Learn to interpret texts and communicate your understanding
Develop your skill in literary analysis, and gain a specialised understanding of literary texts, forms, genres, and contexts by studying extraordinary works of literature.
You’ll be taught by scholars with international reputations. Courses include closely studying the Victorian novel, gender-queer identities from the Renaissance to the present, the Dark Unknowing in Māori Literature, and a survey of the Gothic.
You’ll develop your ability to tease out competing notions of meaning at play, and to support your own original literary interpretations through closely observed textual detail. A combination of large lecture classes and small group tutorials will give you opportunities to articulate original insights and learn from discussions with other readers.
Why Wellington
Study English literature at a university that has been teaching it since 1899, when Hugh Mackenzie, one of our four founding professors, taught the first classes.
Choose your study path
You can study English Literature as a major or minor in a Bachelor of Arts.
You can study another subject alongside English Literature to open up career opportunities. Complementary subjects include Art History, Literary and Creative Communication, Environmental Humanities, Film, Media Studies, Theatre, and other Humanities and Social Sciences subjects.
You may also study for a conjoint degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts combined with a Bachelor of Laws.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study English Literature at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
English Literature graduates work in a wide range of roles that often involve critical analysis, research, and a high standard of written communication.
FHSS Internship
The FHSS Internship course run by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences helps develop practical workplace experience.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
Brian Fox Scholarship in English Literature
This scholarship is open to students who have completed their first year of study in English Literature.
Claire Palmer-Jones Scholarship
This scholarship is open to women who have completed their first year of study in English Literature.
Jim and Barbara Milburn Scholarship in English
This scholarship is open to students who have completed their first year of study in English Literature.
Other scholarships
We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in History offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in the year following application.
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in English Literature offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka Victoria—University of Wellington in the year following application.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Claire Palmer-Jones Scholarship
This scholarship is open to women who have completed their first year of study in English Literature.
Other scholarships
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
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This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Globally ranked
Our English Literature subjects are ranked in the top 100 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers.
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could continue on to study for a Master’s degree. If you want to do independent research, you could apply to become a candidate for a PhD.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.