BA (Hons) English Literature and Philosophy
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- VQ53
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
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.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
You could expand your horizons by choosing to spend a semester of your second year studying abroad at one of UEA’s partner universities. You’d spend the autumn semester completing three modules at UEA, then transfer overseas in the spring.
You'll not only experience life in a different country and make international connections, you’ll also make yourself even more attractive to prospective employers, who value the skills of resourcefulness and resilience that studying abroad will bring you.
For further details, visit our study abroad section of our website.
Study and Modules
Structure
Your first year of study will provide you with a well-balanced mix of literature and philosophy modules. We’ll introduce you to your subjects in engaging ways and help you develop key skills for study in these areas, such as close reading and critical analysis of both philosophical and literary texts.
To build a strong foundation in both disciplines, you’ll be introduced to the span of literary history from the Middle Ages onwards. You'll also encounter some of the most intriguing philosophical perspectives about human nature that have shaped Western and Eastern traditions. You’ll also discover different philosophies as ways of life.
Our enthusiastic teaching teams will guide and support you to strengthen your critical reading and writing skills. Reflecting on both the literary value of philosophical texts and on the philosophical contributions of literary works will stimulate your creativity and challenge you to start developing your own interdisciplinary perspectives.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Engaging lectures, small seminars, practical workshops, and one-to-one support will give you the opportunity to explore a wide range of themes and appreciate the distinct ways in which they can be discussed and expanded.
We place great emphasis on working through ideas collaboratively. We encourage everyone to contribute, listen and respond appropriately in both large and small group settings. We seek out positive criticism, and polite and fruitful exchanges of views.
As part of supported independent learning you'll engage with fascinating texts, including both historical and contemporary works. Using individual feedback and guidance from your teachers, you'll develop your confidence and ability to express your ideas clearly, both in writing and other formats.
Continuing throughout your degree, each of your lecturers holds drop-in office hours, through which you’ll be able to seek and gain guidance on the matters that are key to your individual development.
You’ll have an academic adviser from the advising team throughout the course of your studies. The adviser is there to provide academic and career guidance, and to support your wellbeing.
Your first year will generally include:
- 35% Teaching
- 65% Independent learning
Assessment
Our assessments are at the level of the module and consist of a mix of written assignments, creative projects, oral presentations to your peers, and quizzes. The assessments for Year One do not contribute to your final degree classification.
You'll receive constructive feedback on all your assessments to help you develop your understanding and skills. Throughout the semester you'll be given the opportunity to work on your ideas for the final assessment in preparing a piece of work called formative assessment. Your lecturers and tutors will give you qualitative comments on this preliminary work which often will hold the key to substantive improvements to your final submitted work.
Structure
In the second year of your degree, you'll explore questions about the relationship between the human and the divine. You’ll discuss the distinctions between how philosophical and literary texts treat the same existential questions about human nature. You’ll see the two sides of your degree coming together in an integrated module taught by a dedicated team of lecturers and tutors in both philosophy and literature. This module will give you the chance to discover more about the literary style of Plato, historicism and folktale, and deconstruction in literature and philosophy. The second year also introduces more optionality to your degree. In philosophy the choice spans topics such as existential philosophy, aesthetics, philosophy of religion and others, while the choice of literature modules will allow you to step beyond the fictional works that you have met before, or to approach the familiar with unfamiliar questions.
You’ll continue to discover the many rich and fascinating connections between philosophy and literary studies, covering topics such as critical theory or philosophical investigations into the value of art and creativity. You may also find the chance to study Nietzsche, or existential philosophers such as Sartre, particularly stimulating. If you wish, you can also select one module outside your main subjects covering political and social issues which will also link to themes explored in philosophical and literary texts.
In addition, you might consider the option of taking a placement module in which you'll be encouraged to apply the skills you're developing through your degree into a setting that is closer to the job market, allowing you to explore a career path that might interest you.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
The core modules of Year Two will strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the interplay between philosophical and literary approaches to key questions about the human condition. The optional topics lectures and seminars will help you delve into your chosen areas of study. The teaching methods on individual modules are always tailored to support your academic and personal development with respect to both intellectual content and a diverse range of practical skills that will be an important asset in your future career journey. You’ll continue to benefit from one-to-one support from your lecturers and academic advisor.
Your independent study time will allow you to immerse yourself in your chosen areas and put into practice key time-management and leadership skills. Your initiative and passion for a subject will be supported by individual feedback and one-to-one guidance. Part of the aim of Year Two is to encourage you to build your skills further as you develop into a self-motivated researcher and independent creative thinker.
Your second year will generally include:
- 25% Teaching
- 75% Independent learning
Assessment
Our module-based assessments for Year Two comprise essays and other written projects, class presentations, and creative projects based on the module topic. You'll receive feedback on the formative tasks assigned to you on each individual module. This constructive commentary on your work is meant to help you improve your performance in the summative tasks, highlighting both strengths and points of improvement, The variety of types of assessment is meant to hone a variety of skills that you'll be relying on in your future careers.
Structure
In your final year, you’ll choose two advanced modules from literature and two from philosophy. This leaves you the freedom, for example, to shift the balance towards one of your main subjects, or to select a complementary module from outside your main subjects. Final year modules involve a higher degree of independent study, allowing you to take the subject to a greater depth. You can choose to further progress in areas that you explored in your second year, explore new areas and issues, or try out a mixture of the two.
In addition to the main modules offered across the spectrum of philosophy and literature, your final year will give you the option to undertake a dissertation with one-to-one supervision. If you opt for the dissertation route, your focus can be a philosophical or literary topic, or a question that combines the two. You’ll further hone your interdisciplinary skills, integrating knowledge from the two disciplines to articulate new insights on a theme of your choice.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 30)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 30)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
The structure of Year Three will give you the chance to explore important and compelling subjects in depth. You'll be taught by subject specialists in lectures and seminars, and you'll be encouraged to actively think about how the skills you develop could be articulated in a job application in an industry domain of your choice. The career emphasis of some of the seminar activities encountered in Year Three will complement the continuing exploration of philosophical and literary topics. Choosing to pursue a dissertation will boost your confidence and hone your ability to pursue a self-chosen research project in collaboration with an expert from the Philosophy or English Literature Departments.
In your independent study, you’ll flourish as a creative and independent thinker as you master the fields of study that matter the most to you.
Your final year will generally include:
- 20% Teaching
- 80% Independent learning
Assessment
Although the final year will be very similar to Year Two in terms of module assessments, comprising written and oral assignments often with an important creative component, you'll discover that you'll approach these tasks with more confidence and enthusiasm. The experience you have built across the first two years of study will translate into an increased initiative concerning topic choice and writing style. In addition, the opportunity to write a dissertation of 10000 words on a topic of your choosing will provide the ideal capstone challenge for your literary and philosophical education. The project will be carried out under the supervision of a dedicated member of staff with expertise on your chosen topic.
The constructive feedback will be substantial throughout the year so that you can deliver your best work as part of your summative assessment.
Your final degree result is based on the marks for all your modules in the last two years, weighted 40:60 so that more importance is attached to the fully mature work of your final year.
Entry Requirements
- 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.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB including English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
Contextual: BBC 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.
BTEC
Extended Diploma: DDM plus B at A level in English Literature or one of the subjects listed above
Contextual: DMM plus B at A level in English Literature or one of the subjects listed above
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: DD plus B at A level in English Literature or one of the subjects listed above
Contextual: DD plus C at A level in English Literature or one of the subjects listed above
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level including English Literature or one of the subjects listed above
Contextual: D plus BC at A Level including English Literature or one of the subjects listed above
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities & Social Sciences pathway
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
T levels
Not accepted
Foundation Year Options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA (Hons) English Literature (with a Foundation Year)
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 including 5 in HL English, History, Global Politics or Psychology.
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Scottish Highers
AAABB 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, Psychology, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC including English Literature or one of the subjects listed above
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
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.
Careers
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.