Literature encompasses the total human experience and comes forth in stories, songs, laments and praise. It draws out the nuances of human nature and imagination and compliments the other arts.
English at Waikato stays relevant by constantly evolving and adapting to newer art forms including film, graphic novel and creative non-fiction.
No matter if you're an English major or just taking a few papers, you'll discover English is about answering deep artistic and aesthetic questions. And the quality you'll get at Waikato is excellent – we're a top 250 QS-rated subject.
You'll be immersed in fiction, plays and poetry and explore its potential to shape our world. You'll also have the choice to specialise in creative writing and learn from award-winning writers as well as have the opportunity to publish in Mayhem, our online literary journal. Your writing will gain clarity and subtlety as you develop your unique voice.
Our teaching staff come from a variety of literary backgrounds and contribute to course learning and cultural life on campus. We also host the annual Frank Sargeson Memorial Lecture to commemorate one of New Zealand's most important writers.
English at Waikato will develop your critical thinking skills and appreciation for English, as well as prepare you to be a creative problem solver in your future career.
Career opportunities
- Creative Writer
- Editor
- Freelance Writer
- Journalist
- Librarian
- Marketing Executive
- Public Relations Executive
Qualifications
Study English in any of these qualifications
Papers
100 level
| Old Worlds - New Worlds | ARTSC110 | 15.0 Points |
| Social Science Theory and Action | ARTSC111 | 15.0 Points |
| Telling the Story | ENGLI100 | 15.0 Points |
| Adaptations | ENGLI101 | 15.0 Points |
200 level
| Global Fictions | ENGLI200 | 15.0 Points |
| Genre Studies: Tropes and Techniques | ENGLI201 | 15.0 Points |
| Shakespeare's Worlds | ENGLI202 | 15.0 Points |
| Applied Writing: Food Writing | WRITE201 | 15.0 Points |
| Creative Writing: Voice and Image | WRITE202 | 15.0 Points |
| Special Topic: Inspiring Work | WRITE203 | 15.0 Points |
| Writing for the Screen | WRITE205 | 15.0 Points |
300 level
| Modern Medieval | ENGL305 | 20.0 Points |
| Creative Writing: Creative Non-Fiction | ENGL314 | 20.0 Points |
| Literary Theory | ENGL316 | 20.0 Points |
| Tragedy | ENGL320 | 20.0 Points |
| The Gothic Mode: Text and Theory | ENGL321 | 20.0 Points |
| Special Topic: Transnational Modernisms | ENGL322 | 20.0 Points |
| Directed Study | ENGL390 | 20.0 Points |
| Work Placement | FASS396 | 20.0 Points |
Prescriptions for the GradCert(Engl) and GradDip(Engl)
A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included English at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Office.
Prescriptions for the PGCert(Engl), PGDip(Engl), BA(Hons) and MA
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in graduate English papers, a student should normally have at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level English papers or all their undergraduate English papers.
To complete a BA(Hons) in English, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally ENGL591) and at least 30 points from papers listed for English.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in English, a student must have completed either:
a) a BA with a major in English (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average in either the best three of their 300 level English papers or all of their undergraduate English papers, or
b) a BA(Hons) in English (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average across all 500 level papers.
Completion requirements for the MA in English vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including a research foundations paper, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.
Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
| The Literature of Trauma | ENGL509 | 30.0 Points |
| New Zealand Literature | ENGL515 | 30.0 Points |
| Special Topic: Medievalisms | ENGL530 | 30.0 Points |
| Special Topic: Literature and the Medicalised Body | ENGL531 | 30.0 Points |
| Creative Writing: Writing and Embodiment | ENGL546 | 30.0 Points |
| Writing, Research and Revision | ENGL556 | 30.0 Points |
| Directed Study | ENGL590 | 30.0 Points |
| Dissertation | ENGL591 | 30.0 Points |
| Dissertation | ENGL592 | 60.0 Points |
| English Thesis | ENGL593 | 90.0 Points |
| English Thesis | ENGL594 | 120.0 Points |
Prescriptions for the MPhil
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
| English MPhil Thesis | ENGL800 | 120.0 Points |
Prescriptions for the PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
| English PhD Thesis | ENGL900 | 120.0 Points |
Level 10
| Doctor of Literature | ENGL990 | 0.0 Points |
Subject links
Subject Requirements
English is available as a major for the BA. English may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
To complete a major in English, students must gain 120 points above 100 level in English, including at least 60 points above 200 level. It is recommended that students intending to major in English include two of ENGL104, ENGL105, ENGL112 or ARTS101 in the first year of their programme of study. One of GERM302 or SPAN305 may be counted towards a major in English.
A specialisation in Creative Writing is available to students majoring in English. To complete this specialisation, students must gain 80 points above 100 level from papers listed for the specialisation, including at least 40 points above the 200 level. The Creative Writing specialisation may be taken in place of a supporting subject. English is also home to the University’s programme in Writing Studies.
Students considering graduate study in English are advised to include a range of modern and historical papers in English in their undergraduate programme of study.
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Documents
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Undergraduate Handbook
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Handbook
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Career Moves
Contacts
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4922
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: engl-fass@waikato.ac.nz
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: engl-grad@waikato.ac.nz