Undergraduate
English Literature
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- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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- Peterborough & Durham GTA
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- Paid Co-op Available
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Humanities & Social Sciences (Arts)
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Peterborough Durham GTA
- Work Experience Paid Co-op Available
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes REN - Peterborough REL - Peterborough co-op ROE - Durham GTA RIK - Durham GTA co-op
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Explore literature through small-group seminars, creative writing, and connections with published authors, while building the critical reading and persuasive writing skills valued across careers.
Customize your English Literature degree around your interests, while studying key historical and contemporary periods, genres, and ideas. Benefit from small-group seminars and creative writing workshops, connect with published authors, produce your own work and gain professional experience, while becoming a thoughtful reader, persuasive writer and creative thinker.
- Connect with acclaimed authors through Trent’s Writers Reading Series, which has welcomed Heather O’Neill, Madeleine Thien, Jordan Abel and Trent alum Yann Martel.
- Publish your own literary work in Chickenscratch, Trent’s annual undergraduate student anthology.
- Learn alongside award-winning faculty in small-group seminars, experiential-learning practicums, and creative writing workshops.
Accelerated Masters
Fast-track your education, by earning your Master’s degree in English (Public Texts) in only 12-20 months of graduating from your Honours B.A.
Program Possibilites
Specialize your studies in English Literature with a focus on a specific field within your degree
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Literary History
Become a historian of the written human experience, studying the evolution of English texts and storytelling from medieval times to modern literature. For English majors considering graduate studies, this specialization provides the foundation to explore a broad spectrum of literary forms and themes – essential expertise for any future scholar, teacher, or author.
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Racial & Social Justice
This specialization introduces students to racial and social justice issues, critical race theory, and literature written by Black, Indigenous, authors of colour, Queer and disabled authors, or people identifying as part of another marginalized group. This specialization will expand your worldview, deepening your understanding of systemic inequity and the representation and expression of diversity through literature, culture, and theory.
Add an Option to your English Literature degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Creative Writing
The ability to think creatively, write effectively, and craft interesting stories are extremely valuable skills for any degree major to possess. Through workshops and writing assignments, this fun and practical option helps you develop new writing techniques, create invaluable writing communities, and build a growing portfolio of work in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and script writing.
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Theatre Studies
Do you have a love for theatre and the performing arts? Combining areas of study from Ancient Greek and Roman Studies, Cultural Studies, English Literature, Indigenous Studies and Modern Languages and Literatures, this multi-departmental emphasis offers you the opportunity to choose credits from a very diverse selection of courses, all rooted in the history of, theory and performance in theatre.
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Languages
As the world becomes increasingly connected, knowing how to communicate in multiple languages can be a valuable asset, opening professional opportunities across the globe. Through this option, students can select a series of engaging courses within a wide variety of languages. Chinese, French, German, Spanish – at Trent you can study them all.
Career experience while you learn
Every English Literature student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Paid Co-op Available
- Graduate with paid work experience completing three 12–16-week work terms in the summer of years two and three, and the fall of year four, all as part of your four-year degree.
- Work in in areas like media, advertising, publishing, or business writing.
Research Opportunities
- Work alongside community-based organizations to explore real-world questions and challenges, applying your learning through collaborative research projects that contribute to meaningful outcomes in the community.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Develop your voice and sharpen your analytical skills through small-group seminars and writing workshops exploring creative forms such as prose, poetry and creative non-fiction.
Study Abroad
- Travel to 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.
- Students have studied at University of Birmingham in England, Yonsei University in South Korea and in Nantes, France.
Internships
- Gain professional workplace experience by working within a business or organization on a paid internship, building career-ready skills, making industry connections, and exploring potential career paths.
Career Paths
- Teacher
- Editor
- Journalist
- Speech Writer
- Public Relations Specialist
In Their Own Words
There was always something new and interesting, that enabled me to expand the kind of literature that I was exposed to and reshaped my definition of English literature.
Hunter MacLean
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 70-75% | 80-85% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students
- Michael Treadwell Scholarship
- Bews Scholarship
- Sylvia Cherney Scholarship
- Department of English Literature Scholarship
- John Gilchrist Memorial Scholarship
- The F. A. Hagar Scholarship
- Heritage Scholarship
- Helen and Barney Sandwell Scholarship
- Robert Chambers Prize
- David Glassco Prize
- Jane McLarty Memorial Prize
- John Pettigrew Prizes
- Barbara Rooke Prize
- Bagnani Undergraduate Awards
- Geoffrey Eathorne Award