English and Philosophy Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

English and philosophy both explore and explain human existence. The great themes of literature and debates about language run together with the big issues of philosophy, asking questions such as:

* what are the struggles, conflicts and challenges of human life?

* how should we navigate the social, moral and personal struggles that make up our everyday lives?

You’ll explore a diverse range of themes in both disciplines, and develop highly transferable and sought after skills that can be applied to a wide range of professions.

You'll study each subject separately, but equally.

In philosophy, you'll explore traditional topics such as ethics and philosophy of mind alongside emerging areas like environmental and social philosophy. In English, you’ll study the full range of English, including language, literature, linguistics and drama from Old English to the present day.

The range of modules in both subjects will ensure you'll be able to follow your interests wherever they take you. 

### Explore more

* [I know what I want to do for a career](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/i-know-what-i-want-to-do-for-a-career.html)  

* [I am unsure what career I’d like](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/i-m-unsure-what-career-i-d-like---.html)  

* [Get involved](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/getting-work-experience.html) - make the most of your time at university 

### Your departments

This course is a collaboration between two departments. Find out more about what it’s like to study in the [School of English](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/prospective/undergraduate/index.aspx) and [Department of Philosophy](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/departments/philosophy/study-with-us/undergraduate/undergraduate-degrees.aspx). 

### Course highlights

* Unleash your creativity in a [UNESCO City of Literature](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/nottingham-city-of-literature.html "Overview of City of Literature") and put your skills into practice by getting involved with [Impact Magazine](https://impactnottingham.com/ "Impact homepage"), the [Creative Writing Society,](https://su.nottingham.ac.uk/activities/view/creative-writing?_gl=1*zdtiqu*_gcl_au*MTI3OTY3MDIzNC4xNzI3ODgzMTU4*_ga*NzAzMzAzOTMzLjE3Mjc4ODMxNTg.*_ga_NTJWP5TDWB*MTcyOTAwNDYxMi4yNDQuMS4xNzI5MDA2NzU2LjYwLjAuMA.. "Creative Writing Society") or the [Words on Words blog](https://uonenglish.substack.com/s/words-on-words "Blog site for the School of English").

* Tailor your degree with a wide range of optional modules focused on your interests, and benefit from research-driven learning led by experts at the forefront of their fields.

* Explore real-world challenges across interdisciplinary themes with our ‘Engaged Arts’ optional modules.

### Proven results

* We’re ranked 8th in the UK for English in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 14th in the UK for philosophy in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026.

* The average starting salary for English undergraduates was £27,023 and for philosophy and theology and religious studies undergraduates was £28,500 (both within 15 months of graduation, HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).