Bachelor in Literary Studies

How do we distinguish literary texts from non-literary ones? What role does literature play in society, and what role did it use to play? Students taking Utrecht University’s Bachelor program in Literary Studies will take a comparative look at the literature of all eras, ranging from antiquity to the present time, focusing both on literature in itself and on its relation to other art forms and types of media. This program takes in everything from epic poems to novels, and from novels to fan fiction.

Without Borders

Walk into a random bookshop and you will find literature written by authors from all over the world. In fact, the chances are that you read all sorts of literature yourself, be it European or Japanese literature, recent works or novels written in the past, poetry, fan fiction, what have you. Our Literary Studies program will similarly allow you to cross such borders, as literature comes in many languages and represents many different cultures.

Of All Ages

Why are certain stories exciting, while others fail to excite us? How does one recognize a good plot, and what types of plots recur in different guises throughout the ages? How do literature and society affect each other? By comparing texts from various ages and languages, students will uncover principles that go well beyond the confines of language.

An Ongoing Debate

As a Literary Studies student, you will never be lost for words. Literary scholars never stop debating. For this reason, we will teach you to have opinions and to defend these opinions.

Various Fields of Employment

After a Bachelor's most students go on to take a follow-on Master’s program. A Master’s allows you to work in various fields of employment. It all depends on the direction you followed in your specialization.

As a graduate literature scholar, you can take on roles such as a literary critic or an editor at a publisher, or you can work in education (preparing course materials and literary documentation). You can also conduct scientific research, organize cultural activities or work in policy sectors of the government.