English Literature and Philosophy

Overview

From the Ancient Greeks and Romantic poets to contemporary writers, philosophy and literature frequently overlap. Philosophers often develop their ideas through literary methods, and literary writers often explore serious philosophical concepts. This course in English Literature and Philosophy will allow you to consider the important and universal questions common to both subjects and reach a deeper understanding of yourself and your intellectual and cultural landscape. 

You will learn to think logically and express yourself clearly, to sympathetically analyse a wide range of viewpoints across contexts and to read texts critically and creatively. As a result, you will develop the skills to become a careful and analytical reader, a rigorous and independent researcher, and a clear and creative and writer. 

Each year, you will take one compulsory module which provides clear connections between literature and philosophy. In your first year, you will receive an introduction to philosophical and literary methods, an introduction to key concepts in both disciplines, and the opportunity to apply these to contemporary works of literature and film. In the second and third year, you will develop a more detailed understanding of the relationship between the two subjects, as well as being able to choose options from both the English Literature and Philosophy degree programmes, tailoring your degree to your own interests. Both subject areas specialise in the history of literature and philosophy, and in contemporary issues including feminism, gender, politics, and environmentalism. 

You will graduate with highly employable skills, able to read and analyse difficult texts, write effectively and persuasively and be able to work in a team. You will benefit from being taught by staff with diverse research areas, who apply their research directly to their teaching. You will receive face-to-face teaching through seminars and lectures, and you will participate in online forums as part of your assessment. 

Schedule by year of study

Year one 

Receive an introduction to the key fundamentals of philosophy as a discipline, as well as its application to contemporary social and ethical problems. 

Immerse yourself in a wide range of classical and modern literature, and explore London through texts ranging from Dickens’s Night Walks to Zadie Smith’s 

Develop a range of techniques enabling you to critically evaluate source material, construct and analyse philosophical arguments, and present your own position with confidence and clarity. 

Year two

Participate in the ‘Literature and Philosophy’ module, where you will explore the deep connections between the two disciplines. 

Deepen your understanding of Philosophy and English Literature systematically, with a range of modules exploring detailed theoretical, historical, and ethical concepts in each subject. 

Tailor your degree with a diverse selection of optional modules, that range from Continental Philosophy and Metaphysics, to Romantic Literature and Writing Multicultural Britain. 

Year three

Hone your skills of analysis and argument by choosing from a range of advanced modules, from contemporary political philosophy and Marxism to Early Modern Gender and Shakespeare. 

Participate in cutting-edge modules led by your lecturers’ research specialisms in areas such as Animal Rights, Environmental Ethics, and Contemporary Dystopian Literature. 

Undertake a dual-supervised English and Philosophy dissertation, allowing you to pursue your own research interests and develop your independent research and critical analysis skills. 

Foundation or GCE Advanced Level

Career Options

You will graduate equipped to succeed in a wide range of careers, including publishing, marketing, politics, teaching, the civil service, journalism, business, commerce, broadcasting, law, the charity sector, and teaching. 

Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. They will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers. You’ll also have opportunities to work with our partners across London and beyond, and to attend a Roehampton jobs fair where you can find out about graduate opportunities and meet employers.