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Why study in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences?

Criminology students

Humanities and social sciences courses

  • In the National Student Survey 2020, our BA (Hons) Philosophy and BA (Hons) Philosophy and English Literature were the top-rated philosophy courses in the UK with a 100% Overall Satisfaction score. Our BA (Hons) History scored over 94% for Overall Satisfaction and was ranked in top 20% in the UK.
  • In the Guardian University Guide 2021, our BA (Hons) Philosophy ranked 10th in the UK overall, top in the UK for 'Satisfied with Feedback' and 7th in the UK for 'Satisfied with Teaching'.
  • Our History research was awarded world-leading status in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
  • Learn from teaching staff who work with governmental organisations and public services to help inform future policy, and shape their courses accordingly.
  • As well as learning from our teaching staff, you’ll hear the opinions of renowned speakers at our many events.
  • Study abroad for one Semester, and apply for funding to help cover the cost.
  • Receive work placement opportunities and specialist careers advice, thanks to our links with the local community.
  • Every year, you'll have the chance to win one of our prizes for academic achievement, such as the Justin Wand Memorial Prize, awarded for the best performance in any degree with English or Philosophy in its title.

Literature, language and linguistics courses

  • In the National Student Survey 2020 our BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics ranked 7th in the UK for Overall Satisfaction with 95%.
  • We’ve taught English Literature at degree level for over 40 years and, over that period, have been considered one of the best departments in the country.
  • Your writing work will be supported by a team of published authors, including Dr Tory Young (author of Studying English Literature, a text used on many other university courses as well as our own), Professor Eugene Giddens (Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass: A Publishing History), and Laura Dietz (In The Tenth House; chapters in The Edinburgh Companion to the Short Story in English / New Writing) .
  • Our connections to local organisations such as EF, Cambridge University Press and CAMDoSA will give you many opportunities to attend guest lectures, seek work placements, or practise your classroom materials.
  • You can get feedback and support for your writing projects from our Royal Literary Fund Fellowship Scheme mentors.
  • ARU Global will give you the chance to study abroad and immerse yourself in another culture - the perfect opportunity to practise your languages and your language teaching skills.
  • Join our MA English Literature course and apply for a two-week internship with Shakespeare and Company, a busy Paris-based literary institution.
  • As one of our students, get automatically entered to win one of our prizes for academic achievement, all generously donated by various companies and organisations:
    • Ian Gordon Prize for the best dissertation in English
    • Skinner-Young Prize for the best performance on the module Shakespeare and his Contemporaries
    • Justin Wand Memorial Prize (see above)