This exciting new degree brings together the best of English and History. Discover literature from across the world and diverse historical periods. Our graduates enjoy excellent career prospects in fields like teaching, publishing, librarianship and arts administration.

Combining two subjects boosts your employability and gives you the opportunity to develop knowledge and expertise in two subject areas, making you a more versatile graduate.

English and History is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature, but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. This means your studies will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics. You will be introduced to a range of cultural expression from across the globe and from diverse historical periods.

With a range of optional modules across English and History (covering various themes and theories in literature as well as the history of different nations and time periods) you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your area of interest and your career goals.

You could not have a better backdrop to your studies of English and History than Derbyshire. One of the centres of the British Enlightenment during the eighteenth century, the county has a strong literary heritage and inspired many great writers including Jane Austen, Walter Scott, Charlotte Brontё, George Eliot and Henry James.

You will learn through lectures, seminars, self-directed study, tutorials, study visits, workshops, and work-related learning. We also use digital learning materials to support you in your studies. We encourage discussion and debate through all our modules, and in individual research projects and student-led presentations, you will have the opportunity to shape your own learning.

Studying English and History provides you with transferable creative and analytical skills to give you excellent career prospects when you graduate. At Derby you will gain attributes beyond those traditionally associated with History and English graduates. You will not only build your academic capabilities but also apply your historical knowledge to the workplace. We encourage you to develop skills in areas such as presentation and teamworking, which will help you stand out in the job market.You may consider a career in:Writing, editing or publishingJournalismMarketing, advertising or eventsArt and Literature-based organisations such as media centres, museums or galleriesTeachingCivil service or LawLocal governmentHuman ResourcesRecent graduates have taken up professional roles in local government, in Human Resource roles for major national businesses, and in project consultancy roles in global companies.

On the Joint Honours programme, there are different pathways of study available. You can often study both subjects equally or choose to major in a subject. Please view the course page on our website for more information on pathways.