English Literature and Philosophy (BA)
- UCAS code: VQ53
- Next intake: September 2021
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
In this thought-provoking degree, you can combine your love of English Literature with your passion for exploring some of the fundamental questions of existence.
How should we live our lives? What should we believe? How should we set about trying to answer these questions? How are we even able to think about them? Philosophy investigates these profound issues.
As the world’s oldest academic discipline, Philosophy has developed an impressive range of concepts and techniques for addressing complicated problems. We equip you to analyse and construct complex chains of reasoning for yourself, developing and refining your thinking skills to consider the global philosophical puzzles of our time.
In English literature, we offer access to the complete chronological span, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 21st century. Our curriculum is far from restricted to the printed word – we are intrigued by the connections between literature and film, art, music, history, language, and popular culture, and our teaching reflects this dynamic crossover. This allows you to shape your degree to suit, choosing a traditional path of multiple periods and genres or a more dynamic mix combining literary study with analysis of other cultural forms.
We offer a challenging and flexible programme of modules, supported by a friendly atmosphere and excellent staff-student relationships. Experts in their fields, our lecturers are all active researchers, sharing latest thinking in the classroom including their own cutting-edge research. Our stimulating Cardiff Book Talk, Cardiff Poetry Experiment, Philosophy Café and annual Festival of Philosophy offer more opportunities to explore contemporary themes and global issues with the wider public.
Distinctive features
English Literature offers teaching across the whole chronological and geographical span, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 21st century. Our reputation for theoretically informed reading brings texts into dialogue with contemporary concerns from gender, and identity to digital technology.
Philosophy examines fundamental philosophical questions from both the analytic and continental traditions, assessing arguments from philosophers across the ages. Investigating some of the most influential writings in Western literature, we cover moral philosophy; political philosophy; the nature of mind and language; the fundamental nature of reality; and the nature of knowledge and belief.
Taught by academics undertaking research in a wide range of specialisms, you will engage with the latest ideas and approaches, with a focus on ethics, politics and aesthetics in literature and society.
Where you'll study
School of English, Communication and Philosophy
Powered by pioneering research, we celebrate curiosity, engage in informed debate and critical analysis, and encourage creative thinking - across and beyond our disciplines.
Entry requirements
ABB-BBB including English Literature, English Literature and Language or Creative Writing. Please note, General Studies and Critical Thinking will not be accepted.
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DD-DM in a BTEC Diploma in Humanities or Social Science subjects, plus Grade B in A-Level English Literature, English Language & Literature (combined A-Level).
Award of the IB Diploma with 665 in 3 HL subjects including 6 at HL in English Literature, English Language and Literature or English Literature and Performance.
Other UK qualifications may also be accepted, often in lieu of A-levels, but subject requirements must be met. If you are offering non-UK qualifications, our qualification equivalences guide should allow you to calculate what kind of offer you are likely to receive.
Please be aware that this is a general guide, and that some programmes may have more detailed or specific entry requirements which will be reflected in your offer.
Find out about our Schools' admissions criteria, offer guarantee scheme, changes to programmes and translating your documents.
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 51 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
GCSE English Language Grade C or 4 or an accepted English Language equivalent
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course. If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year. Fees for the previous year were £9,000.
Students from outside the EU (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year.
Additional costs
Course specific equipment
You will not need any specific equipment.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
This full-time course lasts for three years with two semesters per year, split between the two subjects. There are 120 credits a year. Most modules are worth 20 credits.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2021/22 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2021.
Year one
You study 120 credits each year of your degree, taking 60 credits in each discipline from a range of core and optional modules.
Year one offers a foundation for study, designed to equip you with the skills for advanced study and to give you an overview of your subjects that will enable you to make informed choices from the modules available in years two and three.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Reading and Critical Writing | SE2146 | 20 credits |
| Mind, Thought and Reality | SE4101 | 20 credits |
| Moral and Political Philosophy | SE4103 | 20 credits |
| Critical Thinking | SE4107 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Drama: Stage and Page | SE2139 | 20 credits |
| Star-cross'd Lovers: the Politics of Desire | SE2140 | 20 credits |
| Transforming Visions: Text and Image | SE2142 | 20 credits |
| Transgressive Bodies in Medieval Literature | SE2147 | 20 credits |
| Ways of Reading | SE2148 | 20 credits |
Year two
You take 60 credits in each discipline, choosing from a large range of genre, period and critical/cultural modules.
In English Literature, you choose from a range of thematic, genre, period and geographical modules. You read a variety of texts in their historical and cultural contexts, while continuing to develop your critical methodologies and knowledge of the subject.
Philosophy modules equip you with a thorough understanding of the core arguments of the principal areas of philosophical enquiry and debate.
Year three
You take 60 credits in each discipline, choosing from a large number of genre, period and critical/cultural modules.
In English Literature, you will have gained experience of a variety of literary periods, topics, genres and approaches, developing your critical faculties and your skills in analysing texts and contexts. You choose between a range of more specialised modules that engage with current issues in research and scholarship in relation to authors and texts both well-known and possibly less familiar to you.
Within Philosophy, all modules reflect the latest research activities of our staff, building on the themes studied previously. You explore areas and texts that your module leaders are expanding.
You also have the opportunity to undertake research in a topic of your choice in either discipline through the optional dissertation module.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
We offer a supportive learning environment, where you are enabled to acquire a range of skills and a wealth of specialist knowledge. Our courses 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
You will be taught both by lecture and seminar. Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas.
Seminars provide an opportunity for you to explore the ideas outlined in the lectures. Seminars usually consist of about 15 students and the seminar leader (a member of the teaching team). Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small-group work and student-led presentations.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
20%
Guided independent study
80%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
19%
Guided independent study
81%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
18%
Guided independent study
82%
Placements
0%
How will I be supported?
Your scheduled contact hours will be supplemented by the opportunity for individual meetings with academic staff, by supportive academic progress meetings with your personal tutor and by the opportunity to attend research seminars and careers activities.
You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.
Feedback
We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback during tutorials, personalised feedback on written work, feedback lectures, generic written feedback and feedback on tutorial performance
Coursework will be marked by your module tutor and your tutor will give you written feedback on your work. You will also have a feedback class after each assessment. Students will be given general feedback in relation to examinations following the May/June examination period and you will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor as part of the monitored student self-assessment scheme.
Year 1
Written exams
35%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
65%
Year 2
Written exams
25%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
75%
Year 3
Written exams
25%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
75%
What skills will I practise and develop?
As a result of engaging fully with this course, you will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’, which will allow you to:
- grasp complex issues with confidence
- ask the right questions of complex texts
- have an imaginative appreciation of different views and options and analyse these critically
- identify and apply relevant data
- propose imaginative solutions of your own that are rooted in evidence
- communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and speech
- work to deadlines and priorities, managing a range of tasks at the same time
- learn from constructive criticism and incorporate its insights
- work as part of a team, developing a collaborative approach to problem-solving
- use IT programmes and digital media, where appropriate
- take responsibility for your own learning programme and professional development.
Careers
Career prospects
Our graduates progress into a wide range of careers using the skills gained throughout their degrees. Some choose to pursue professions making direct use of their discipline expertise, while others enter the public or private sectors, from teaching to graduate-track management.
Our graduates progress into a wide range of careers using the skills gained throughout their degrees. Some choose to pursue professions making direct use of their discipline expertise, while others enter the public or private sectors, from teaching to graduate-track management.
95% of the Schools’ 2016/17 graduates reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey).
Taking the Class of 2017 as our most recent example, graduates from the School have gone on to roles in education, marketing, publishing, public relations, the civil service, the military, banking and insurance, and the charity sector.
During your degree you can take full advantage of the wide-range of opportunities provided by the Careers Service.
