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English
Explore the English language’s fundamental role in shaping the world and our experience of it. Sharpen your critical thinking skills and discover what interests and opportunities lie in wait for you. Be supported by a world-class faculty of award-winning authors and writers: the faculty in the Department of English have won more teaching awards than any other department at Simon Fraser University.
Study English and understand its power and its fundamental role in shaping the world and our experience of it. Develop analytical and critical thinking abilities and rhetorical skills that transfer readily to your career of choice.
Learn from faculty that have won more teaching awards than any department at SFU and have demonstrated disproportionately high research productivity in the authoring and editing of scholarly books and articles. The world-class faculty in the Department of English also includes award-winning authors in fiction, poetry, and drama, including acclaimed Canadian authors David Chariandy and Stephen Collis.
Program Options
Learn more about the different degrees and programs available to you at English.
Undergraduate options
Major
Honours
Joint Major
- English and Communication Bachelor of Arts
- English and French Literatures Bachelor of Arts
- English and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
- English and Global Humanities Bachelor of Arts
- English and History Bachelor of Arts
Minor
Extended Minor
Co-operative Education Program
Certificate and Diploma
Graduate options
Career pathways
SFU English alumni have gone on to enjoy vibrant careers in a variety of fields. The Department of English has also created the English Network, a job and networking resource where SFU English students can connect with alumni and build relationships.
- Law
- Academia
- Writing
- Social work
- Teaching
- Communications and marketing
- Editing
- Publishing
“I love studying English literature because reading is a way of communicating with some of the most fascinating people in the history of our language—not to mention other languages. Literature may not have neat answers for us, but I think it can remind us to love the questions, instead of trying to forget them. For me to study literature at a university, alongside brilliant people, is a privilege that I cherish now more than ever.”
Ethan Gibson
Graduate | English Major
Learn more
The Department of English offers a number of opportunites to enrich learning for students:
- Certificates in performance studies, and writing and rhetoric
- Joint majors with communications, humanities, French literature, history, and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies
- Ever-expanding co-op opportunities
- A vibrant honours experience
- Extensive courses to cover a wide variety of student interests, from classical rhetoric to contemporary poetry
