Myhandbook - English Language & Literature
Print versionWelcome from the Head of Department
Welcome to the English Department at King’s. I am delighted that you’ve chosen to come here to study and I hope you enjoy your programme. The English Department is a vibrant place to do adegree.
Our student body is diverse and intellectually curious. The Department accepts approximately 100 BA students each year for single and combined honours programmes, and runs a comprehensive programme of masters programmes, with an annual intake of around 150 students. There is a buoyant doctoral programme and students (annual intake of between 15 to 20) researching topics across the full spectrum of English literary and cultural studies.
We also teach students from other departments in the School of Arts & Humanities taking Combined Studies with English or one of our Master’s modules, and about 60 visiting students, mainly from the USA. Our largest group of American students is from the University of Pennsylvania and is accompanied each year by a Professor, who teaches in the department.
We hope that you take full advantage of some of the many things going on in the Department and the College. The Department hosts its own research seminar, with staff and visitors from outside presenting their work, and members of the Department are active in organising a range of other seminars, from medieval to postcolonial and queer studies. There are lecture series you might wish to attend, and other departments also organise a range of similar events. In short, there is a wide range of events to catch your eye, and while you can’t do everything, we encourage you to explore your intellectual interests while you’re here.
We also hope you enjoy studying in the centre of London, with all the advantages that brings with it. The College’s Maughan Library is just off Fleet Street, the University of London Library is at Russell Square, and the British Library is next to King’s Cross/St Pancras. In addition to these major libraries, there a whole range of more specialist libraries and archives that you might find interesting to pursue when it comes to writing your dissertation.
And, of course, London is a great social city – the centre of London’s theatre and film world is all around you, for example, so take the chance to immerse yourself in London’s cultural diversity, too.
The online handbooks will provide you with some of the important information you’ll need throughout the year. If you have any queries along the way, please do ask your course convenor, your personal tutor or the Professional Services staff in the Department Office.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can. Until then, enjoy your time in the English Department and make the most of it.
Professor Josephine McDonagh
Head of Department
We also teach students from other departments in the School of Arts & Humanities taking Combined Studies with English or one of our Master’s modules, and about 60 visiting students, mainly from the USA. Our largest group of American students is from the University of Pennsylvania and is accompanied each year by a Professor, who teaches in the department.
We hope that you take full advantage of some of the many things going on in the Department and the College. The Department hosts its own research seminar, with staff and visitors from outside presenting their work, and members of the Department are active in organising a range of other seminars, from medieval to postcolonial and queer studies. There are lecture series you might wish to attend, and other departments also organise a range of similar events. In short, there is a wide range of events to catch your eye, and while you can’t do everything, we encourage you to explore your intellectual interests while you’re here.
We also hope you enjoy studying in the centre of London, with all the advantages that brings with it. The College’s Maughan Library is just off Fleet Street, the University of London Library is at Russell Square, and the British Library is next to King’s Cross/St Pancras. In addition to these major libraries, there a whole range of more specialist libraries and archives that you might find interesting to pursue when it comes to writing your dissertation.
And, of course, London is a great social city – the centre of London’s theatre and film world is all around you, for example, so take the chance to immerse yourself in London’s cultural diversity, too.
The online handbooks will provide you with some of the important information you’ll need throughout the year. If you have any queries along the way, please do ask your course convenor, your personal tutor or the Professional Services staff in the Department Office.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can. Until then, enjoy your time in the English Department and make the most of it.
Professor Josephine McDonagh
Head of Department