Entry requirements for the Department of English
Your application will be assessed by a member of the Department who will refer to both your UCAS form and the personal interview that you will have been invited to attend. We typically require 360 UCAS points from three A2 Levels, with an A in English Literature / English Language and Literature. In addition, we welcome well-motivated candidates with non-standard qualifications who demonstrate achievement in literary study.
On this page you can find guideline information about offers typically made to students with British and Irish qualifications. Please note that offers are made to individuals on the basis of merit, and may be higher or lower than those outlined here. Students with qualifications from other countries should consult the International students [new window] section on the main Queen Mary website.
- GCE A-Level (A2)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Access and supporting qualifications
- Scottish Framework Qualifications
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Vocational A-Level
- Degree transfers
GCE A-Level (A2)
We typically require 360 UCAS points from three A2 Levels, with an A in English Literature or combined English Language and Literature at A2 level. We do not count UCAS points achieved in General Studies or Critical Thinking.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
We typically require 36 points overall, with at least 6 points in two subjects at higher level including English Literature and a cognate subject.
European Baccalaureate
85% overall with 8 out of 10 in English.
Access and supporting qualifications
If you are a mature student with no formal qualifications appropriate to the degree you wish to study, you are required to pass an Access to HE Diploma in a Social Sciences, Humanities, or Cultural Studies programme and we ask for you to achieve the Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 15 Level 3 credits (inc English Literature) and Merit in at least 9 Level 3 credits. Kite-Marked or Open College Network validated courses will be considered, but they must be in an Arts and Humanities related discipline, and include a relevant component at A-Level standard.
Scottish Framework Qualifications
360 UCAS tariff points from five Highers (no lower than a B) or three Advanced Highers (combinations may be considered) including A in Advanced Higher English
Irish Leaving Certificate
360 UCAS tariff points from five Highers with an A in English (no lower than a B in any Higher)
BTEC National Certificate
Acceptable only when combined with an A in English Literature/Language and Literature A Level.
Overall Double Award DD required.
BTEC National Diploma
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications. Overall DDD required.
Advanced Diploma
At least an A, plus an A in English Literature/Language and Literature A Level
AVCE Vocational A-Levels
We may accept AVCE A-Levels, or the AVCE double award, provided you also achieve a grade A in English Literature or combined English Language and Literature at A2. We typically require a total of 360 UCAS points.
Degree transfers
At the Admissions Tutor's discretion, we may accept transfers into the second year of English and joint honours courses. Transfer students may be asked to take some Level 1 courses as a second year student. We do not accept transfers into the final year of any of our courses. In order to be considered for a degree transfer, you must expect to complete or have completed your first year with marks in the 2:1 range or above. You will also need to provide a reference from a tutor at your current university. If your application is successful you will be credited 120 credits for the first-year courses you took elsewhere.