BA Hons English and History

Course overviewEverything has a story. And this course is perfect if you love finding new interpretations. Whether this is through literature, or looking to the past to discover the secrets of the people, places and events of our ancestors, it is these stories which give us our sense of place in the world.This course combines studying the history of Europe and beyond with English language, literature and drama from Old English to the present. You will study a choice of themes, ranging from American Civil Rights, to the Crusades, to Colonial India. You can also tailor your degree to what you enjoy most, choosing from a huge range of optional modules covering historical figures, events and themes from the 6th century CE to the present day.As a joint honours student, you will benefit from skills development and assessment methods from both subjects. Each subject is taught separately, but you can choose a uniting theme for your final year dissertation.Why choose this courseDeepen your knowledge - Study topics from the Middle ages, early modern and modern history, or the contemporary world since 1945For literature lovers - Unleash your creativity in a UNESCO City of Literature, with opportunities both on campus and in the cityFreedom to specialise - Complete a dissertation in either English or historyStudent satisfaction - 100% agreed that ‘the course is intellectually stimulating’, and 91% agree that ‘staff have made the subject interesting’. (2022 National Student Survey results)Complimentary skills - Learn how to research and debate history, alongside writing and thinking critically about English textsGet creative - Put your skills into practice and get involved with Impact Magazine, the Creative Writing Society, or the Words on Words blog.Top 20 for English in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and Complete University Guide 2024)Top 20 for History in the UK (Complete University Guide 2024)How you will be assessedOur courses are modular, with mainly full-year modules in the first year and mainly semester-long modules in the second and final years. Assessment for most modules takes place at two points, around the middle and end of the module.Assessment methods – this is based on a combination of coursework, including essays, close-reading exercises, research projects and dissertation, oral and performance presentations, and formal examinations. The precise assessments vary from one module to another and across the years of your degree.Careers overviewAs an English and History graduate, you will have gained the following key transferable skills:problem-solving and analysisplanning and researching written workgaining evidence and communicating findingsobjective thinkingcommunication, both oral and writtenpresenting ideas and information, including collaborativelywriting for different audiences