Bachelor of Arts Honors in English Degree Program Guide

Students who pursue the Honors program in English will enjoy a concentrated and intensive encounter with language, literature, and other cultural forms - including popular culture and new media - across a diverse range of courses. English Honors students will complete a unique course, ENGL 498, which involves mentored independent research culminating in an original honors essay. This is an incredible opportunity to build relationships with faculty members, set yourself up well for graduate studies in English and related fields, and take your undergraduate experience to new heights.

Our award-winning teachers and researchers will help you discover, think and see in new ways within a dynamic workshop environment. Students have access to internationally renowned professors and can take courses spanning a broad range of topics, cultures, histories and perspectives. You can study Medieval, Canadian, Indigenous, queer and children's literature. Your studies can include popular culture, creative writing, film studies, video games and new media. Students at all levels of study are eligible for a large number of awards and prizes, many of substantial cash value, distributed annually.

Academic Requirements for English Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • Honors in English requires a minimum of 48 units and a maximum of 72 units in senior ENGL, including at least 15 units at the 200 level; 15 units at the 300 level; and 9 units at the 400 level, including ENGL 498, the Honors Essay
  • Promotion from year to year requires a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 and an average of at least 3.3 in all English courses in the Fall/Winter
  • Graduation with Honors in English requires a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 30 units and a minimum average of 3.3 in all English courses completed in the last 90 units of the program. Graduation with First Class Honors requires a GPA of at least 3.7 in all senior-level English courses, and an overall GPA of at least 3.5 on the last 30 units completed
Course Requirements
  • 6 units of junior English or 3 units of junior ENGL plus WRS 101 (ENGL 150 recommended)
  • ENGL 206 - How Poems Work: Introduction to Poetry
  • ENGL 207 - How Stories Work: Introduction to Narrative
  • ENGL 217 - Introduction to Literary and Critical Theory
  • 6 units from your choices of courses in the area of Language, Genre, Form, and Medium:
    • ENGL 212 - Critical Approaches to the English Language
    • ENGL 300 - Social and Cultural History of the English Language
    • ENGL 301 - Topics in Genre
    • ENGL 302 - Topics in Literary and Critical Theories
    • ENGL 303 - Digital Culture
    • ENGL 306 - Life Writing
    • ENGL 312 - African Writing in English
    • ENGL 314 - Irish Writing in English
    • ENGL 315 - South Asian Writing in English
    • ENGL 363 - Modernist Literature
    • ENGL 385 - Topics in Popular Culture
    • ENGL 387 - Youth Cultures
    • ENGL 388 - Children’s Literature
    • ENGL 395 - Topics in Print Culture and Media Studies
    • ENGL 397 - History of the Book
    • ENGL 398 - Histories of Reading
  • 3 units from courses of your choice in each of the following six areas (total 18 units):
  • ENGL 498 - Honors Essay 
    • Students must initiate discussion of their essays with the Advisor in Winter Term of Year 3 and must enroll in ENGL 498 in either term of their final year
Additional Notes
  • WRITE courses will count toward the ENGL program requirements

Academic Requirements for English Combined Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • A Combined Honors program in English and another discipline requires a minimum of 36 units in ENGL at the 200 level or above, including 6 units at the 400 level and a minimum of 36 units in the other discipline
    • No course can be used to meet more than one area requirement across and within the areas listed below
Course Requirements
  • 6 units of junior English or 3 units of junior ENGL plus WRS 101 (ENGL 150 recommended)
  • ENGL 206 - How Poems Work: Introduction to Poetry
  • ENGL 207 - How Stories Work: Introduction to Narrative
  • ENGL 217 - Introduction to Literary and Critical Theory
  • 6 units from your choices of courses in the area of Language, Genre, Form, and Medium:
    • ENGL 212 - Critical Approaches to the English Language
    • ENGL 300 - Social and Cultural History of the English Language
    • ENGL 301 - Topics in Genre
    • ENGL 302 - Topics in Literary and Critical Theories
    • ENGL 303 - Digital Culture
    • ENGL 306 - Life Writing
    • ENGL 312 - African Writing in English
    • ENGL 314 - Irish Writing in English
    • ENGL 315 - South Asian Writing in English
    • ENGL 363 - Modernist Literature
    • ENGL 385 - Topics in Popular Culture
    • ENGL 387 - Youth Cultures
    • ENGL 388 - Children’s Literature
    • ENGL 395 - Topics in Print Culture and Media Studies
    • ENGL 397 - History of the Book
    • ENGL 398 - Histories of Reading
  • 3 units from courses of your choice in each of the following six areas (total 18 units):
  • ENGL 498 - Honors Essay 
    • Students must initiate discussion of their essays with the Advisor in Winter Term of Year 3 and must enroll in ENGL 498 in either term of their final year. With the Advisor’s approval, the requirement can be waived if the student will be completing an Honors Essay in the other discipline. With special permission, INT D 520 - Combined Honors Essay may replace requirement
Additional Notes
  • In a combined Honors program, students must meet the promotion and graduation standards of each discipline
  • Students may pursue a Combined Honors program in English and another discipline. However, students should be aware that a Combined Honors program may not qualify them for admission to a graduate program in English

The University of Alberta Calendar will always contain the most up-to-date degree requirements for your program, and your requirements are determined by the calendar year you were admitted in.

What kinds of courses can English Honors students take?

  • ENGL 102 - Introduction to Critical Analysis
  • ENGL 125 - Indigenous Literatures
  • ENGL 206 - How Poems Work: Introduction to Poetry
  • ENGL 207 - How Stories Work: Introduction to Narrative
  • ENGL 221 - Reading Class and Ideology
  • ENGL 300 - Social and Cultural History of the English Language
  • ENGL 303 - Digital Culture
  • ENGL 394 - Race, Capitalism and Culture
  • ENGL 483 - Studies in Popular Culture
  • ENGL 498 - Honors Essay

What kinds of careers can you pursue with an English Honors degree?

There are many different fields and career paths that students can pursue with an English Honors degree. From writing and publishing to media and communications, graduates are equipped with communication, critical thinking and attention to detail skills to name a few, that are assets in today’s job market. Although there is a list of career options below, it is important to understand that careers are not linear. Intentionally engaging in a variety of activities and following your curiosities will open new opportunities that you might not have expected. To learn more about how you can put your Arts degree to work, stop by the HUB Career Centre (8917 HUB Mall) for more information.

  • Editor & Copywriter
  • Journalist
  • Communications Strategist 
  • Content Writer
  • Public Relations Manager
  • Grant Writer
  • Digital Marketing Specialist
  • Technical Writer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Human Resource Specialist 
  • Multimedia Creator
  • User Experience (UX) Writer
  • Educator (Professor, Secondary or Primary)
  • +More!

Interested in gaining work experience related to your career goals? If so, apply to Arts Work Experience to gain full-time, PAID, work experience before you graduate!

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