B.A. English

Colleges and Faculties > Independent Faculties > Faculty of Arts > Department of English > B.A. English

If you are fascinated by how language shapes thought, culture, and communication, the Bachelor of Arts in English offers a rich and rewarding path for you. The programme is designed to help you understand the English language, its structure, evolution, and expressive power, while also equipping you with strong analytical, creative, and communication skills.

Your study in English will expose you to both the science of language and the art of literature, allowing you to appreciate how writers, thinkers, and speakers influence society through words. You will learn to interpret texts, express ideas with precision, and communicate effectively across diverse contexts. Whether you dream of becoming a writer, editor, teacher, diplomat, or media professional, this degree gives you the intellectual and linguistic foundation to thrive in the 21st-century knowledge economy. 

Course Overview

The programme provides a broad and integrated approach to language and literature studies. You will explore how English functions as a global medium of communication while examining its creative and cultural impact across time and space. The curriculum balances linguistic training with literary scholarship, ensuring that you gain competence in both areas.

Throughout your training, you will study phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and discourse analysis, alongside African, British, and world literatures. Courses in theories of language and literature introduce you to critical frameworks for understanding texts and communication. In addition, you will engage in digital humanities, entrepreneurship, and research methodology, ensuring that your education remains practical, adaptable, and relevant to emerging opportunities.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to analyse language structures, interpret meaning across genres, and apply communication strategies in academic, professional, and creative contexts. The course also enhances your employability by fostering essential skills such as critical reasoning, teamwork, and digital literacy.

Course Curriculum

The curriculum for the programme aligns with the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) prescribed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). It combines core national content (70%) with innovative university-designed courses (30%), ensuring that your training is both comprehensive and flexible.

At the foundational level, you will take introductory courses such as

  1. Communication in English
  2. Grammar and Composition
  3. Introduction to Literary Studies
  4. The Nigerian Peoples and Culture

These courses build your confidence in writing, speaking, and critical reading while laying the foundation for further linguistic and literary study.

You will progress to intermediate studies in:

  1. Phonetics and Phonology
  2. Morphology and Syntax
  3. African and Modern Literature
  4. Digital Humanities: Application of Computer to the Arts
  5. Entrepreneurship and Innovation

These courses expand your understanding of how language functions and how literature reflects human experience and creativity.

At this stage, you will engage with advanced concepts through:

  1. Semantics and Discourse Analysis
  2. Sociolinguistics
  3. Advanced Grammar
  4. Literary Theory and Criticism
  5. Research Methodology in the Arts

This phase sharpens your analytical ability and prepares you for independent research and professional writing.

Your final year focuses on specialisation and application. You will undertake:

  1. Advanced Studies in African and English Literature
  2. Language and Communication in the Media
  3. Stylistics and Applied Linguistics
  4. Research Project

The research project represents the capstone of your training, where you apply theoretical and methodological knowledge to a defined topic under academic supervision.

Entry Requirements

To be admitted into the B.A. English programme, you must satisfy one of the following admission routes:

1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Degree Programme)

  1. At least five credit passes in relevant subjects at the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or its equivalent, including English Language and Literature in English, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  2. A satisfactory score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with English and Literature in English as core subjects.

2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Degree Programme)

  1. Five credit passes in relevant subjects at SSCE or its equivalent, two of which must be at the advanced level.
  2. A Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), National Diploma (ND), or University Diploma in English or related fields with at least a credit grade.

All applicants must also satisfy the university’s general entry requirements for undergraduate programmes.

Why study at OOU?

Choosing to study English means choosing a programme that prepares you to communicate with confidence, think critically, and engage meaningfully with the world. Our department combines a rich academic tradition with a modern approach to teaching and learning.

You will benefit from:

  1. A balanced curriculum that integrates linguistic and literary studies to develop analytical and expressive skills.
  2. Experienced lecturers who are experts in language, literature, and communication research.
  3. Digital learning and research tools that strengthen your 21st-century skills in writing, media, and information management.
  4. Creative and research-based training that enables you to publish, present, and discuss ideas confidently.
  5. Career-oriented teaching that links language competence with opportunities in media, education, public relations, creative writing, and academia.

Research Project

In your final year, you will undertake a research project that demonstrates your ability to apply theoretical and practical knowledge in language and literature. You will select a research topic in areas such as linguistics, discourse studies, or literary analysis, under the supervision of an academic staff member.

Through this project, you will learn to:

  1. Identify and define a research problem.
  2. Conduct a systematic literature review and data analysis.
  3. Apply appropriate linguistic or literary theories to real-world contexts.
  4. Present findings using clear academic and analytical writing.

This project not only serves as a culmination of your academic training but also prepares you for postgraduate study, research, and professional writing in any communication-based career.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Arts in English, you must satisfy the graduation requirements as approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Academic Requirements

  1. Complete and pass all compulsory and elective courses prescribed for the degree.
  2. Earn a minimum of 120 credit units if admitted through the UTME mode or 90 credit units if admitted through Direct Entry.
  3. Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of not less than 1.00 at the end of the programme.
  4. Successfully defend your final-year research project.

Grading and Degree Classification

Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:

Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.A. (Hons) English, a qualification recognised nationally and internationally for its academic excellence, communication training, and intellectual rigour.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of B.A. English are highly sought after across many sectors due to their mastery of language, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving ability. Your training prepares you for dynamic roles in communication, education, administration, and the creative industries.

You may pursue careers such as:

  1. Writer, editor, or publisher
  2. Teacher, lecturer, or curriculum specialist
  3. Public relations officer or corporate communications manager
  4. Journalist, broadcaster, or media analyst
  5. Content creator, speechwriter, or social media strategist
  6. Diplomat, cultural attaché, or international relations officer
  7. Researcher, policy analyst, or language consultant

You may find employment in:

  1. Educational institutions: secondary schools, colleges, universities, and training centres
  2. Media and communication firms: radio, television, print, and digital media houses
  3. Government agencies and ministries: culture, education, or foreign affairs departments
  4. Publishing and advertising companies: editorial, copywriting, or creative writing units
  5. Corporate organisations: public relations, human resources, and marketing departments
  6. International NGOs and cultural organisations: where communication and diplomacy are key

With further study, you may also progress to postgraduate degrees in English, Communication Studies, or related disciplines, leading to advanced research or academic careers.

How to Apply?

1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)

If you are applying through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), you must:

  1. Obtain the JAMB application form, selecting Olabisi Onabanjo University as your first choice.
  2. Choose English as your preferred course of study.
  3. Sit for the UTME subjects, including English Language and Literature in English.
  4. Possess at least five credit passes in relevant subjects at the SSCE or its equivalent, including English Language and Literature in English, obtained at not more than two sittings.
  5. Complete the OOU Post-UTME screening and satisfy the university’s cut-off requirements.

2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)

If you are applying through Direct Entry, you must:

  1. Hold an NCE, National Diploma (ND), or University Diploma in English or related disciplines with at least a credit grade.
  2. Possess five credit passes in relevant subjects at the SSCE, including English Language and Literature in English.
  3. Apply directly through the OOU Undergraduate Admissions Portal and upload all supporting credentials, including transcripts and certificates.

Course Coordinator

The B.A. English programme is managed by a team of dedicated academics and experienced researchers within the Department of English, Faculty of Arts. 

The current programme coordinator is:

Dr [Full Name]

Contact Information:

  • Email:  
  • Phone: 
  • Office: 

Course Overview

  1. Next Admission Process
  2. Current Academic Year
  3. Associated programmes = Undergraduate
  4. Course Duration = 4 Years
  5. Degree = Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  6. Faculty = Arts
  7. Course Type = Full Time
  8. Course Delivery = On campus.
  9. Location = Faculty of Arts, Main Campus.
  10. Scholarship opportunities