Why study this course

On our English Literature and History (BA) programme, you’ll be able to explore the span of English literature and take history modules that develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural structures of past societies.

Our historical expertise reaches an extraordinary breadth of periods, societies, and places, spanning the British Isles, Europe (east and west), Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In English literature, you won’t be restricted to studying the printed word: we are intrigued by the connections between literature and film, art, history, technology, language, and everyday life, and our teaching reflects these interests. The focus throughout the degree is on your becoming a careful and informed reader and writer who can communicate precisely, stylishly, and effectively. You’ll become a versatile, highly employable researcher who is both critically independent and collaborative.

Criss-crossing this wide range of time spans and perspectives, you’ll cultivate intellectual skills such as the ability to assess literary and historical evidence critically, to evaluate different interpretations of the evidence, to construct arguments on the basis of evidence, and to express opinions cogently in speech and in writing. Our modules give you the opportunity to study both well-established areas, such as political, social, cultural and gender history, or explore areas that might be new to you, such as environmental history or digital history. On our joint degree, you’ll develop the skills so advantageous in our digital age: creativity, empathy, critical thinking, persuasive communication skills and the ability to challenge and question.

Learning and assessment

Research is central to the student experience at Cardiff University and all our teaching is informed by the latest findings.

We offer a supportive learning environment, where you'll acquire a range of skills and a wealth of specialist knowledge. You’ll learn through a wide range of teaching methods from interactive lectures, lively discussion-based seminars and workshops, to group work and tutorials. These on-campus activities will be blended with a range of online environments that will enhance your learning experience and enable you to extend your studies beyond the classroom. Seminars and workshops offer a rewarding experience to engage critically with the key ideas and reading on a topic. They provide a valuable opportunity to explore ideas and work closely with your lecturers and to learn from other students. In the second part of your degree, you have the opportunity to undertake independent projects with the support of an expert in the field and one-to-one tuition (second and final year in history, and final year in English literature).

Our teaching methods foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team-working, independent research and time management in a supportive environment.