English Literature (Co-op Available)
In this uniquely flexible program, you’ll have a chance to pursue your own passions, while being introduced to key historical and contemporary periods, genres, and ideas. Studying literature at Trent will encourage you to develop important skills – in close reading and clear and persuasive writing – that will help you in any career. Learn to pay attention to the imaginative worlds of literature and become a creative thinker and careful communicator, honing your analytical and writing skills in small-group seminars, experiential-learning practicums, and creative writing workshops. Our award-winning faculty will help the literature come alive.
Accelerated Masters
Earn your Master’s degree in English (Public Texts) within one year of graduating with your honours B.A.
Degrees Offered:
- B.A.
- B.A. (Honours)
- B.A. Co-op (Peterborough Only)
Locations:
- Durham GTA
- Peterborough
Specializations:
Resume Boosters:
- Get career ready through the co-op stream, which features 12 months of paid experience earned across three work terms, working in areas like media, advertising, publishing, or business writing
- Travel and study in the literary heritage site or birthplace of your favourite author while gaining academic credit toward your degree through the Barbara Rooke Travel Prize, and receive up to $3,500 in funding to support your travels
- Network with established and acclaimed authors through Trent’s Writers Reading Series – past guests include Heather O’Neill, Madeleine Thien, Jordan Abel, and Trent alum Yann Martel
- Become a published author as an undergraduate, contributing to Chickenscratch, the annual student anthology

"A lot of it is about communication and getting your ideas across, and that is a very valued quality to have in any job"
Career Paths:
Featured
Publicist
This unit group includes specialists in advertising, marketing and public relations who analyse, develop and implement communication and promotion strategies and information programs, analyse advertising needs and develop appropriate advertising and marketing plans, publicize activities and events, and maintain media relations on behalf of businesses, governments and other organizations, and for performers, athletes, writers and other talented individuals. They are employed by consulting firms, advertising agencies, corporations, associations, government, social agencies, museums, galleries, public interest groups, and cultural and other organizations, or they may be self-employed. Agents such as entertainment, literary and sports agents are included in this unit group.
Career Opportunities
- Teacher
- Editor
- Journalist
- Speech Writer
- PR Specialist
- Librarian
- Information Services Consultant
- Translator
- Archivist
- Drama Critic
- Publicist
- Lawyer
- Social Media Manager
- Marketing Executive
Popular Courses:
- Children’s Literature
- Studies in Shakespeare
- Graphic Fiction
- Modern Laughter
- Queer Literatures
- Horror, Terror and the Gothic
- Popular Fiction
- Indigenous Fiction
- Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales
- Creative Non-Fiction Workshop

Admission Requirements
More Requirements
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