English and Philosophy

English and Philosophy BA at Keele is an exciting programme for those passionate about human thought, creativity, and expression. You’ll explore literary texts and works of philosophy, while developing critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. Placement opportunities through the programme allow you to apply your skills in professional environments, preparing you for a range of careers in publishing, media, education, and beyond.

Why choose this course?
• Top 5 in England for English (Guardian University Guide, 2026)



• English ranked Top 10 in England (NSS 2025, broad-based universities)*



• Philosophy ranked Top 10 in the UK for student positivity* NSS 2023 (Broad-based universities) *based on overall student satisfaction, which is an average score across 27 questions asked in the NSS



• Top 20 in England for Philosophy (Guardian University Guide, 2025)



• Become a skilled analyst of literature of all kinds, from poetry to graphic novels to political speeches



Our English and Philosophy degree is a dynamic, interdisciplinary programme designed for students who are passionate about exploring the depths of human thought, creativity, and expression.

Throughout the course, you will study a wide range of literary texts from the Medieval to the modern period, and have the chance to explore areas such as American literature, children’s literature, film adaptation, and creative writing. You will also learn about different philosophical traditions past and present, including Anglo-American, Indian, Greek, and German philosophy, while engaging with the fundamental questions of existence, ethics, and meaning.

Work alongside an academic team who are experts in their fields, and hear talks and readings from a variety of published novelists, poets, and thinkers, through the Keele Hall Readings series, the Royal Institute of Philosophy and the ‘Jean-Jacques Rousseau’ Annual Lecture and Conference. 

*We have compared the positivity ratings of all participating UK institutions using the NSS 2025 sector data to determine Keele's position relative to other broad-based universities (i.e. excluding specialist institutions and further education colleges).

About Keele

At Keele, you will have the opportunity to engage in projects and placements, combining your degree with practical experience to apply your learning to real-world scenarios and kick-start your career. Through module selection, you can tailor your degree to your future aspirations and even study abroad at a partner university, gaining global perspectives, learning a foreign language, and building cultural awareness. 
About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.

Career focused courses, a vibrant student community and a beautiful 600-acre campus – this is Keele.

Whether you’re a passionate natural scientist, or eager to explore law, business, humanities or social sciences, our innovative courses are designed with your future in mind. Many of our courses offer a placement opportunity – just one of our initiatives that prepare you for real-world success.

Recognised for outstanding student experience and teaching quality, we were ranked a Top 10 UK university for student satisfaction across 15 subjects (National Student Survey 2025, broad-based English universities) and achieved Double Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2017 and 2023).

Located in the Staffordshire countryside, but within easy reach of a bustling town, vibrant city and our noisy neighbours of Manchester and Birmingham, Keele truly offers the best of both worlds: a close-knit campus community and an exciting local area to explore.

We’d love to see you on campus soon.