Course details

Summary

Understand how words shape our world

With a Massey BA (English), you can develop your passion for literature, studying how great writing has shaped identity, culture and society.

What is it Like?

Study great texts from the past and present

Massey’s BA (English) offers you thorough coverage of great literature in English, from Shakespeare to the present day. Our courses are taught by active researchers who share your love of literature: they’ll introduce you to amazing writing and the reasons why it matters.

Think deeply about the power of language

A Massey BA (English) gives you tools to understand how literature helps create the world we live in. You’ll explore the ethical and social power of literary language and rhetoric, helping you to think deeply about the world and your place in it.

Get an applied edge

Choose from a select range of courses where you can use your English skills in more creative and applied ways. Choose to expand the horizons of your major by taking a course in creative writing, theatre studies or public and professional writing.

Express your insights

You’ll get excellent training in expressing yourself in a range of written, digital and oral forms. You’ll develop specialized skills in reading and writing that are transferable into any professional career.

Careers

Your love of literature and writing can take you into a range of professions where literacy, critical thinking and communication skills are highly valued. Employers appreciate the ability of BA (English) graduates to research effectively, analyse rigorously and communicate with style.

Through studying English you will develop a set of flexible interpersonal and professional skills that ensure you remain agile and able to take on future opportunities. The career paths you’ll be able to explore include:

• Teacher
• Policy analyst
• Writer, editor, publisher or researcher
• Communicator
• Arts administrator, developer or manager
• Speech writer, travel writer, blogger or reviewer

Requirements

Introduction to English Studies is the only compulsory component to the major. The other 100-level courses introduce you to the more specific elements in the study of English from which you branch out into the more advanced courses depending on your interests and goals.

Major

A major consists of 135 credits in English, including: 139.139; at least 75 credits from List A courses; 30 credits at 200-level; 60 credits at 300-level; and 30 credits at any level from the English schedule.

Entry criteria

Students must have successful completion of a qualification equivalent to the New Zealand Year 13 - NCEA Level 3 University Entrance.

English Language Requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.0 (no band less than 5.5)
• TOEFL iBT score of 80 overall (min 19 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 50 Overall (min 42 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 170