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Would I like Lancaster? English

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to maybe apply to Lancaster for English but I haven't had the chance (nor will I likely) to visit - would I like the "vibes"? I have my A levels already, A*A*A*A*, and I'm trying to choose between straight English literature, literature/language (50/50), literature/theatre (50/50) - any insights into these courses? I like the content of all of them equally but I don't really want to use three spaces applying for all of them (or trying to put them all in one personal statement!). I'm a very academic person - I do well under pressure and prefer that sort of environment - and I'm not really into going out or a city lifestyle, but I do like having amenities not too far away. Thoughts?

Thanks guys!
Original post by smellslikeboddah
Hey everyone,

I'm looking to maybe apply to Lancaster for English but I haven't had the chance (nor will I likely) to visit - would I like the "vibes"? I have my A levels already, A*A*A*A*, and I'm trying to choose between straight English literature, literature/language (50/50), literature/theatre (50/50) - any insights into these courses? I like the content of all of them equally but I don't really want to use three spaces applying for all of them (or trying to put them all in one personal statement!). I'm a very academic person - I do well under pressure and prefer that sort of environment - and I'm not really into going out or a city lifestyle, but I do like having amenities not too far away. Thoughts?

Thanks guys!

Hi @smellslikeboddah,

I'm a second-year English Literature and Creative Student at Lancaster and I would definitely recommend the English Literature degree to you!

Although I do a 50/50 split with Creative Writing, the English Literature side of the degree is identical across all combinations. In the first year, we studied a chronological overview of key texts in English literature, looking at key concepts, criticism and theory. In the second and third years, you get to specialise with modules - for example, this year, I'm taking Victorian Literature.

The English department is incredibly friendly and always willing to help, and I've found that they have supported me and encouraged me to challenge myself during my studies.

In terms of the three different degree combinations, have you heard of Lancaster's Part 1 structure? In the first year, you have to study three different subjects. So, for example, if you took a straight English Lit degree, you may have the option to take language, Linguistics or Theatre as one or two minor subjects. You'd study all three subjects equally, and then, at the end of the first year, you can choose to adapt or change your degree depending on how you found your first year. For example, I do English Lit and CW, but I also took French in my first year, which I could have chosen to do as a joint major with English, if I wanted, or completely switch department. Equally, if you do a joint major, but decide that you just want to study English Lit in your second year, that is also an option. You can find out more about the Part 1 system here.

There is also flexibility with changing courses in the first few weeks if you decide that you want to do a different subject or combination (subject to different conditions, evidently). However, I'd recommend chatting to students who study English Language and Theatre on our UniBuddy platform, to get their experiences from their degrees, before making a decision.

You can read my blog here about a week in the life as an English student, and Catherine's blog about her average week as a Theatre student here.

In terms of the university itself, as it is campus-based, all the necessary amenities are on campus, and Lancaster itself is about a 10-15 minute bus ride, so everything is very close by. I'm not a going-out person either, and I would definitely recommend it as a calm but still sociable environment. You can read my Welcome Week blog for different examples of the activities offered for people who don't necessarily like clubbing or going out. Additionally, I'd recommend you check out our other digital content - such as this video about places to study on and off campus - to get a sense of the vibe and the atmosphere.

To sum up the Lancaster atmosphere, I'd say: welcoming, community, friendly, green, collegiate, family.

If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to help!

Maria :smile:
2nd year English Literature, Creative Writing and Practice (placement year)
Student in the Laboratory, Lancaster University
Lancaster University
Lancaster
Visit website
Reply 2
Original post by smellslikeboddah
Hey everyone,

I'm looking to maybe apply to Lancaster for English but I haven't had the chance (nor will I likely) to visit - would I like the "vibes"? I have my A levels already, A*A*A*A*, and I'm trying to choose between straight English literature, literature/language (50/50), literature/theatre (50/50) - any insights into these courses? I like the content of all of them equally but I don't really want to use three spaces applying for all of them (or trying to put them all in one personal statement!). I'm a very academic person - I do well under pressure and prefer that sort of environment - and I'm not really into going out or a city lifestyle, but I do like having amenities not too far away. Thoughts?

Thanks guys!


Could you apply to Oxford or Cambridge?
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hi @smellslikeboddah,

I'm a second-year English Literature and Creative Student at Lancaster and I would definitely recommend the English Literature degree to you!

Although I do a 50/50 split with Creative Writing, the English Literature side of the degree is identical across all combinations. In the first year, we studied a chronological overview of key texts in English literature, looking at key concepts, criticism and theory. In the second and third years, you get to specialise with modules - for example, this year, I'm taking Victorian Literature.

The English department is incredibly friendly and always willing to help, and I've found that they have supported me and encouraged me to challenge myself during my studies.

In terms of the three different degree combinations, have you heard of Lancaster's Part 1 structure? In the first year, you have to study three different subjects. So, for example, if you took a straight English Lit degree, you may have the option to take language, Linguistics or Theatre as one or two minor subjects. You'd study all three subjects equally, and then, at the end of the first year, you can choose to adapt or change your degree depending on how you found your first year. For example, I do English Lit and CW, but I also took French in my first year, which I could have chosen to do as a joint major with English, if I wanted, or completely switch department. Equally, if you do a joint major, but decide that you just want to study English Lit in your second year, that is also an option. You can find out more about the Part 1 system here.

There is also flexibility with changing courses in the first few weeks if you decide that you want to do a different subject or combination (subject to different conditions, evidently). However, I'd recommend chatting to students who study English Language and Theatre on our UniBuddy platform, to get their experiences from their degrees, before making a decision.

You can read my blog here about a week in the life as an English student, and Catherine's blog about her average week as a Theatre student here.

In terms of the university itself, as it is campus-based, all the necessary amenities are on campus, and Lancaster itself is about a 10-15 minute bus ride, so everything is very close by. I'm not a going-out person either, and I would definitely recommend it as a calm but still sociable environment. You can read my Welcome Week blog for different examples of the activities offered for people who don't necessarily like clubbing or going out. Additionally, I'd recommend you check out our other digital content - such as this video about places to study on and off campus - to get a sense of the vibe and the atmosphere.

To sum up the Lancaster atmosphere, I'd say: welcoming, community, friendly, green, collegiate, family.

If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to help!

Maria :smile:
2nd year English Literature, Creative Writing and Practice (placement year)

Thank you so much, this has been very helpful in terms of content! I'm glad uni isnt all going out people haha
Original post by Kerzen
Could you apply to Oxford or Cambridge?

I am looking at applying to Cambridge but I'm not sure I'm good enough so I'd like to have solid back up options too
Reply 5
Original post by smellslikeboddah
I am looking at applying to Cambridge but I'm not sure I'm good enough so I'd like to have solid back up options too


You do have 4 very good A Levels, as far as I can see, which must be a start!

Have you had any thoughts about careers after University or have you not given it any thought?
Original post by Kerzen
You do have 4 very good A Levels, as far as I can see, which must be a start!

Have you had any thoughts about careers after University or have you not given it any thought?

Thank you, it just seems like such a risk and I would like to have some safer options too, especially bearing in mind my GCSEs are quite poor (9999966644).
I would love to go into academia but it seems like such a struggle to have to find your own niche to pursue, but I am currently working in journalism on my gap year and could pursue that, and a law conversion degree also appeals.

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