English Literature and Philosophy BA (Hons)
University of Birmingham
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) 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

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

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

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Philosophy
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English
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A level
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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England
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Northern Ireland
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Course info

A BA English Literature and and Philosophy degree equips you to express your thoughts and ideas in a creative and convincing way. You’ll combine persuasive expression in the study of English Literature with different philosophical perspectives, as you discover how literary culture and society have influenced each other. Delve into a range of complementary topics across literature and philosophy, including: Decadents and Moderns Romantics and Victorians Digital Futures Enterprising English The ...Read more

A BA English Literature and and Philosophy degree equips you to express your thoughts and ideas in a creative and convincing way. You’ll combine persuasive expression in the study of English Literature with different philosophical perspectives, as you discover how literary culture and society have influenced each other. Delve into a range of complementary topics across literature and philosophy, including: Decadents and Moderns Romantics and Victorians Digital Futures Enterprising English The Use of Genre: Nefarious Plots, Cheap Thrills and the Search for Meaning Utopia/Dystopia Being Good and Doing Right: Issues in Contemporary Moral Theory Global Bioethics Minds, Brains and Computers: Issues in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science Nietzsche Prejudice, Race and Gender Reason and Belief: Topics in Epistemology Science and Nature You’ll build a degree focused on your particular interests, developing your reasoning and analytical skills. Make use of our wide-ranging work-based placements and employability-focused modules, ensuring that you graduate with sought-after experience of the creative industries.


Why study this course?

BA English Literature and Philosophy is for you if you want to:


Get a head start in the graduate market

- kick-start your career with our employability modules, including options that provide a minimum of 70 hours' work experience within a sector you're interested in, assist organisations with developing, planning and pitching their business proposals and get involved with public engagement projects.


Go beyond the printed book

- take advantage of the wide ranging expertise within our academic community and delve into the study of social media, marketing, textual production, video games, comics, art, music and film and TV.


Enjoy fantastic module variety

- the amount of optional modules on offer will allow you to specialise more as you progress through your degree course, so that you can study areas of the discipline that interest you the most. Some module examples include Minds, Brains and Computers: Issues in Philosophy of Cognitive Science, Reasons to Believe: Topics in Epistemology and Fantastic Beasts and How to Understand them and Topics in Philosophy of Biology.


Get on board with the bard

- where better to study Shakespeare than in the town where he was born! Make use of our internationally renowned Shakespeare Institute based in Stratford-upon-Avon and collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and take part in fun and interactive study trips, such as the Stratford Residential, which includes creative sessions led by RSC artists and tickets to an RSC performance.


Live in a city that values the Arts and Humanities as much as you do

- did you know that inspiration for parts of The Lord of the Rings came from our very own campus (our clock tower Old Joe is thought to be the black tower of Isengard)! Explore Birmingham’s literary scene and get involved with the numerous on-campus writers groups, including our very own newspaper, radio and TV stations. Delve into the various city-wide literature festivals and take advantage of our exceptional resources, including our special collections and archives in the Cadbury Research Library and the Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library.


Top 15 for English in the Complete University Guide 2025


11th for Philosophy in the Complete University Guide 2025

Key stats

Philosophy
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
44/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
11th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13th
English Studies (Non-Specific)
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 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
English Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK English Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary
£18,000
Philosophy
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 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
88%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Philosophy graduate salary at this uni
£19,000
UK Philosophy graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
B
Bianca
01 Mar 24

After only a few months here, I feel so well-established already, and have made so many wonderful memories! My priority was to live at home and commute, and the University Train..Read more

A
Amy
23 Feb 24

Lovely campus, great course, good staff. Nice food..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Module Options
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

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

To include A Level English Literature or A Level English Language and Literature

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects, to include Literature or Literature and Language.

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus an A at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Diploma: DD, plus an A at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level, including an A in the required A-level subject/s mentioned above..

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Popular A-level subjects

English Studies (Non-Specific)

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

English Literature
80%
History
46%
Psychology
20%
English Language
19%
Religious Studies & Theology
18%
HESA
Philosophy

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

Psychology
68%
Religious Studies & Theology
35%
English Literature
28%
History
27%
Biology
26%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Philosophy reviews

Philosophy
Philosophy
English Language
English Literature
B
Bianca
01 Mar 24
Philosophy and Sociology BA (Hons)
After only a few months here, I feel so well-established already, and have made so many wonderful memories! My priority was to live at home and commute, and the University Train...
Read more
A
Amy
23 Feb 24
Philosophy BA (Hons)
Lovely campus, great course, good staff. Nice food...
Read more
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How Philosophy students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 12 reviews
5 star
42%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
8%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 1,423 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
9%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Birmingham
Academic and Student Division Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: University   0.2 miles away
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