BA Philosophy and English Literature
About this course
BA (Hons) in Philosophy and English Literature is an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Philosophy that investigates the intersections of creative texts and systematic philosophical inquiry. Core topics include Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, Fieldwork, Global & Comparative Perspective, Project Management, Research Methods, and Social & Cultural Analysis. Students may choose to complete the course over three years, extend it with a foundation year, or undertake an integrated placement year. The first year covers foundational ideas through compulsory modules such as The World Religions, Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing, Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Questions, Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment, and Into ARU. Year 2 introduces practical and theoretical frameworks with compulsory studies including Ethics in Theory, Ethics in Practice: Healthcare, Law, and the Environment, Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters, and Ruskin Module, alongside optional topics such as Philosophical Texts: From Descartes to Kant, Critical Social Thought: Knowledge, Power and Division, Science Fiction, Film Criticism and Reviewing, Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations, From Modernism to the Millenium, Mind and Consciousness, Performing Shakespeare, and Anglia Language Programme. The final year examines advanced themes through compulsory modules Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama and Philosophy of Evil and Criminality. Students can tailor their studies further through diverse optional modules such as Philosophy Research Project, Undergraduate Major Project in English, Renaissance Magic, Writing Poetry, Knowledge and Doubt: From Antiquity to the Digital Age, Crime and Detective Fiction, Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self, New Media Discourse, Philosophy of Education, Communication, Flesh, Philosophy, Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books, Global Feminisms, Environment, Nature and Society, Life Writing, The Making of Modern Media, and Anglia Language Programme, which allow for independent research through a major project or dissertation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
112-96 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, OCR, Access to HE and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff. Must include a grade C or above in English Language or English Literature at A level or equivalent level. 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above. If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 ( Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 25%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals: 10%
- Animal care and control services: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 60%
- London: 5%
- South East: 20%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- Other qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- The World Religions
- Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing
- Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Questions
- Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment
- Into ARU
- Ethics in Theory
- Ethics in Practice: Healthcare, Law, and the Environment
- Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters
- Ruskin Module
- Philosophical Texts: From Descartes to Kant
- Critical Social Thought: Knowledge, Power and Division
- Science Fiction
- Film Criticism and Reviewing
- Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations
- From Modernism to the Millenium
- Mind and Consciousness
- Performing Shakespeare
- Anglia Language Programme
- Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama
- Philosophy of Evil and Criminality
- Philosophy Research Project
- Undergraduate Major Project in English
- Renaissance Magic
- Writing Poetry
- Knowledge and Doubt: From Antiquity to the Digital Age
- Crime and Detective Fiction
- Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self
- New Media Discourse
- Philosophy of Education
- Communication, Flesh, Philosophy
- Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books
- Global Feminisms
- Environment, Nature and Society
- Life Writing
- The Making of Modern Media
- Anglia Language Programme
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University earn?
The median salary is £23,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £26,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £33,500. The £26,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Literature in English.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University?
The average entrant had 99 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy and English Literature at Anglia Ruskin University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.