalent.

For access to the CertHE English:

• Age 18+ by 01 September in the year of registration.
• Three GCSEs (at Grade A*-C / 9-4) or equivalent.

For access to individual courses:

• As CertHE except minimum age requirement (17+ by 30 November in year of registration).

Even if you do not meet the standard requirements, we will consider each application on its own merits. Our Admissions Panel will consider whether any alternative/incomplete qualifications or work experience you have are suitable for entry to the programme. If we are unable to issue you an offer for either the BD, DipHE or CertHE routes then if available we will advise on further alternatives such as our International Foundation Programme or on additional qualifications you need to take in order to meet our minimum entrance criteria.

I don’t meet the entry requirements. What can I do?

English language requirements

You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case.

Do I meet the language requirements?

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need  to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.

More about computer requirements.

If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our English degree modules, you may be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award. 

BA English: You may be awarded RPL for up to four Level 4 courses. 

DipHE English: You may be awarded RPL for up to three Level 4 courses. 

You may not apply for RPL for Level 5 and Level 6 courses or via the CertHE English route. 

To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying for the programme. Or, you can submit an online enquiry, if you have already applied. 

You will need to have met the entrance requirements for the programme to be considered for RPL.  

You must have completed the qualification/ examination(s), on which the application for RPL is based on, within the ten years preceding the application. 

We will not consider RPL if you have already entered for the assessment in the module concerned. 

Discretionary RPL 

Your qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can approve RPL. This is known as discretionary RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised.  

Your qualification must be at the appropriate level (equivalent to a UK Level 4 qualification or above) to be considered.  

For your discretionary RPL request to be processed, you will need to provide: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (normally a scanned copy of an official transcript and syllabus of your previous studies) and the discretionary RPL fee. 

You should apply as early as possible to ensure we have sufficient time to review your qualifications and so you can register by the registration deadline. 

Note: All discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified in the year that you apply. We must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated. 

If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.  

How to request RPL 

Additional information about the process of applying for RPL.  

Further information regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations 

The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2024-2025 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase. 

Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page. 

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

The indicative totals reflect average fee increases and assume that you complete your qualification within the minimum time (without resits).

*The online examination administration fee is charged for each examination paper held online, including resits. This does not apply to any coursework submissions. This fee will be charged at the point of exam entry and is in addition to the exam entry fee listed above.

More about programme fees.

See the Course Regulations for more details.

Additional Costs

You may also need to budget for:

• Textbooks (could extend to around £400 per year)
• Exam centre fees, which are paid directly to the venues where you sit your exams.

Sales Tax

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study.

You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.

More on how to pay your fees

Studying English equips you with transferable skills that can be used in a wide range of contexts. You will be able to understand and analyse complex ideas and to present your ideas clearly and logically.

This will give you a sound basis for a career in areas such as teaching, research, advertising and marketing, media and journalism (including radio and television).

What do employers think of our graduates?

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching institution.

You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.

More on the University of London Careers Service