English Literature and History BA (Hons)
Newcastle University
Student rating
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( 4.2) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site (Newcastle)

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

15-SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site (Newcastle)

Study mode

Full time

Start date

15-SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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English
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History
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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Course info

Study social, political, and literary cultures across historical periods from the Ancient World to today.Course overviewThis three-year joint honours degree focuses on developing your skills and abilities to critically analyse both historical topics and works of literature.Youll graduate as a confident and independent learner, with a solid grounding in two fascinating subjects, ready for your future career.Youll study a range of topics across both subject areas, including revolution, slavery, ...Read more

Study social, political, and literary cultures across historical periods from the Ancient World to today.

Course overview

This three-year joint honours degree focuses on developing your skills and abilities to critically analyse both historical topics and works of literature.

You'll graduate as a confident and independent learner, with a solid grounding in two fascinating subjects, ready for your future career.

You'll study a range of topics across both subject areas, including revolution, slavery, post-war societies, and radicalism across a variety of periods, literary texts, geographies and cultures.

You’ll study in a research-led environment, alongside scholars at the forefront of their fields.

Teaching methods

You can expect to spend around 10 hours per week attending lectures, seminars, workshops and film screenings.

You also spend around 25 hours per week on:

  • class preparation
  • reading
  • writing
  • other kinds of independent research recommended by your tutor

Employability

All Stage 2 students take part in the English Employability Challenge, an event run in collaboration with School alumni and the Newcastle University Careers Service. This event gives you the opportunity to take on real-life business situations with a brief set by an employer.

You have the option to gain work experience in the cultural industries in Stage 3. These experiences will develop your communication and management skills, as well as your ability to work in a team.

Key stats

English
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
16th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
26th
History
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
100%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
History graduate salary at this uni
£19,000
UK History graduate salary
£19,000
Literature in English
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
100%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Literature in English graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK Literature in English graduate salary
£18,000
What students say
K
Katie
01 Feb 24

The university has an incredible campus that inspires students, as well as providing places to sit and chat in between lectures. The city is very walkable, making it easy and..Read more

K
Kate
31 Jan 24

Best - Gorgeous university with very helpful seminar leaders. Lots of opportunities to get involved even if you’re not part of a society. Wide range of clubs for all different..Read more

Modules

Modules (Stage 1)
Modules (Stage 2)
Modules (Stage 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

AAABB Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:36,M:9 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,D3,M2 Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H1,H1,H2,H2,H3 Grades / Points required

Including History and either English Literature or English Language and Literature. We also welcome applicants with either History or English A-levels, who will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Including English and History. Advanced Higher English is preferred. Combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers accepted. We also welcome applicants with either History or English at Higher Grade, who will be considered on a case-by-case basis.Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

To include at least 9 level 3 credits in English Literature at Distinction and 9 level 3 credits in History at Distinction. We also welcome applicants with either History or English, who will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Including English and History. We also welcome applicants with either History or English Principal Subjects, who will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you offer the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification in a topic relevant to the degree programme, we may take this into account in our consideration of your application.

Including History and either English Literature or English Language and Literature at Higher Level, grade 5. We also welcome applicants with either History or English at higher Level, who will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

With minimum Grade H2 in English and History. We also welcome applicants with either History or English Higher Level, who will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Popular A-level subjects

Literature in English

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

English Literature
71%
English Language
46%
History
44%
Psychology
17%
Religious Studies & Theology
15%
HESA
History

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

History
59%
Psychology
38%
English Literature
29%
Biology
27%
Mathematics
15%
HESA

Latest reviews

Latest English Literature reviews

English Literature
English Literature
History
K
Katie
01 Feb 24
English Literature BA (Hons)
The university has an incredible campus that inspires students, as well as providing places to sit and chat in between lectures. The city is very walkable, making it easy and...
Read more
K
Kate
31 Jan 24
English Literature with Creative Writing BA (Hons)
Best - Gorgeous university with very helpful seminar leaders. Lots of opportunities to get involved even if you’re not part of a society. Wide range of clubs for all different...
Read more
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Uni info

Newcastle University
Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle University is a Global Top 125 university (QS World University Rankings 2023) and founding member of the prestigious...

Student rating
( 4.2) View reviews
CUG ranking
26th
Newcastle University
King's Gate Newcastle upon Tyne Northumberland NE1 7RU United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Newcastle Central  0.5 miles away
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