English (BA)
Delve into the power of language and literature to understand and shape the human experience.
Why choose this program?
Studying English at Dalhousie teaches you essential written and oral communication expertise valuable in every field of work and helps you develop critical thinking abilities through analysis, reading and interpretation. The study of English broadens your mind, kindles your interest in the world and connects you to the wealth of great literature created in English, both past and present.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic subjects
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
Our curriculum, through a series of period requirements and a necessary focus on close reading, theory, or literary criticism, is designed to convey the historical depth and richness of literature in English and to pass on the basic techniques of the discipline for considering literature critically.
The following English program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Bachelor of Arts with Major in English
Bachelor of Arts with Double Major in English
Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English
Bachelor of Arts with Concentrated Honours in English
Bachelor of Arts with Combined Honours in English
Minor in English
What you will learn
Our English program offers you the opportunity to take a wide range of courses that reflect the diverse nature of English language literature. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing you to match your studies to your interests. You’ll learn about different historical periods, and surprising topics such as fraud, medieval romance, the history of copyright, health, hockey, and nationalism.
Sample courses may include:
Literature: Global Perspective
Writing for University
Pop Culture
Canadian Literature
Mystery and Detective Fiction
Literature and Propaganda
Canterbury Tales
The 19th-Century British Novel from Austen to Dickens
Graphic Novels
Fashioning the Nation: Canadian and American TV, Film, and Fashion
What Is a Book?
Chaucer's Dream Visions and Romances
Our program has been designed to allow students to develop a sense of the shape and scope of English, the allure of its many aspects, the kinds of questions it raises, and the reality of its contact with the world.
Careers
You'll learn essential written and oral communication skills valuable in every field of work as well as critical thinking abilities: textual analysis, logical analysis, reading, and interpretation skills. Dalhousie English graduates are creative, adaptable, culturally aware, and have gone on to do outstanding work in a wide variety of fields.
Future studies could include programs at the graduate level in English, library and information studies, or a degree in law or education.
