Liberal Arts (Including Year Abroad) BA (Hons)
University of Essex
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
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Qualification

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

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Location

Colchester Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

OCT-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

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

Location

Colchester Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

OCT-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Sociology
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Exam type

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A level
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UCAS Tariff
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Access to HE Diploma
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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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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Course info

Knowledge is rooted in the experiences of people across the world. It is created from memory, culture, landscape and myth. This knowledge is often split into separate ‘disciplines’ such as those in the sciences, maths, history, geography, literature and art. However, true knowledge does not recognise these boundaries; the world is complex, interconnected and networked.Our course is for you if you love studying a variety of subjects, and want to maintain this breadth of knowledge at university. ...Read more

Knowledge is rooted in the experiences of people across the world. It is created from memory, culture, landscape and myth. This knowledge is often split into separate ‘disciplines’ such as those in the sciences, maths, history, geography, literature and art. However, true knowledge does not recognise these boundaries; the world is complex, interconnected and networked.Our course is for you if you love studying a variety of subjects, and want to maintain this breadth of knowledge at university. With the opportunity to major in History, Literature, Art History, Philosophy, Politics, Media Studies or Sociology, you broaden your horizons by exploring the ways in which the humanities and social sciences help us to think imaginatively and critically about the worlds we live in.You take modules which cover the historical foundations of the humanities, challenge dominant worldviews, and explore innovative and subversive essays and manifestos. The flexible structure of this course allows you to choose a range of optional modules across literature, film, philosophy, history of art, history, linguistics, politics, sociology and modern languages.The types of issues and problems you might explore include:- How commercial and independent films interpret human relationships- How to compose your own writing, inspired by the great essayists- Important philosophical questions about life, death and religion- Great works of art and literature- LanguagesBased within our Interdisciplinary Studies Centre (ISC), the choice is yours: you choose your modules based on your own background and interests. You engage with unusual, controversial, and provocative ideas, so that you can use the humanities and social sciences to become critically aware and possess the tools to change the world for the better.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
35/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
47th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
30th
Humanities (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 - 75 = 25% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
25%
Others in Language and Area Studies
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 - 75 = 25% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
25%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
85%
Sociology
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 - 75 = 25% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
25%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Sociology graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Sociology graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
T
Thuhaila
06 Mar 25

Library is the BEST. Can't even tell you how many all-nighters I pulled in there. It's 24/7 and as a night owl that's super important. The location is okay. You have to take a..Read more

Q
Quinn
28 Feb 24

We might not have the prettiest campus in the country but the vibe here is great. Our facilities are above average and the staff genuinely care about us and are so helpful when..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBB Grades / Points required

UCAS Tariff:

112 - 120 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:6,M:39 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

29 - 30 Grades / Points required

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

DDM Grades / Points required

Offers will be made in the range of BBB to BBCor 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels

Offers will be made from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.

We can only accept QAA approved Access to HE Diplomas

"Or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.We are happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standar"

Offers will be made in the range of DDM to DMMor 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levelsEntry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.

Popular A-level subjects

Sociology

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

Sociology
63%
Psychology
35%
English Literature
27%
History
22%
Religious Studies & Theology
16%
HESA
Others in Language and Area Studies

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

French
35%
History
30%
Spanish
28%
English Literature
24%
Psychology
19%
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.

£18,585 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 EU

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

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

£18,585 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 International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£18585 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Liberal Studies reviews

Liberal Studies
Liberal Studies
Art Studies
T
Thuhaila
06 Mar 25
BA Liberal Arts
Library is the BEST. Can't even tell you how many all-nighters I pulled in there. It's 24/7 and as a night owl that's super important. The location is okay. You have to take a...
Read more
Q
Quinn
28 Feb 24
BA Liberal Arts
We might not have the prettiest campus in the country but the vibe here is great. Our facilities are above average and the staff genuinely care about us and are so helpful when...
Read more
Review breakdown
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How Liberal Studies students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 7 reviews
5 star
29%
4 stars
57%
3 stars
14%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 2,427 reviews
5 star
42%
4 stars
45%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

University of Essex
University of Essex , Colchester

The University of Essex is proud to be the academic home of the inquisitive, the brave, and the bold....

Student rating
( 4.3) View reviews
CUG ranking
30th
University of Essex
University of Essex Wivenhoe Park Colchester Essex CO4 3SQ United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Hythe   0.6 miles away

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