How much reading do English literature students have to do?
English literature degrees involve substantial reading, including set poems, novels, plays and other primary texts, alongside critical and historical scholarship. The amount varies by module and university, but students are expected to complete independent reading, take notes, and prepare for seminars, essays and exams. Some texts may be read closely, while others may be studied through selected extracts.
Key points
- Reading is part of both scheduled teaching and independent study.
- You may need to balance primary texts with academic criticism and contextual material.
- Workload can increase around essay deadlines and examination periods.
Things to check
- The number and length of required texts, and when reading is assigned, differ by course, year and module, so check module descriptions or sample reading lists.