BA (Hons) English Literature and Philosophy

Course Overview

What does it mean to be human? How can we tell right from wrong? How can we change the world for the better? Philosophers and writers alike have asked these timeless questions for centuries, often turning to one another to find answers. Literary texts can stage philosophical questions in unique ways, while philosophy can use literary techniques to bring its ideas to life. If reading and thinking go hand in hand for you, and if you love to explore ideas using your imagination, then our BA in English Literature and Philosophy is the perfect fit for you.

You'll get the chance to engage in depth with both literary and philosophical texts from across the ages. You might study the meaning of life alongside Shakespeare's plays, environmental philosophy alongside contemporary poetry, or philosophy of mind alongside literary modernism. Splitting your time between our innovative Literature and Philosophy Departments, you’ll explore various forms of expression in interactive classroom activities.

UEA’s engaging Literature and Philosophy Societies and Philosophy Public Lecture Series will offer even more opportunities to delve into ideas and texts that fascinate you. You’ll also study within the vibrant literary community of Norwich, known as the City of Stories and England's first UNESCO City of Literature.

This course will equip you with a brilliant range of analytical skills for presenting complex ideas simply and adapting them to varied styles of communication to suit different audiences. This flexible skillset will be enhanced throughout your degree by employability workshops and other extracurricular opportunities, such as our annual Working with Words event. You’ll graduate with increased confidence in your skills and experience, and ready to share your ideas widely and make a difference in the world around you.

Our graduates work across a diverse range of areas: the arts, journalism, publishing, teaching, and beyond. Join us and discover how asking the right questions can help you write the successful story of your life.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4

In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

A levels

ABB including English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:

English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

International Baccalaureate

32 including 5 in HL English, History, Global Politics or Psychology.

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study: 

Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA 

Academic English at INTO UEA 

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.  We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Employability

BA English Literature and Philosophy graduates have gone on to do wonderful things in a wide range of professions. The reasoning and critical thinking skills that you’ll develop will prepare you for a variety of roles in the professional sphere. You’ll graduate with:

• Precise and effective communication skills
• The ability to analyse data and information, and to correct faulty reasoning
• The ability to listen carefully to others, with empathy and rigorous attention to detail
• The power to articulate innovative and original ideas supported by reason
• The ability to use your imagination, think creatively, and offer critical appraisal

The combination of these skills makes you an ideal candidate for a wide range of career paths.

Examples of careers you could enter include:

• Law
• Journalism
• Civil service
• Cultural industries
• Teaching or lecturing
• Charity and environmental work

Discover more on our Careers webpages.