About

The Department of English at King's was one of the first English departments in the world and remains world-leading in both research and teaching.

Studying with us means opening yourself up to a world of opportunities. You will gain unique skills in how to communicate well, how to debate and discuss ideas, how to express yourself clearly, and how to respond and engage with feedback – skills which are highly desired by employers in the age of AI.

Our students are taught and supervised by academics whose research encompasses both the traditions of English literature and its latest innovations. Teaching and research spans from the seventh century to the present day and includes literature from English speaking countries across the world.

Long-established partnerships with Shakespeare’s Globe and the British Library further enrich our teaching.

Get in touch

english@kcl.ac.uk

Meet the Head of Department, Dr Hannah Crawforth

Stories are – and have always been – the foundation of society. They help us grasp who we are, where we came from, and what shapes us today. Reading, writing and analysing texts helps us understand the world around us and connect with other people – vital skills in the age of AI.

We all have a real passion for literature, with expertise spanning from medieval times to today. Yet we’re also home to experts outside of the traditional bounds of literature – in medical humanities, performance, and digital culture – showing that we operate at the cutting edge of our discipline.

A commitment to diversity

We seek to ensure a learning environment in which all students and staff – regardless of gender, sexuality, economic background, religion, race, ethnicity, or disability – feel part of an intellectual community where they can thrive. Part of this involves diversifying our curriculum by exploring and challenging assumptions regarding what constitutes ‘English’ as an object and method of study.

We are one of a handful of English departments in the UK to have gained the Bronze Athena SWAN award, which recognises work undertaken to advance gender equality in higher education.