BA (Hons) English Literature and Philosophy
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
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84%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course 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 (opens in a new window)and Philosophy Societies(opens in a new window) and Philosophy Public Lecture Series(opens in a new window) 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.
Careers
Career Pathways
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.
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.
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(opens in a new window).
- 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(opens in a new window) 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(opens in a new window).
- 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(opens in a new window) applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window) 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. (opens in a new window)
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: