Learn, be inspired and build critical thinking skills for a literary future

Literature, the study of written works, is a dynamic field involving the analysis of poetry and prose in order to better understand the human experience. With the rapid emergence of new marketing trends such as TikTok and digital publishing, the industry requires professionals who can embrace, and comment eloquently upon, these changes.

UNE provides a range of undergraduate and postgraduate offerings in literature, designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to work with emerging digital literary technology and stay up-to-date with evolving developments and genres such as climate fiction, fan fiction and the range of self-publishing platforms. Because UNE has a long history of helping adults ready themselves for changes in the workplace, our literature courses focus on confronting broader political, philosophical and historical questions raised in literature to ensure that you are future fit to contribute to any literary conversation in a future workplace.

Most of our students opt for online education, where they become part of a community of adults who pool their life and work experiences to form networks for the future. Those who study on-campus enjoy accommodation, athletics facilities and support services. Whether online or on-campus, you can choose to study full-time or part-time over three trimesters each year.

Our extensive experience in training adults for constantly changing job markets demonstrates our commitment to their success. By choosing UNE, you’ll be studying with an industry leader in the provision of online lifelong learning. Year after year, students award us the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.

Explore the literature courses on offer at UNE. 

Courses by study level

Bachelor of Arts

One of our longest-standing degrees, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) is increasingly relevant in today's agile, dynamic world. It equips you with the creative, critical and analytical skills in demand by employers, and is transferable across a range of workplaces. When you study a BA at UNE, you have the freedom to become a specialist in the discipline of your choice.

Duration
  • 3 years full-time
  • Up to 10 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
  • On Campus

We live in a rapidly changing world, and none more so than the world of media and communications. The rise of digital media, social media and streaming services has seen the landscape change like no other, but the fundamentals of effective communication and storytelling remain constant.

At the heart of effective communication is both the ability to tell an engaging story and to ensure it reaches and resonates with its target audience. UNE's Bachelor of Media and Communications will equip you with the necessary tools to achieve both objectives, and help you forge a career in the media and communications industry, no matter how the landscape changes in the future.

Duration
  • 3 years full-time
  • Up to 10 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
  • On Campus

The UNE Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws provides you with the opportunity to combine your study of law with an area of interest drawn from a wide variety of the arts, humanities and social sciences. As a double degree for the future, it has been developed in response to the needs of today’s rapidly changing workplaces and a growing employer demand for double degree graduates.

Your choice of arts major allows you to become an expert in a discipline of your choice. The legal knowledge and practical skills will also enable you to pursue many pathways in law, benefiting from UNE’s deep expertise in regional, rural and remote legal issues.

Duration
  • 5 years full-time
  • Up to 12 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online

UNE’s Bachelor of Media and Communications/Bachelor of Laws offers you the opportunity to combine your law studies with a highly sought-after understanding of our rapidly changing global media culture.

This unique dual degree broadens your career prospects, providing you access to fulfilling roles in not only legal and media sectors, but to diverse prospects in a variety of sectors. Graduate from this course future-fit to think laterally and problem-solve — qualities that are in demand by employers navigating the dynamically shifting landscape of work.

Duration
  • 5 years full-time
  • Up to 12 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
  • On Campus

Workplaces value employees who have a broad range of real-world skills, and this combined degree will equip you to excel in today’s dynamic working environment. In our Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business, you’ll gain business knowledge and learn to think like an entrepreneur. You’ll develop creative and socio-cultural knowledge, and vital skills in critical thinking and communication.

Our degree fosters the accumulation of knowledge and the acquisition of a diverse set of skills, essential to helping you be an independent thinker, and empowering you to create a new future, new career prospects and the ability to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing modern workplace.

Duration
  • 4 years full-time
  • Up to 10 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online

Do you dream of a career where you’re helping to address the big issues facing humanity? Or perhaps you crave the excitement of being at the forefront of scientific discovery? Maybe you wish to instil your passion for the environment into future generations? Our Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science is uniquely positioned to help you reach your goals, with wide-spanning knowledge and a diverse set of skills to be adaptable in a rapidly changing world. This combined degree will help lay the foundation for you to acquire the ability to innovate and problem-solve — attributes that are in demand more than ever by employers in Australia and internationally.

Duration
  • 4 years full-time
  • Up to 10 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
  • On Campus

Add an area of expertise to your CV and gain an undergraduate qualification — without committing to a full bachelor's degree. You will develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills in the core units. With the minor and elective units, you tailor the course to your specific interests and career objectives by choosing from an extensive selection of arts, humanities and social science units.

With our Advanced Diploma in Arts you have the freedom to explore related subjects, or a range of different topics. With this flexibility, your advanced diploma can be customised to your aspirational and practical needs. It will also qualify you to go on to a Bachelor of Arts if you're keen to continue your studies. Become future fit with these advanced studies. 

Duration
  • 1.5 years full-time
  • Up to 6 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
  • On Campus
Diploma in Arts

Are you looking to add an additional area of expertise to your CV to enhance your career prospects without committing to a full degree? Perhaps you just want to dip a toe into university study, with the option of continuing on to an advanced diploma or even a bachelor's degree? Well, our Diploma in Arts is the perfect way to achieve both goals. This course will equip you with a variety of fundamental skills and knowledge in a range of subjects in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Duration
  • 1 year full-time
  • Up to 4 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
  • On Campus

Did your arts degree prompt a burning question or a passion for independent research? If so, consider applying for an honours year. A capstone to your formal education, honours is an opportunity to drill deeper into a specialised area, to extend your intellectual range, and sharpen your research capabilities. It will enable advanced communication techniques and deep subject knowledge, to hone your analytical abilities, and gain high-level personal and professional skills. These are valuable attributes that provide a solid foundation for postgraduate study, give you a competitive edge in the job market, and help future proof your career in a rapidly changing world.

Duration
  • 1 year full-time
  • 2 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online
Master of Arts

UNE’s Master of Arts is designed to equip you with specialised knowledge as well as a wide range of transferrable skills that employers highly value, such as communication and critical thinking. This course is also a focused pathway to higher degree research.

With a master's degree, you can make a switch to a new career field or gain additional expertise to enhance your existing path. At UNE, you can select a major from 17 specialty areas, dive into research and tailor the program to your interests and career goals. Explore history, linguistics, theatre and digital performance, philosophy, sociology and more.

Duration
  • 1 or 1.5 years full-time
  • Up to 6 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online

Design a bespoke course and prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace with the UNE Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice. Whether you want to advance your career, hone your skills or embark on a new career direction, we'll work with you to design a course to match your skills and aspirations.

You will have the freedom to assemble your course from a full breadth of subjects, play to your strengths and draw from your experience to achieve your goals. Learn in a way that suits your timeframe and do it all with the support of an expert academic success advisor — with one-on-one guidance from start to finish. You'll be paving your pathway to the next stage of your career.

Duration
  • 1 year full-time
  • Up to 4 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online

Are you a graduate looking to add new skills to your CV to reinforce or redirect your career? Perhaps you are keen to pursue a personal interest in the arts or humanities. Or maybe you are interested in completing a master's but aren't sure if you can commit to a full degree. If any of the above fits your situation, the Graduate Certificate in Arts is the perfect course for you.

Your choice of majors include, but are not limited to, history, philosophy, media and communications, English literature, classical languages, writing, and a range of modern cultural studies. In addition, you will be trained to discover and process information, think independently, and communicate effectively.

Duration
  • Up to 4 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online

Adapt to an evolving workplace and open the door to new career opportunities with UNE's Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice. Whether you want to create more career choices, hone your specialist skills, or take a new career direction, we will work with you to customise a course to match your skills and aspirations.

Choose from a full breadth of subjects. Avoid getting bogged down in a lengthy, traditional course, and instead, play to your natural strengths, refine your skills and draw on your experience to prepare for the future. And do it all with the support of an expert academic success advisor with 1:1 guidance from start to finish.

Duration
  • 0.5 years full-time
  • 2 years part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy is the pinnacle of academic study. Using rigorous and systematic research, combined with critical analysis, you will add to society's understanding of complex issues at the cutting-edge of your discipline or profession.

When you complete your PhD at UNE, you will be recognised as an expert in your area of study. Your original discoveries and innovations will be applied to benefit society and industry in Australia and worldwide.

Duration
  • 4 years full-time
  • 8 years part-time
Start
  • Research Period 1
  • Research Period 2
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • Online
  • On Campus

Practice-based research drives better decisions, stronger services and measurable outcomes. UNE’s Professional Doctorate provides foundational research training with a research thesis, supporting experienced professionals to contribute to the development of original knowledge that improves professional practice in their fields.

Co-design a workplace-embedded project with your UNE supervision team and your organisation, aligning rigorous methods with real-world challenges. Your examinable output is tailored to your discipline — for example, a thesis, a dissertation with artefacts, or an exegesis with a portfolio of creative, technical or performance works.

Duration
  • 4 years full-time
  • 8 years part-time
Start
  • Research Period 1
  • Research Period 2
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online
Master of Philosophy

High quality research and analysis allows us to better understand the complex issues we face in industry and society. With UNE's Master of Philosophy by research, your original findings and insights will add to the body of knowledge and inform decision-making in your specialist area.

You will work independently, with personalised support from recognised experts in your area of study every step of the way. Expand your expertise, hone your research skills, and immediately apply your knowledge in a research topic of your choice.

Duration
  • 2 years full-time
  • Up to 4 years part-time
Start
  • Research Period 1
  • Research Period 2
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online
Non-Award

The world is full of possibilities, with so much to discover and learn. There are endless opportunities to enrich your knowledge to prepare for the future, but what if you don’t want to undertake a full degree? And how can you zero-in on the subjects that matter most to you? That’s what a Non-Award unit with UNE will help you to achieve.

Non-Award study means you can learn without the need to complete entire course requirements or take on a full course load. Whether it’s a language you want to learn, a business unit to enhance your career, an improvement of your IT skills, an update on education principles or developing your management style, Non-Award study gives you the flexibility and control to explore what matters to you.

Duration
  • 1 trimester full-time
  • 1 trimester part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online
Cross-Institutional

If you are enrolled at another university, you can choose to study subjects at UNE that will count towards your course. Apply as a cross-institutional student directly and complete one or several individual subjects (units) from the full scope of UNE's discipline areas.

Duration
  • 1 trimester full-time
  • 1 trimester part-time
Start
  • Trimester 1 - Feb 2026
  • Trimester 2 - Jun 2026
  • Trimester 3 - Oct 2026
View all offering start dates
Mode
  • On Campus
  • Online

Why study with us?

Smiling Bachelor of Agriculture student Greg Kemmett stands on wooden stairwell at UNE Armidale

The most enjoyable part of my studies is the sense of achievement and being part of something bigger than myself.

Greg Kemmett

Find the right major or specialisation for your studies in Literature

UNE literature graduates will be prepared to succeed in the world of literature which now embraces fan fiction, blended genre fiction, and self-publishing platforms, as well as contemporary and classic works. Explore our range of literature courses now.

Filter by:
Showing 18 of 8 results
English
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
Future-fit yourself with practical and effective teaching and analytical skills in anticipation of advancing tech and an expanding emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. UNE’s experts will help you develop your capacity to teach English and…

Future-fit yourself with practical and effective teaching and analytical skills in anticipation of advancing tech and an expanding emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. UNE’s experts will help you develop your capacity to teach English and literature to secure your place in the education sector.

Courses Type Level of Study
Bachelor of Arts Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Education (In-service Conversion) Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Education (K-12 Teaching) Teaching Area Undergraduate
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Arts) Teaching Area Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Major Bachelor Honours
Master of Arts Major Postgraduate
Graduate Certificate in Arts Major Postgraduate
Advanced Diploma in Arts Minor Undergraduate
English/Literacy
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
Ensure you are future fit with practical and engaging teaching skills in anticipation of advancing tech and an expanding emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. UNE’s experts will help you develop your capacity to teach primary students to secure…

Ensure you are future fit with practical and engaging teaching skills in anticipation of advancing tech and an expanding emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. UNE’s experts will help you develop your capacity to teach primary students to secure your place in the education sector.

Courses Type Level of Study
Bachelor of Education (K-6 Teaching) Specialisation Undergraduate
Languages and Cultures
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
Benefit from UNE's linguistics experts and develop the language skills to secure your career in a global environment. Use up-to-date tech programs to enhance your learning and future-fit yourself in a rapidly changing world that is increasingly…

Benefit from UNE's linguistics experts and develop the language skills to secure your career in a global environment. Use up-to-date tech programs to enhance your learning and future-fit yourself in a rapidly changing world that is increasingly focused on diversity and inclusivity.

Courses Type Level of Study
Bachelor of International Studies Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Language Studies Specialist Course Undergraduate
Bachelor of Languages Specialist Course Undergraduate
Master of Applied Linguistics Specialist Course Postgraduate
Diploma in Modern Languages Specialist Course Undergraduate
Media and Culture
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
Develop your print and digital media and communication skills with UNE's experienced industry professionals. Work with current and emerging technology and protect your career as digital media, news and pop culture, as well as data and analytics, …

Develop your print and digital media and communication skills with UNE's experienced industry professionals. Work with current and emerging technology and protect your career as digital media, news and pop culture, as well as data and analytics, become more important for media outlets.

Courses Type Level of Study
Bachelor of Media and Communications Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Media and Communications/Bachelor of Laws Major Undergraduate
World Literatures
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
Study world literatures with the experts at UNE and equip yourself with fluency in your target language alongside literary analysis expertise. Develop intercultural competency and a unique perspective on global issues, which employers consider…

Study world literatures with the experts at UNE and equip yourself with fluency in your target language alongside literary analysis expertise. Develop intercultural competency and a unique perspective on global issues, which employers consider increasingly important in our interconnected world.

Courses Type Level of Study
Master of Arts Major Postgraduate
Graduate Certificate in Arts Major Postgraduate
Writing
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
UNE's writing and communications experts will help you develop skills in business and creative writing; including research and critical thinking. Safeguard your spot in the globally connected world that is forecast to see further tech…

UNE's writing and communications experts will help you develop skills in business and creative writing; including research and critical thinking. Safeguard your spot in the globally connected world that is forecast to see further tech developments and ensure you are future-fit for professional life.

Courses Type Level of Study
Bachelor of Arts Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Major Bachelor Honours
Master of Arts Major Postgraduate
Graduate Certificate in Arts Major Postgraduate
Advanced Diploma in Arts Minor Undergraduate
Writing and Publishing
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
UNE's highly regarded educators, published authors and experienced media professionals will help you develop your writing, editing and pitching skills. Prepare to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of writing and publishing that will see a…

UNE's highly regarded educators, published authors and experienced media professionals will help you develop your writing, editing and pitching skills. Prepare to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of writing and publishing that will see a rise in digital platforms and self publishing.

Courses Type Level of Study
Bachelor of Media and Communications Major Undergraduate
Bachelor of Media and Communications/Bachelor of Laws Major Undergraduate
Youth and Popular Culture
  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor Honours
  • Postgraduate
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Specialisation
  • Teaching Area
  • Specialist Course
With the experts at UNE, you'll engage with popular literary genres at the heart of key social concerns. You will develop specialist skills in the literary genres and discourses that address vital contemporary social and cultural issues in a…

With the experts at UNE, you'll engage with popular literary genres at the heart of key social concerns. You will develop specialist skills in the literary genres and discourses that address vital contemporary social and cultural issues in a methodical and systematic way.

Courses Type Level of Study
Bachelor of Arts Minor Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business Minor Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws Minor Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Minor Undergraduate
  • 1

Why study with us?

5 stars
For Overall Experience and Teaching Quality
Good Universities Guide 2024
Australian Universities
No. 1
For Undergraduate Student Support
Good Universities Guide 2024
Public NSW Universities
No. 1
For Postgraduate Student Experience
QILT Student Experience Survey
NSW Universities

Careers in Literature

By studying literature with UNE, you will have the future-proof skillset to secure positions in a wide range of careers and industries. With the need for expert communicators set to rise, professionals who understand the human experience and its expression through language and cultivated skillsets in literature can find work in a variety of settings.

  • Writer
    Contribute to society’s cultural and artistic assets as a producer of written work such as novels, short stories, poetry or non-fiction books.
  • Editor
    Help develop the work of others, reviewing and editing written content for publications, websites or businesses.
  • Journalist
    Report news and stories for newspapers, magazines, websites of broadcast media.
  • Public relations specialist
    Help people and organisations build and maintain positive profiles in public via the media, often through writing and storytelling.
  • Marketing specialist
    Develop marketing campaigns, content and strategies to promote products and services.
  • Teacher
    Educate students on literature in the classroom or other professional environments.
  • Content strategist
    Plan, write and edit content for content for websites, social media and other digital platforms.
  • Librarian
    Manage and curate book collections, assist patrons and organise literary events.

Excellence in experience, equity and employability

2026 Overall Experience

Five Stars,
20 Years in a Row

UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 20 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience.

Good Universities Guide 2007-2026
2026 Social Equality

Five Stars for
Social Equity

UNE rates among the top 20% of universities nationally and is #1 in NSW for Social Equity.

Good Universities Guide 2026
2026 Graduate Employment

Five Stars for
Graduate Employment

UNE rates among the top 20% of universities for Graduate Full-Time Employment and Starting Salary.

Good Universities Guide 2026 (Undergraduate)
2026 Diamond-Rated Digital Learning

Diamond-Rated Digital Learning

UNE’s leadership in digital learning earned the highest ‘Diamond’ rating in a peer review.

ASCILITE TELAS 2025

What happens next?

laptop icon
1. Decide on your course

Got any questions about a course you would like to study? Don’t hesitate to contact us, our Future Student team is standing by to help.

pencil icon
2. Apply

2026 applications are now open. The application process only takes 20 minutes to complete. Don’t delay, apply now!

form icon
3. Receive an offer, enrol and start studying

Your start date is based on the study period you choose to apply for.