English

Why Pembroke?

The English degree at Oxford is the broadest in the country. You will have the chance to study all periods of Literatures in English, from 650 AD to the present day, and can choose from a wide range of writers and approaches. In Oxford, we are not restricted to set texts; instead, you are encouraged to engage with writings from a wealth of contexts, places, and genres. The tutorial is a chance to explore and challenge ways of reading and interrogating texts and ideas, while drawing on and developing your own interests and expertise. Across your three years, you will encounter Old and Middle English, postcolonial literature and theory, papers on specific authors and topics, critical methodologies for thinking about how texts work, Renaissance drama, and much more. 

Our Tutorial Fellows in English are Professor Lynda Mugglestone, whose expertise centres on the social and cultural history of English (and its representation), and Dr Ushashi Dasgupta, whose research interests include nineteenth-century fiction and the relationship between literature and place. The English team at Pembroke also includes a number of other lecturers, each with their own specialities and areas of expertise.

English at Pembroke is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community with a large cohort of students. We encourage independent study and the development of research and writing skills. Pembroke also has a thriving drama community and JCR Art Committee, both of which can give you the space to consider how your degree works in practice.

What Extra activities do we offer?

Our English society meets twice per term and includes activities ranging from film screenings to talks from external speakers or graduate students. We have an annual subject dinner. Our affiliation with the Oxford Playhouse means that students can benefit from subsidised tickets, and we host the annual News UK Lecture and Tolkien Lecture on Fantasy Literature here at Pembroke.

Could you become an English student at Pembroke?

Due to the breadth of the course, students studying English need to be happy to work and think independently. You should enjoy reading beyond the A Level syllabus. You also need to be skilled at critically evaluating texts, responding to the nuances of language, and constructing a clear argument.

If you are considering this course, please attend an open day where you can meet our tutors and students and find out more.  This is the best way to get a feel for whether you should make an application.  We look forward to meeting you!

Have you considered our joint honours courses?

As well as being taught as a single honours subject, English also forms part of other joint honours degrees, including English and Modern LanguagesHistory and English

English Course Video

English

Why Pembroke?

The English degree at Oxford is the broadest in the country. You will have the chance to study all periods of Literatures in English, from 650 AD to the present day, and can choose from a wide range of writers and approaches. In Oxford, we are not restricted to set texts; instead, you are encouraged to engage with writings from a wealth of contexts, places, and genres. The tutorial is a chance to explore and challenge ways of reading and interrogating texts and ideas, while drawing on and developing your own interests and expertise. Across your three years, you will encounter Old and Middle English, postcolonial literature and theory, papers on specific authors and topics, critical methodologies for thinking about how texts work, Renaissance drama, and much more. 

Our Tutorial Fellows in English are Professor Lynda Mugglestone, whose expertise centres on the social and cultural history of English (and its representation), and Dr Ushashi Dasgupta, whose research interests include nineteenth-century fiction and the relationship between literature and place. The English team at Pembroke also includes a number of other lecturers, each with their own specialities and areas of expertise.

English at Pembroke is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community with a large cohort of students. We encourage independent study and the development of research and writing skills. Pembroke also has a thriving drama community and JCR Art Committee, both of which can give you the space to consider how your degree works in practice.

What Extra activities do we offer?

Our English society meets twice per term and includes activities ranging from film screenings to talks from external speakers or graduate students. We have an annual subject dinner. Our affiliation with the Oxford Playhouse means that students can benefit from subsidised tickets, and we host the annual News UK Lecture and Tolkien Lecture on Fantasy Literature here at Pembroke.

Could you become an English student at Pembroke?

Due to the breadth of the course, students studying English need to be happy to work and think independently. You should enjoy reading beyond the A Level syllabus. You also need to be skilled at critically evaluating texts, responding to the nuances of language, and constructing a clear argument.

If you are considering this course, please attend an open day where you can meet our tutors and students and find out more.  This is the best way to get a feel for whether you should make an application.  We look forward to meeting you!

Have you considered our joint honours courses?

As well as being taught as a single honours subject, English also forms part of other joint honours degrees, including English and Modern LanguagesHistory and English

English Course Video