English Literature and Philosophy - BA (Hons)

Cardiff University

How can literature and art shape our understanding of the world? What social factors influence who gets heard and who gets to participate in literature and public discourse? What challenges face society today, and how can literature and philosophy help address them? On our BA in English Literature and Philosophy, you’ll explore questions like these and learn to analyse complex problems, build evidence-based arguments and communicate your ideas clearly. You'll study writing across different periods, cultures and principal literary genres. But you won’t be restricted to only the printed word. We’re interested in the connections between literature and film, art, history, technology, language and everyday life. Explore how literature addresses social, environmental and economic concerns, and how it can contribute to a better, more inclusive world and sustainable solutions for the future of the planet. You’ll also develop a solid grounding in philosophy of language, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and moral and political philosophy and have opportunities to study areas such as aesthetics, feminist philosophy and phenomenology. Across the programme, you’ll connect theory with real-world questions. You’ll apply philosophical research to policies or strategies aimed at solving a real-world ethical or social problem and examine a single text in detail across a whole semester as the basis of a public-facing piece of work. You’ll graduate with professional skills including collaboration, communication and critical thinking. You’ll also understand ethical, social and linguistic challenges facing contemporary society and industry - and have the ideas and confidence to respond to them.

Choose modules across areas of English literature and different philosophical topics and traditions, and engage with new areas of research.

Critically and creatively engage with different types of texts, data and difficult questions.

Apply philosophical research to solve real-world social problems or engage with local communities about your studies.

Opportunities to study abroad in Europe and beyond, fostering independence and resilience.

Develop employability skills and experience in presenting your ideas in speech and writing.