Literature courses

What you learn in an online literature course depends on the specifics of the course you choose. Typically, you can expect to learn:

• How to analyse works of literature

• How to understand the stylistic and thematic aspects of an author’s works

• How to critically assess literary works from a political, social and philosophical perspective

• When literature can be considered historical artefacts

• Critical reading, analysis and comprehension skills

Literature is typically offered as a major within a Bachelor of Arts. When you take this study path, you don’t specialise in a particular topic but instead explore many different genres and eras of literature. If you’d only like to learn about certain aspects of literature, you might like to consider studying single subjects instead of a qualification. You have total freedom to pick from literature topics like:  

• Genre and classic texts

• Modern and contemporary literature

• 20th-century literature

• Medieval to modern literature

• Film and TV adaptations

• Translation

• 19th-century literature

• Australian literature

An online literature degree is an excellent choice if you’re working. The flexibility offered by online study makes it easier to fit your studies around your work obligations. You can watch lectures during your lunch break or after your workday is over, and focus on your coursework when it suits you, provided you meet the set deadlines.

It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide:

If you study a degree in literature through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.

A literature course is typically studied as a major within a Bachelor of Arts, so you’ll need to be granted entry to the full course to enrol.

While entry is usually granted based on your ATAR, we’ve partnered with leading education providers to give you another option. You can ease into certain undergraduate courses through Open Universities Australia if you complete single subjects first. This pathway option is open to you no matter your academic history.

As a graduate, you’ll be able to apply the analytical and critical thinking skills you’ll gain throughout your studies to many different areas, so the world is your oyster.

Consider these possibilities:

• Work as a book editor

• Become a publisher

• Write as a journalist or content writer

• Work in communications and marketing

• Become a bookseller

If you want to continue studying and potentially move your career into a related field, consider one of these areas:

• Media studies courses, if you’d like to explore the role mass media plays in our culture

• Creative writing courses, if you want to be a poet, literary novelist, or non-fiction writer

• Library and information services courses, if you want to help others access information and work in a library

• History courses to further understand the historical context of the literature you’ve studied

• Philosophy courses, if you want to ponder the big questions and explore the meaning of existence

• Education courses, if you want to spread your love of literature to the next generation

Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Find your course

• Browse the options on this page.

• Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.

• Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.

2. Start your enrolment

• When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.

• Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.

• You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:

  • Proof of identity

  • Your tax file number

  • A Unique Student Identifier (USI)

3. Wait for confirmation

Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.

Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.

For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.