Joint Honours English Degree- how much reading?

Obviously varies per uni and per course, but wondering just how much reading I would be expected to do if i were to start a joint honours degree with English as one of my two subjects.

(I adore analysing lit texts, but extensive reading I do not enjoy as much... maybe an english degree isnt for me?)

Reply 1

The Empire Odyssey

21

Original post by Sushi789

Obviously varies per uni and per course, but wondering just how much reading I would be expected to do if i were to start a joint honours degree with English as one of my two subjects.

(I adore analysing lit texts, but extensive reading I do not enjoy as much... maybe an english degree isnt for me?)

English degree will make you hate reading :wink:

.

There is SOOOO much reading, it's just unbelievable. I underestimated how much reading I have to do just to get a 2:1! It's not even funny.

But if you go to a uni where you can pretty much pick all your modules in 2nd and 3rd year, you won't be so depressed. I hated required reading in my 1st year (just finishing my 1st year now).

Original post by Sushi789

Obviously varies per uni and per course, but wondering just how much reading I would be expected to do if i were to start a joint honours degree with English as one of my two subjects.

(I adore analysing lit texts, but extensive reading I do not enjoy as much... maybe an english degree isnt for me?)

Hello!

I currently study English Literature and History of Art and can tell you that there is a lot of reading- but don't let this put you off from studying English!

In your first year, generally you are introduced to a variety of texts of different eras/styles so there will be a mixture of poetry, prose, plays, long texts and short texts. I must say it did feel strange going from A Level where you would spend months on one text to spending just two weeks on one! First year is designed so that you adjust to degree level more easily and so that you can specialise more in what interests you, in your second and third years.

The amount of reading does at times depend on the module. Usually it can be two weeks on one text or maybe just one week depending on the length of the text, so it can be tough at times. You can be quite tactical when choosing your modules, seeing what texts you will really enjoy, perhaps choosing poetry and avoiding modules with really long mundane texts! Time management is key but if push comes to shove and you're absolutely drowning in work you can choose to focus on texts more than others, just make sure this won't hinder you in the exam or coursework. If you adore analysing texts, you're bound to enjoy studying literature. You need to have a good understanding of a text when studied, but analysation is key for developing ideas and arguments.

I'm not a particularly fast reader myself but I've survived- having just finished my last ever English lit exams!

Feel free to ask any more questions,
Pip, third year English Literature and History of Art :biggrin:

Joint Honours English Degree- how much reading?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you