English and Philosophy BA (Hons)

The Philosophy component of this programme offers students a rigorous, inclusive, and research-informed education in philosophy. Students develop as analytical, critical, and creative thinkers, capable of engaging rigorously with abstract ideas and complex arguments, as well as with pressing ethical, political, and cultural issues. Students engage with philosophical traditions beyond the Western mainstream and with perspectives from historically underrepresented groups. Graduates of the programme are well prepared for postgraduate study and for a wide range of graduate careers, having developed advanced skills in critical reasoning, communication, independent enquiry, and ethical reflection, alongside the confidence to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with complex ideas in academic, professional, and public contexts.<br/><br/>On the English half of your programme, you will move from foundational, core modules, to a freer choice of modules covering move specific areas of study. In each year, you will take half of your credits in English and half from your other subject. The first year will build the knowledge and skills necessary for more advanced study in English literature and language. In years two and three, you will build on these in relation to more specialist topics. You can choose to maintain an even balance of language and literature study, or to specialise in one aspect of the subject.<br/><br/>This programme is available with a Year in Industry, which will be spent on paid placement within an organisation in industry, broadly defined. You will be supported by the School of the Arts and the Department throughout, and your reflexive written account of the experience will contribute towards your final degree result. Please note it is not possible to study both a Year in Industry and a Year Abroad on this programme.<br/><br/>This programme is available with either a Year in China or a Year Abroad. The Year in China offers undergraduate students the opportunity to spend one year at our joint venture, Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). You can choose either the China Studies Track, where you will take courses from the China Studies Degree, the Creative Track, or the Entrepreneurship Track . XJTLU is a fully English-speaking university, located in Suzhou. The Year Abroad offers students the opportunity to spend a full academic year studying at one of our partner universities around the world, following a mixture of culture and/or discipline-related modules. If you wish to study this programme with a Year in China or a Year Abroad you will have the opportunity to apply after you arrive at Liverpool.<br/><br/>Combined Degrees<br/>Most Combined Degrees allow you to adapt the weighting of each by 25% after the first year, helping you to keep your options open. Please note, however, students studying either a Business or Economics pathway in combination with another subject cannot increase from 25% to 50% or from 50% to 75% and it is not possible to transfer from a 50% to 75% Law. To find out more about your programme choice, please go first to our Combined Degrees webpages: liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/combined-degrees.