Course Overview

Cross the boundaries of subjects and disciplines and build a unique degree that is aligned with your intellectual interests and career objectives.

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 alongside the supportive and inclusive teaching techniques of UEA’s academics, while retaining a home and core support network within the Liberal Arts team.

Our creative and flexible 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.

A placement year will also give you the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a working environment, which will allow you to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired over the rest of your degree.

About

Studying Liberal Arts at UEA allows you to enjoy the prospect of taking control of your studies while still being supported by a course structure.

This is an innovative and challenging programme aimed at ambitious and versatile students who do not want to be limited by traditional disciplinary boundaries. Our course is ideal if you wish to study more than one subject area while accessing greater flexibility than traditional joint degrees allow. Whichever subjects you choose, you will be learning at the forefront of your chosen disciplines with our stimulating, exciting research-led programme.

The course offers in-depth learning in your chosen field of specialisation, selected from subjects within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, which will constitute your major. This is then complemented by the study of other subjects alongside it, selected from within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences, or the Faculty of Science, which will constitute your minor.

You might choose your major from History of Art, Film and Television Studies, Media Studies, American Studies, History, English Literature, Drama, International Relations, Politics, Philosophy, or Modern Languages. You might choose your minor from one of those subjects, producing a unique combination of Arts and Humanities otherwise unavailable. Or you might think beyond those subjects and pursue your minor in subjects such as Sociology, Mathematics, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, or Computing Science. Your choice of subjects to study can produce some remarkable connections and insights! You might master writing and storytelling through the study of English Literature while gaining a competent grasp of Computing, equipping you for a host of digital careers. Or perhaps you’re motivated by the urgency of the Climate Crisis. Imagine combining the study of Philosophy – with a chance to explore our moral responsibility to the planet – with an understanding of Environmental Science.

Your year in placement will give you first-hand knowledge of your chosen field and generate crucial employer contacts to give you an advantage in the job market. Upon graduation you will be well equipped to follow one of a wide range of public or private sector careers, or use your skills to pursue other graduate opportunities.

If you are looking for the freedom to follow your interests and passions, wherever these might take you, then Liberal Arts at UEA will be for you. This course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead and innovate. Whilst studying Liberal Arts at UEA, you will build an original and unique portfolio of expertise that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Placement Year and Study Abroad

Relevant work experience is an incredibly useful asset in today’s competitive job market, and our Placement Year programme ensures you will graduate one step ahead of other students. You will gain first-hand knowledge, secure valuable contacts, and learn how to put theory into practice, working within time and financial constraints.

You will be expected to seek your own work placement. In the first two weeks of your second year, you’ll write a CV and apply to a range of companies. Not only will this ensure that you work within your preferred field, it will also provide you with the essential job-hunting skills you will require after graduation. We will offer our guidance and support while you are identifying and negotiating placement opportunities.

Please note that we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers.

If you are unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year, you will have the option to transfer onto the equivalent degree programme without a Placement Year or take the Year Abroad option.

This version of the degree gives you the opportunity and support to greatly enhance your employability by securing and undertaking a year-long placement in the third year of your degree. Find out more about this exciting opportunity on our 'Placement Years in Arts and Humanities' page.

Employability

After the Course

Liberal Arts at UEA will provide you with a competitive edge in today’s jobs market, giving you the transferable skills, breadth of experience and adaptability that employers seek. Liberal Arts graduates are highly employable and especially attractive to employers because of the range of their intellectual skills, their capacity to make creative connections, and their independence of mind. As a result, Liberal Arts programmes produce world leaders in the arts, culture and media industries, politics, education, business, marketing, advertising, humanitarian work, technology, public service, amongst many other professions in the private and public sectors.

Careers

Example of careers that you could enter include:

Consultancy and Management
Education
Culture and Media Industries
Civil Service
NGOs
Public Relations and Marketing

Discover more on our Careers webpages.

Entry Requirements

A Levels

ABB. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer alongside an A in the EPQ.

T Levels

Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.

BTEC

DDM. Excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration.  See below for accepted subjects and combinations.

Contextual Offer

A Levels - BBC

BTEC L3 Extended Diploma - DDM

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.

Scottish Highers

AAABB

Scottish Advanced Highers

BCC. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.

Irish Leaving Certificate

3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3

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

International Baccalaureate

32 points

GCSE

You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.

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: 6.5 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.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

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: 

Interviews

Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Hub. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required, the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.

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.

Intakes

This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.

Additional Information or Requirements

BTEC Combinations:

Extended Diploma: DDM

Diploma: DD plus B at A-level

Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A-level

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes

Selected optional minors in science related subjects may require prerequisite specific Level 3 subject knowledge or experience in that subject. These minors / modules may be unavailable to you if you do not hold evidence of this specific subject knowledge at Level 3 or above. Please see the table below for further details.

Prerequisite Subject Knowledge Requirements:
Optional Minor Subject	Subject Knowledge Required @ Level 3
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning	Mathematics, Computing Science, Digital Technology, Electronics. or Economics
Evolutionary Biology	Biology or Human Biology
Inorganic Chemistry	Chemistry
Mathematics	Mathematics
Molecular and Cellular Biology	Biology or Human Biology
Organic Chemistry	Chemistry
Physical Chemistry	Chemistry
Sociology	None
Weather and Climate	Geography, Geology, Maths, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics

There are no subject-specific prerequisite requirements for the majors and minors in Arts and Humanities subjects: History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology and Art History, History of Art with Gallery and Museum Studies, Film Studies, Media Studies, American Studies, American History, American Literature, History, Modern History, English Literature, Drama, Drama and Creative Writing, International Relations, Politics, Philosophy, Intercultural Communication and Modern Languages.

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.

We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.

International Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.

NTO University of East Anglia

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: International Foundation in Humanities and Law

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Fees and Funding

Course Related Costs

You are eligible for reduced fees during your placement year. Further details are available on our Tuition Fees webpages.

There may be extra costs related to items such as travel and accommodation during your placement year, which will vary depending on location.

Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other 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:

How to apply through UCAS

Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.

BA (Hons) Liberal Arts with a Placement Year

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