The English Department provides a number of opportunities for its majors to get involved. Majors can join the English Club, study abroad, write for or edit one of our journals, or apply for a departmental writing award.

Literature Club

Sponsored by the Department, the English Club is organized by and for students to provide an opportunity to meet with one another outside of the classroom, to discuss academic subjects in an informal setting, to consider career options, and to meet with writers, journalists, and scholars.

The Club often holds informational sessions about what to do with the English major, or how to apply to graduate school. The Club also hosts poetry readings and forums, and attends cultural events. The Club meeting schedule varies quarter to quarter, but anyone may attend (not just English majors). Notices announcing Club activities will be sent out to the Department Undergraduate Listserv.

Please contact the undergraduate program adviser for more information about the club.

Department Journals

The English Department houses two undergraduate research journals: Emergence and The Catalyst. See the journal pages for more information.

Additionally, several of our undergraduates work for UCSB’s student newspaper, The Daily Nexus. See their website here, and see below for a featurette detailing our English students’ involvement in this project.

Writing Your Own Story: UCSB Department of English

Department Writing Contests and Prizes

Depending on available funds, the English Department promotes different writing contests to its undergraduates throughout the academic school year.

The English Department is excited to offer four different awards/prizes during the Spring 2023 that students can submit entries for:
Here are the links to the four awards/prizes:
  • Only graduating seniors can apply*
                                                                                                       2nd place 300$
                                                                                                        3rd place 100$
  • Application form attached below; please submit your completed application via Google Form as well.*
  • Open to all UCSB undergraduates who have registered in at least 12 units in at least one quarter of the current academic year.

Download PDF:
(87.70 KB)

  • Open to graduating English Seniors or at the UD level
  • Application form attached below; please submit your completed application via Google Form as well.*

Download PDF:
(176.91 KB)