Liberal Arts at UEA harnesses the best research-led teaching from across the University, resulting in a radically different, innovative, and unique programme.

The course is based in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, but also taught across the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Sciences. This multidisciplinary and multi-faculty approach means that in all elements of your degree you will benefit from the world-leading expertise and innovative teaching techniques of UEA’s academics.

Our innovative approach to student-centred learning and strong emphasis on pastoral support encourages you to achieve at the highest level. Liberal Arts at UEA combines academic and intellectual rigour with a supportive community and stimulating atmosphere to ensure an excellent student experience.

 

Courses

Research

Explore different options and routes

Explore the different major and minor subjects available in Liberal Arts at UEA and see what modules you can study in these pathways.

Frequently asked questions

You can build your own degree around your interests and inspirations – this is the most versatile and flexible degree we offer.

  • You will major in an Arts and Humanities subject of your choice and you can choose other options across Science, Social Science or Humanities subjects.
  • There is a strong emphasis on pastoral support and building a Liberal Arts community – you will study interdisciplinary work, systems thinking, creativity, innovation and problem-solving with other Liberal Arts students.
  • At the heart of whichever Liberal Arts path you choose at UEA is critical thinking, communication, innovation, research and evidence-based analysis. These skills which are highly sought after by employers and the subject breadth allows you to keep your options open.
  • You have the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience through a year-long placement or by selecting a placement module option within your second year.
  • Explore a new country and gain new perspectives on the subjects you’re interested in, by choosing to study abroad for a year.
  • The quality of our research and teaching has earned us a reputation as one of the country's most respected institutions.
  • Our research is embedded in our outstanding teaching and you can study with many world-leading departments thanks to the options this degree offers.

The personal statement is your opportunity to tell us about you, your ambitions, skills, and experiences.

  • Writing a personal statement for Liberal Arts may feel daunting, as there is such a large range of options you can choose.
  • Take time to reflect on your achievements, skills, work experience and interests – share examples about why you want to study Liberal Arts.
  • Think about what it is that interests you in Liberal Arts – do you want to explore your current subjects in more detail, discover something new or build on something you’re passionate about outside of education?
  • Don’t worry about covering every subject offered in Liberal Arts – think across subject areas and where you’re interested in exploring links – why an interdisciplinary approach tickles your curiosity.
  • Consider the common themes within Liberal Arts like systems thinking, creativity, innovation, problem-solving and research – is there anything or anyone that’s inspired you to think differently and look at the connections between subjects?
  • Ask someone to read it through for you.

 

Apart from one core Liberal Arts module every year, like ‘Ways to knowledge’, it's likely that every student's timetable will be different – even those who choose the same majors and minors.

An academic advisor will contact every Liberal Arts student personally before you arrive at UEA to talk to you about the pathways, the options you’d like to choose, timetable options and to help you to enrol on your modules. This is one of the few undergraduate courses at UEA where you can choose modules in the first semester of your first year. You can explore the different pathways and options in our interactive tool.

The timetable example here is one possible approach for a Liberal Arts student in Year 1 who has chosen to major in Philosophy and minor in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. This minor requires a Maths, Computing Sciences, Physics or Electronics A-level.

Year 1, semester 1

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9am Classic Readings in Philosophy       Programming 1 (2hrs)
10am          
11am Classic Readings in Philosophy   Classic Readings in Philosophy   Classic Readings in Philosophy
12pm          
1pm   Classic Readings in Philosophy   Ways to Knowledge: Disciplines and Practices (2hrs) Programming 1 (2 hrs)
2pm          
3pm          
4pm          

 

Year 1, semester 2

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9am   Database Systems (2hrs)   Modern Readings in Philosophy Programming 1 (2hrs)
10am Modern Readings in Philosophy     Reasoning and Logic  
11am     Database Systems (2hrs)   Modern Readings in Philosophy
12pm          
1pm Reasoning and Logic (2hrs)     Ways to Knowledge: Disciplines and Practices (2hrs) Programming 1 (2 hrs)
2pm         Reasoning and Logic (2hrs)
3pm   Modern Readings in Philosophy      
4pm          

 

Podcast

How can I support my students if they're considering a Liberal Arts degree?

Francisco Costa, the Course Director for Liberal Arts, joined the Nurturing Bright Futures podcast team in June 2020 to talk about the programme.

Nurturing Bright Futures is UEA's higher education advice podcast for teachers and advisers. The 20-minute interview with Francisco starts from 6 mins 30 seconds.

Whether you're a teacher, careers advisor or pastoral support at a local or faraway school, there are lots of other activities and resources that UEA can offer to help your students make informed decisions about higher education.