Liberal Arts BA (Hons)
Course Overview - Liberal Arts BA (Hons)
Summary
A liberal arts degree gives you the freedom to explore ideas across disciplines and shape your own path.
On this course, you will design a programme that reflects your interests, drawing from Arts, Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences. You will explore a wide range of topics while developing the ability to think critically, question ideas and make connections across subjects.
You will choose your own pathway and combine it with interdisciplinary study, building a broad and flexible understanding of the world. Along the way, yo...
<strong>Summary</strong><br/><br/>A liberal arts degree gives you the freedom to explore ideas across disciplines and shape your own path.<br/><br/>On this course, you will design a programme that reflects your interests, drawing from Arts, Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences. You will explore a wide range of topics while developing the ability to think critically, question ideas and make connections across subjects.<br/><br/>You will choose your own pathway and combine it with interdisciplinary study, building a broad and flexible understanding of the world. Along the way, you will develop skills in analysis, problem solving and communication that are valued across many careers.<br/><br/>As you progress, you will gain the confidence to engage with complex global challenges and adapt your knowledge to different contexts.<br/><br/><strong>Key features of the course</strong><br/><br/>Shape your degree through a dedicated pathway in Arts, Humanities, Languages or Social Sciences, alongside interdisciplinary modules.<br/><br/>Learn in small groups, with opportunities to explore your ideas in depth with expert academics.<br/><br/>Develop career focused skills throughout your studies, embedded across the course.<br/><br/>Study a language such as French, German, Portuguese or Spanish to build your global communication skills.<br/><br/>Spend a year abroad at a partner university in Europe, North America, Australia or Asia, gaining new cultural perspectives.<br/><br/>Use digital humanities facilities to explore ideas through technologies such as virtual reality, 3D scanning and immersive audio visual spaces.<br/><br/><strong>Student support</strong><br/><br/>You will be taught by experts who take the time to know you as an individual. Through small group seminars and support from your personal tutor, you will build confidence in your ideas and your direction of study.<br/><br/>You will also have access to wellbeing services, peer mentoring and dedicated careers support, all within a welcoming and supportive community.<br/><br/><strong>Further information</strong><br/><br/>BA Liberal Arts is a three year full time course based at Avenue Campus. You can choose to extend your degree with a year abroad or a placement year.<br/><br/>Find out more on our course page.
Course Information
1 option available
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Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
14/09/2026
Campus
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Application Details
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
Y000
Institution Code
S27
Points of Entry
Year 1
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not Accepted
Scottish Higher
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4 We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, all of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP): Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions Office for more information.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD
Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions for more information.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3,D3,M2
D3 D3 M2 in three principal subjects We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA in two A levels We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
A level
A,A,B
Typical Offer: AAB If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB and grade A in the EPQ We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. The following specific additional requirements for particular pathways apply. French A level French German A level German Music A level Music** Portuguese A level Portuguese or equivalent previous learning experience Spanish A level Spanish ** We can accept a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory where Music is not studied as an accepted Level 3 qualification. We recognise Music practical and theory exams from ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
B
AAB from 3 A levels or AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
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Fees and funding
| Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland | £9,535 | 2026/27 | Year 1 | |
| EU, International | £25,500 | 2026/27 | Year 1 |
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