UCC School of English has a strong tradition of creativity and independent thinking. Our students learn, by reading and listening, how to balance different arguments. You will get practice at clear and persuasive writing and at effective discussion in seminar situations. You will join a community of learning where you can develop your ideas and knowledge and shape your skills.The BA in English introduces you to the subject in its fullest sense. You will study English across the centuries and can cover areas such as creative writing, film, drama and theatre. If you're a keen reader and interested in technology, we can help you hone your digital and literary skills with courses on digital media and through technology-enabled learning.The BA in English will involve lectures and class discussions. You may also participate in online discussions, group projects, visit significant cultural sites, or even research manuscripts. Individual study is very important in an English degree: you will often choose which texts you want to study for major assignments, while learning to articulate what it is about them that interests you.AssessmentWritten exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment.The course is assessed by a mix of essays and examinations. Individual and group presentations and seminar contributions are also assessed: these are important for developing not only your ideas but also your skills in oral and written expression.Lecture modules in Years 2 and 3 are assessed using a mixture of continuous assessment and formal examinations. In both years you will also take specialist seminars, where the assessment rewards participation, individual research, oral presentation and written work.