Study the history of literature in English while building skills in critical writing and literary and cultural analysis.
Repeatedly ranked the #1 English department in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, we introduce students to literature in all its variety through time and across cultures. The Bachelor of Arts degree in English in the College of Letters & Science trains you in methods and theories of literary and cultural analysis, shows you how to conduct research and build complex arguments, and continually improves your writing. Majors and minors gain crucial skills for any future profession: to communicate with clarity and confidence, to understand how words and stories work not just in books but in professional lives and society, and to reflect deeply on their reading. We are known for stellar teaching, with more winners of the Distinguished Teaching Award than other Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences departments.
Highlights
- Enroll in Berkeley Connect, a one-unit mentorship and discussion course.
- Join the English Undergraduate Association or Students of Color Emerging in English.
- Conduct literary research for your honors thesis while working closely with faculty in the English Honors Program.
Curriculum
The core of the major consists of ENGLISH 45A-45B-45C, a survey of literature in English from Chaucer through the mid-20th century, including British, American, and anglophone writing. Together with the required course in Shakespeare, this sequence provides a foundation in literary history on which to build more specialized coursework. Further requirements include at least one upper-division course in literature before 1800 and at least one “Literatures in English” course. Students also complete a sequence of three small, faculty-led seminars (ENGLISH 90, 100, and 190) that focus on foundational skills in reading and understanding literature and in writing critically and meaningfully about it.
Learn more at english.berkeley.edu/major-requirements
Course Snapshot
We offer a range of courses, including offerings that fulfill L&S breadth and American Cultures requirements, as well as courses in Reading and Composition, Freshman and Sophomore Seminars, and Berkeley Connect. For example:
ENGLISH 31AC Literature of American Cultures
ENGLISH 33 African American Literature and Culture
ENGLISH 80K Children’s Literature
ENGLISH 173 The Language and Literature of Films
ENGLISH 175 Literature and Disability
ENGLISH 180Z Science Fiction
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To be eligible to declare the English major, you must complete at least 30 units, the L&S Reading and Composition requirement, and two major requirements: ENGLISH 45A or 45B, and one of the following: ENGLISH 45A, 45B, 45C, Shakespeare, or ENGLISH 90.
Fill out the English Major Declaration form after you have met the requirements and received a letter grade for the courses required. If you entered Berkeley as a transfer, confirm that your transcripts are uploaded to CalCentral prior to declaring the major. For more information, visit english.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/major/look-here-declare.
English majors develop skills—in written communication, editing, problem-solving, and working independently and in a team—that are valued by employers in nearly every profession. Program alumni work in business, industry, and nonprofits, as well as in areas such as entertainment, radio, television, and museum work. A degree in English is also good preparation for continued graduate or professional training in areas such as English, law, political science/government, public administration, communications, medicine/medical humanities, and faith-based professions.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying English. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and Ph.D. programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Actor
- Attorney
- Business Developer
- Content Writer
- Copy Editor
- Detective
- Fundraising Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Professor
- Project Coordinator
- Reporter
- Research Analyst
- Social Worker
- Teacher
- Technical Writer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Archaeology
- Business
- Creative Writing
- Education
- English Literature
- Journalism
- Law
- Medicine
- Psychology
Michelle, class of 2016
Michelle Robertson graduated with a BA in English and is now part of the BART Communications team.
“The skills you gain studying English are invaluable in the professional world. Writing, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, interpretation, translating complex information, editing, grammar—these are surprisingly rare in many workplaces, and in every context I’ve worked, they’ve made me an essential employee. I use almost all of these skills every single day in my current job at BART.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the English major; start lower division requirements such as ENGLISH 45A and 45B.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with one of the English department-sponsored student groups.
- Join Berkeley Connect in English for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Find community service opportunities like the BUILD literacy program
- Check out local events like the Bay Area Book Festival and Litquake.
- Visit discovery.berkeley.edu to get started with research, entrepreneurship, community service, and creative projects
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit the UHS Career Counseling Library and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in ENGLISH 90 if you haven’t done so yet.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see department guidelines.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Creative Writing.
- Finish remaining preparatory courses: ENGLISH 45C + Shakespeare course: (17, 117A, 117B, 117J, or 117S) and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend events such as the Holloway Poetry Series, Berkeley Book Chats, or Read Along with Berkeley English.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project. Consider applying to the MMUF Program, open to second semester Sophomores with at least a 3.4 GPA.
- Join a student publication such as the Berkeley Poetry Review, The Daily Cal or Berkeley Fiction Review.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in ENGLISH 100 The Seminar on Criticism; begin taking upper division requirements in the major.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Consider applying to the English Honors Program in the Spring term; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as an English Peer Advisor, Tutor or Writing Fellow, or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Have original literary work? Submit to the Peregrine literary journal or Vagabond multilingual journal.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as Modern Language Association.
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in ENGLISH 190 The Research Seminar.
- Enhance your capstone experience by taking classes that provide context for your research project in ENGLISH 190 or H195A/B.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events such as Read Along with Berkeley English.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer Options
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Enroll in a Summer Creative Writing Workshop.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Complement your degree with a summer minor—check out programs in Digital Humanities, Teaching English, or Journalism.
- Learn about applying to graduate school with the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in ENGLISH 100 Seminar on Criticism; begin taking upper division requirements in the major.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Verify that you have completed the major prerequisites and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with one of the English department-sponsored student groups.
- Join Berkeley Connect in English for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Visit discovery.berkeley.edu to get started with research, entrepreneurship, community service, and creative projects.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit the UHS Career Counseling Library and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see department guidelines.
- Explore new interests in a Berkeley Changemaker or DeCal course.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Creative Writing.
- Consider applying to the English Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend events such as the Holloway Poetry Series, Berkeley Book Chats, or Read Along with Berkeley English.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Find community service opportunities like the BUILD literacy program.
- Check out local events like the Bay Area Book Festival and Litquake.
- Join a student publication such as the Berkeley Poetry Review, The Daily Cal or Berkeley Fiction Review
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and Berkeley Career Engagement
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in ENGLISH 190 The Research Seminar.
- Enhance your capstone experience by taking classes that provide context for your research project in ENGLISH 190 or H195A/B.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as an English Peer Advisor, Tutor or Writing Fellow, Transfer Peer Advocate, or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Have original literary work? Submit to the Peregrine literary journal or Vagabond multilingual journal.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as Modern Language Association.
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events such as Read Along with Berkeley English.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer Options
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHET 100 Writing at the University.
- Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) during the summer of your transition to Cal if you are interested in graduate study.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Enroll in a Summer Creative Writing Workshop.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Complement your degree with a summer minor—check out programs in Digital Humanities, Teaching English, or Journalism.
- Learn about applying to graduate school in the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about English or choosing a major?
The Department of English offers undergraduate advising for students interested in English. Peer Advisors share their knowledge of and experiences with courses, extracurriculars, and campus resources. Undergraduate Major Advisors help you with rules and requirements of the major and minor, declaring the major, articulating community college courses, petitioning to transfer courses from other departments or schools, and department deadlines and schedules. The Faculty Major Advisor is available to discuss your intellectual interests, academic and curricular choices more generally, study after college, and more. Visit english.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-advising.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
Related Programs
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