The Trent advantage
Whether you are enthusiastic about novels or enjoy the succinctness of critical writing, in English at Trent you can explore the lasting impact of how we write and share stories of the human experience.
Program Description
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.
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
Program Details
- Where can I study?
- Peterborough
- Durham GTA
- Paid Co-op Available
- Durham GTA
- Peterborough
- Degrees offered
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Bachelor of Arts - Honours (B.A. Honours)
- Specialization
- Literary History
- Racial & Social Justice
- How can I study?
- Part time/Full time
- When can I start?
- Fall
- Winter
- OUAC Codes
- REN - Peterborough
- REL - Peterborough Co-op
- ROE - Durham GTA
- RIK - Durham GTA Co-op
Paid Co-Op
Graduate with your degree and 12 months of paid work experience in as little as four years!
Trent's paid co-op is an opportunity for you to gain work-integrated experiential learning that will help you get a head start on your career. The English Literature co-op assists graduating students in achieving a competitive edge while generating experience within a wide range of sectors.
Specifically, paid co-op gives you a chance to obtain 12 months of practical experience on the job, develop or enhance technical skills, explore career options, network with a variety of individuals and organizations, learn from mentors, enhance communication and presentation skills, and develop technical writing skills.
Traditionally there are three co-op work terms of paid employment, each four months long, 35 hours/week, giving students the opportunity to manage well-defined special projects at an organization. With the English Literature co-op, students are encouraged to combine two work terms back-to-back creating an eight-month opportunity with one employer.
Co-opportunities
As a co-op student in English Literature you can explore employment opportunities including:
- Libraries, Museums & Archives
- Media & Communications
- Publishing
- Technical Writing
Career Experience While You Learn
Gain career experience while earning academic credit with guaranteed experiential learning during your program.
You don't have to wait until after you graduate to put your education to work. Every program includes experiential learning opportunities where you will get hands-on professional experience in your field of study.
Featured Experiences
- 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
Opportunities
- Community Research Project
- Field Experience
- Paid Internships
- Study Abroad
- Volunteer Opportunities
Did you know?
Trent is #2 in Canada for Overall Reputation
Trent is #1 in Ontario for Highest Quality
95% of Trent Grads are Employed Within Two Years
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
- A minimum 70% overall final average
- ENG 4U with a minimum of 60%
Program requirements for admittance into co-op:
- A minimum of 80% overall final average
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
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.
Career Paths
A Trent degree opens doors to a rewarding and exciting future, as you use your newfound knowledge to launch your professional career.
Your English Literature degree, along with guaranteed career experience while you learn, prepares you for many possible career paths in a wide range of industries, including:
- Teacher
- Editor
- Journalist
- Speech Writer
- PR Specialist
Featured Career
Publicist
Publicists analyse, develop and implement communication and promotion strategies, information programs, 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.
Did you know?
FULL TUITION FOR 95%+
If you’re a top scholar in Canada entering with 95% or higher you qualify for full first-year tuition!
Scholarships
At Trent University, we believe in rewarding academic excellence. That's why we have recently increased all of our renewable entrance scholarships.
Whether you are coming to Trent from within Canada or across the world, all students are automatically considered for entrance scholarships based on your academic achievement – no application required. Canadian students entering with an average of 95%+ earn full tuition. 80% or higher? You qualify for scholarships valued at over $18,000, with recipients of our most prestigious scholarships earning up to $30,000 over four years. International students are eligible for scholarships valued at up to $12,000 over four years, renewable annually throughout your degree.
Explore Canadian ScholarshipsExplore International Scholarships