UNESCO City of Literature
Where better to dive into English language and literature than in a UNESCO City of Literature? Not only will you learn from one of the best English departments in the world, but you’ll also get to connect with a diverse, lively literary community.
It’s the perfect place to expand your knowledge, build lasting connections, and become part of a tradition that celebrates the power of storytelling.
Our literary heritage
Nottingham is famous worldwide as the home of Robin Hood, but it’s also a city full of stories and history. Over the years, it’s inspired many writers, including DH Lawrence, Alan Sillitoe, and Lord Byron.
Located in the heart of England, Nottingham is a lively city that’s packed with events and things to see. Sillitoe and Lawrence were influenced by working-class life and you can visit the locations that inspired them, such as Newstead Abbey and D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum.
Studying at UoN means you're already a part of the history! Alan Sillitoe's "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" and the film adaptation, which features Arthur Seaton working at a bicycle factory, were inspired by the real-life Raleigh factory in Nottingham, which is now part of the University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus.
University of Nottingham's own
All of our academics in the School of English are actively involved in research, regularly publishing books, journal articles, and creative works like fiction and poetry. We’re passionate about making research accessible to everyone and strongly support open-access publishing, encouraging tutors to go above and beyond the usual requirements.
Meet our published literary authors
Our academics are educators, active creators, and authors who are shaping the future of their fields. Their passion for authorsip fuels their teaching, creating a dynamic and inspiring learning environment. As a student, you’ll benefit from real-world insights and the chance to be part of a creative and engaging community.
Andrew Harrison, Jon McGregor and Lila Matsumoto share with you their passion, background and interests.
A city for book lovers
For book lovers, there’s no better place to be than a city where every street seems to lead to a hidden gem of a bookshop or a quiet, welcoming library. Whether you’re searching for rare editions, foreign languages, or local authors, you’ll find it in Nottingham.
Current student Christopher takes us on a journey through the city to see a rich blend of independent bookshops, historic libraries, and modern literary spaces.
Christopher student content vlog exploring Nottingham's bookshops and libraries
From book and poetry festivals to open mic nights and literary events, there's always something exciting happening in Nottingham. You can easily discover the city’s local happenings through LeftLion.
The Five Leaves Bookshop near the Old Market Square has to be my favorite bookstore in Nottingham for a variety of reasons, beginning with the smart genres that they have here. They also have a section dedicated to writers from Nottingham, which is fabulous because the writers here are known for their literary productions.
Antara Bharat Pawar
MA English Literature student
The Nottingham approach
Studying in a UNESCO City of Literature gives you a unique advantage. The city’s rich literary history directly enhances your learning experience, making your courses more meaningful.
Modules such as Creative Writing Practice, Writing and Place, and Shakespeare's Histories: Critical Approaches, are all modules closely aligned with the latest research, so what you learn is always connected to real-world work in literature.
As you explore the city’s literary heritage and engage with its vibrant community, your studies will be enriched by the very culture that inspires them, helping you grow both academically and creatively.
Closely aligned courses include:
- English BA
- English Language and Literature BA
- English with Creative Writing BA
- English Literature MA
- Creative Writing MA
As an international student, the University of Nottingham was probably the best choice I made to pursue my PGT studies. Wanting to study English Literature outside my city, Nottingham seemed like an ideal option as it is recognised as a UNESCO city of literature. The resources in the university and throughout the city helped me enhance my knowledge of what English Literature is.
Antara Bharat Pawar
MA English Literature student
Placement and volunteering opportunities
The City of Literature offers a variety of unique placement opportunities designed to enrich students' educational experiences and support their career development. You'll get hands-on work experience while being able to network and build connections in the arts industry.
Paty Bennett is the General Manager at the City of Literature and shares her experience hosting University of Nottingham placement students.
The Faculty of Arts also offers wider placement opportunities to you while studying for your degree, from summer programmes to extracurricular placements - we can help you try out the world of work.
