English - Language, Literature & Culture
College of Arts & Sciences
The undergraduate English major offers students a broadly based, historically grounded introduction to the literatures of Britain, the United States and, increasingly, Anglophone literature from around the world. Courses in literature emphasize techniques of literary analysis, theoretical problems posed by the interpretation of texts, the social, historical and political context of literary production and reception and the pleasures of reading. Most courses require significant written work and stress the development of critical thinking skills. Courses in language study examine the structural, historical, social and aesthetic dimensions of English.
Major category: Minimum requirements
Curricular options: English
Topic(s): Arts, Humanities and Design
websiteDegree requirements
Applicant type
Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).
Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
- Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- UW college and school graduation requirements
Department admission information
Departmental application deadline: Must enroll at the UW before applying to the major.
Please contact the department for details about the application process.
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses required for the major:
Language, Literature, & Culture Option
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all English coursework
- Enrolled students apply to the Humanities Advising Center, A2B Padelford, during the first two weeks of autumn, winter spring and summer quarters.
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 244
Total from Washington community colleges: 46
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: 18
3.50 – 3.74: 12
3.25 – 3.49: 7
3.00 – 3.24: 5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5