English and Philosophy BA

Course overview

This course combines a rigorous training in analytical philosophy with the opportunity to study English language, literature and drama from Old English to the present day. You will develop important skills in clear thinking, argument, the use of language, and independent study.

Year one 

In English, you have a choice of three core modules from the areas of English language, modern English literature, medieval studies and drama. In philosophy, you will be introduced to the subject through a series of core modules in central philosophical problems and you will also be able to choose optional modules.

Year two

In English, you will choose core modules to develop your studies in at least two areas of the discipline. You will also have the opportunity to choose one literary period option, to explore how and why literature can be read in terms of an historical 'age' or 'epoch'. In philosophy, there is a further core module in a central area of philosophy and a variety of optional modules that allow you to develop and broaden your philosophical skills and knowledge.

Year three

You choose from a wide range of modules enabling you to specialise in key areas of English. Joint honours students enjoy the same wide range of final-year options in English as single honours. In philosophy, there will be free choice from a wide variety of more advanced modules, including the opportunity to write a dissertation on a topic of your own choosing.

More information 

See also the School of English.

Entry requirements

A levels: AAB/A*AC/A*BB, A/A* in English literature or English language at A level; also C in maths at GCSE

We do not require any particular A-level subjects to study philosophy, and we are happy to accept most A-level qualifications. However, we are looking for a combination of A-level subjects that shows you are prepared to embark on degree-level study of philosophy; this requires the capacity to make sense of often difficult material, think critically about the different arguments and ideas you encounter, and communicate the results of your thinking in written and verbal form.

Certain A-levels – those sometimes called ‘academic’ or ‘traditional’ subjects – are better preparation for a philosophy degree than their vocational counterparts, because they will help you to start developing these skills. Therefore we recommend that no more than one of the following is used in applying for entry to philosophy:

• Art
• Art and Design
• Ceramics
• Citizenship Studies
• Communication and Culture
• Communication Studies
• Dance
• Design and Technology
• Economics and Business
• Home Economics
• Leisure Studies
• Music Technology
• Performance Studies
• Photography
• Physical Education
• Textiles
• Theatre Studies
• Travel and Tourism

We do accept General Studies for entry to this degree programme. However, while we do not consider it to be a 'vocational’ subject, we think it is less useful as preparation for degree-level study than other A-level subjects.

• Assessment of your application: if you apply to us with General Studies, you must also be studying at least two more 'academic' subjects at A-level, and you must be predicted at least a B in both subjects.

• Satisfying your offer: if we then make you an offer, general studies can be included as one of your grades, either with one 'academic' and one 'vocational' subject, or with two 'academic' subjects.

Please feel free to contact the departments for further advice.

English language requirements 

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 100 (no less than 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking)

Alternative qualifications 

For details please see the alternative qualifications page

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

Year-one modules

Your course is split equally between philosophy and English in year one. Your core modules include:

• Elementary Logic
• Locke, Appearance and Reality
• Moral Philosophy
• Reasoning and Argument: An Introduction to Philosophical Method
• Self, Mind and Body

You will also choose from a selection of optional modules. These typically include:

• Plato
• Issues in Feminist Philosophy
• Reasons for Action
• Applied Ethics
• Philosophy of Religion
• Introduction to Drama
• Language and Context
• Beginnings of English
• Studying Literature

Year-two modules

Year two of your course is split equally between philosophy and English. You have one core module:

•  The Nature of Meaning

You will also take a number of optional modules in both subjects. The modules on offer typically include:

• Epistemology
• History of Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Normative Ethics
• Philosophy of Mind
• Political Philosophy
• Analysing Performance
• Medieval Englishes: Variation and Continuity
• Invention and Tradition
• Ice and Fire: Myths and Heroes of the North
• The Canterbury Tales
• Crime, Conscience, and Correction 1603-1700

Year-three modules

Year three of your course is split equally between the two subjects. You choose from a range of specialised modules in both English and philosophy. Typical modules on offer include:

• Advanced Logic
• Environmental Ethics
• Free Will and Action
• Issues of Indeterminism
• Marx
• Merleau-Ponty
• Metaethics
• Naming and Necessity
• Narrative, Language, and Mind
• Reality, Representation, and Truth
• Philosophy of Art
• Philosophy of Science
• Sociolinguistics
• Cognitive Poetics
• Rhetoric
• The Psychology of Second Language Acquisition
• English Place Names
• Outlaws, Ghosts and Heroes: Iceland and its Medieval Literature

Skills and careers

You will have developed your imagination and sensitivity to the use of language, and the ability to abstract, analyse, and construct logical arguments. You will have a broad knowledge of a variety of philosophical theories and of key areas of English studies, including language, modern literature, and literary theory, along with an in-depth understanding of the areas on which you have chosen to focus. Your transferable skills will include effective communication, critical thinking, and independent study.

Average starting salary

The average starting salary for 2009/10 full-time graduates of the Department of Philosophy was £18,359.38 and for the School of English it was £19,703.70.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2009/10.