Art and English Literature

At the University of Reading, you’ll investigate how debates across the creative arts are reflected in dynamic ways across both art and literature, guided by staff from Reading School of Art and the Department of English Literature.

This four-year joint degree is designed to develop your expertise in both subjects, supporting your learning through: 

experimentation and creative enquiry in your practical studio modules

complementary studies to introduce, develop and master your skills and knowledge of art

exploration of the historical range of literature written in English, from the Middle Ages to the present.

Throughout your studies, you'll acquire skills in close reading of texts and artworks, critical analysis and experimentation, and become adept at articulating ideas creatively and persuasively.

These skills will allow you to engage with confidence in professional and public discourse. In your personal and working life, they will enable you to look beyond immediate tasks and problems to wider social, cultural, civic, and global contexts.

Choose BA Art and English Literature at the University of Reading

92% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025, 91.7% of responders from Reading School of Art).

100% of our research in English language and literature is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – English Language and Literature).

We rank in the top 100 for Arts and Humanities globally (joint 92) and 21 in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).

University of Reading ranks 7th in the UK for graduate salary for Creative Arts (based on The Telegraph's analysis of DfE data on the earnings of first degree graduates after five years from English Higher Education Institutions, June 2025).