Is the Certificate in Literature Studies only for prospective English students?

No. Many students take the Certificate in Literature Studies as a serious general qualification — retirees, working professionals, teachers, writers. It also functions as a foundation for the Diploma and BA in literature for those continuing.

How much reading is expected on the Certificate in Literature Studies?

Roughly one substantial set text every fortnight plus selected secondary criticism. Some texts are short and intensive (a play, a long poem); others are full novels. Reading lists are sent before each intake so you can begin preparation.

Can the Certificate in Literature Studies be studied online?

Yes. The online route uses live seminars, structured discussion boards and the same critical writing portfolio as the on-campus course. Distance learners follow a self-paced schedule with regular tutor checkpoints.

Will the Certificate in Literature Studies prepare me for a Bachelor's degree in English?

Yes. The Certificate in Literature Studies covers close reading and critical writing foundations at the level UK English degrees expect. Several students each year continue from the Certificate to the Diploma and BA in English Language & Literature at LSJHML.

Do I need to have studied English at school for the Certificate in Literature Studies?

No. Open to anyone over 16 with a secondary school qualification. Many students join without recent literary study; the Certificate is designed to bring readers from enthusiasm to disciplined practice.

Certificate in Literature Studies | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Literature Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a short, structured UK qualification for readers ready to move from enthusiasm to discipline. Over three to six months you will work intensively on close reading, comparative analysis across periods and forms, and the basics of writing literary criticism for an educated general audience.

This is a serious introduction rather than a leisure course. Set reading runs to roughly one substantial text every fortnight, and you finish the Certificate with a 3,000-to-5,000 word piece of literary criticism a reading group, journal or magazine editor would take seriously.

Key Features

UK-recognised entry-level credential in literature studies, suitable as a foundation before a Diploma or BA.
Close-reading workshops — structured sessions on poetry, short fiction and novel extracts.
Comparative analysis modules across periods, forms and traditions.
Literary criticism writing module — accessible criticism for the educated general reader.
London literary site visits for on-campus students — the British Library, the Charles Dickens Museum and selected venues.
Three study modes — central-London seminars, fully online cohorts, or distance learning with structured deadlines.

What You Will Learn

The Certificate in Literature Studies is structured around the practice of serious reading and writing about literature. You finish able to read a difficult text closely, situate it in its tradition, and write criticism a reader would gain something from.

Close reading — pacing, image, voice, register, narrative perspective.
Poetic form — metre, rhyme, free verse, contemporary practice.
Narrative fiction — character, plot, point of view, time, framing.
Drama on the page — speech, stagecraft, dramatic irony.
Comparative analysis — across periods, traditions and forms.
Literary history at survey level — major movements and turning points.
Critical writing — review, longer essay, accessible analysis for general readers.
Citation and referencing — MHRA at introductory level.

Who This Certificate Is For

Serious readers, including retirees and lifelong learners, who want structured literary study.
Aspiring writers and book reviewers seeking critical discipline.
Teachers and teaching assistants looking to deepen subject literacy in English.
Career changers preparing for a Diploma or BA in literature or related humanities.

Career Pathways

The Certificate in Literature Studies is a foundation credential rather than a vocational one, and most students take it for further study, for editorial work or simply for the rigour. Typical first or next roles for those moving toward a literature-adjacent career include:

Editorial Assistant (publisher, magazine, literary site)
Bookseller Buyer (independent or chain bookshop)
Book Reviewer (literary supplement, online review site)
Library Assistant (public library, academic library)
Literary Agent's Reader (entry route into the agent business)
Lecturer in Literature (after further degrees)

Credit from this Certificate counts toward LSJHML's Diploma in Literature Studies and articulates into a Bachelor's degree in English Language & Literature for students who continue.

Entry Requirements

Minimum age 16.
Secondary school qualification (GCSE/O-Level or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
No prior literary study experience required.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.