Study programme
The full Bachelor's programme in Literary Studies takes three years. Each year consists of four blocks of ten weeks and ends with an exam week. In your first year, you will attend an average of 12-18 hours of education per week, taught entirely in English from day one.
Courses
If you take Literary Studies at Utrecht, you will study subjects in coherent units. This ensures a sound structure. Because you will study the units of a subject together with the same fellow students, you will get to know each other well. In the second year, you will study literature in greater depth. You can choose from various specialisations: 'Literature across Borders' or: 'Literature in Conflict'.
Teaching methods
During the programme, you will encounter various types of teaching. These include lectures, where a lecturer explains the material, seminars, where you engage with the material through discussions and short tasks with fellow students and the lecturer, and project groups, where you work on larger assignments with other students. In addition to attending lectures and participating in group work, you will also spend about 20 hours per week on self-study.
Teaching method | Percentage |
Lectures | 10% |
Tutorials | 20% |
Group study | 25% |
Independent study | 45% |
Internship (abroad)
Doing an internship is fun and an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience. You can do an internship both in the Netherlands and abroad (including Berlin, Bangor, Paris and Kyoto). Literature students have previously worked in publishing houses and cultural institutions such as libraries and museums.
Group size
On average, around 80 students start the Literary Studies Bachelor's programme each year. In the tutorials you will sit with approximately 20-25 fellow students. In the first year, the average group size at lectures is a lot higher, because you will follow a number of lectures with students from other study programmes.
Study guidance
You can count on good guidance and personal advice during your studies. We have various employees, such as mentors, tutors and study advisors, who will support you with study-related issues. But they also offer guidance and advice on issues that are not directly related to your study programme.
Binding recommendation regarding the continuation of studies (BSA)
At the end of the first academic year, every student receives binding recommendation regarding the continuation of studies (BSA). You must obtain at least 45 of the 60 credits of the Bachelor's programme in Literary Studies in order to continue your studies.
