Philosophy and English Literature
Explore the big questions that have puzzled humans for centuries, alongside works of English literature that offer unique perspectives on them.
Study Philosophy and English literature together and learn to make your point of view stand out with substance, as well as style.
You’ll consider big questions such as ‘Who are we?’, ‘What can we know?’, and ‘What should we do to lead worthwhile lives?’ and discover how great minds have tried to answer them.
Alongside this, you’ll explore how English literature is shaped by its historical and cultural context, and how, in turn, it influences readers and society. In doing this, you’ll also explore other subjects such as history, politics, religion, psychology and history of art.
Our English courses ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
Join a course ranked 3rd in the UK for organisation and management in the National Student Survey 2024.
Alumni success - Claire White
Since graduating, Claire has founded her own sound therapy business and also works as a Clinical Administrator.
Claire's story-
Our English courses ranked 3rd in the UK for “organisation and management” in the National Student Survey 2024
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Attend events with writers, publishers and other professionals and our Royal Institute of Philosophy lecture series
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Engage in philosophical discussions and debates through our student-led Philosophy Society
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Get support from expert lecturers, including published authors and our Royal Literary Fund Fellows
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Boost your employability: learn a language, take a placement year, and solve real-world challenges for local employers through live briefs
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Showcase your work and make new contacts at events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Course options
Key facts
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- The World Religions
- Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing
- Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Questions
- Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment
- Into ARU
- Ethics in Theory
- Philosophy of Art and Image
- Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Philosophical Texts: From Descartes to Kant *
- Science Fiction *
- Critical Social Theory *
- Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations *
- Film Criticism and Reviewing *
- From Modernism to the Millenium *
- Performing Shakespeare *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama
- Concepts of Good and Evil
- Philosophy Research Project *
- Undergraduate Major Project in English *
- Nature and the Absolute *
- Writing Poetry *
- Elizabeth Gaskell and the Brontës *
- Renaissance Magic *
- Knowledge and Doubt: From Antiquity to the Digital Age *
- Careers with English *
- Communication, Flesh, Philosophy *
- Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books *
- Romantic Ideals *
- Writing and the Present *
- Global Feminisms *
- Issues in Modern Philosophy *
- Research Communication *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Foundation in Humanities, English, Media, Social Sciences and Education
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work Placement - Humanities and Social Sciences
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Michael WilbyAssociate Professor of Philosophy
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Dr Cassie GormanAssociate Professor
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Dr Tristan MoyleSenior Lecturer
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Dr Alison AinleyAssociate Professor
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Dr Tory YoungAssociate Professor
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Professor Eugene GiddensProfessor
Student experience
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English Literature graduate Clive Thompson talks about how the course helped him change his life and become a teacher. Read more about Clive.
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Dr Jon Stone considers how poetry is changing in the digital age in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Dr Cassie Gorman discusses how the first telescopic images of the moon affected literature in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Prof Eugene Giddens discusses one famous line and two things you may not realise in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Dr Mike Wilby explains the philosophical underpinnings of artificial intelligence in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Dr Tory Young discusses the use of second-person in Ali Smith's short story 'May' in this 60 Second Seminar.
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Facilities
Join our student community and benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources.
You can also access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Our Royal Literary Fund Fellows can give you advice and guidance on with all your writing, whether it’s academic or creative.
Careers
Our BA (Hons) Philosophy and English Literature graduates go on to work in a variety of fields, including teaching, journalism, local government, publishing, charity administration and management, librarianship, digital and media, project management, PR and marketing, start-ups and online companies.
The problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, judgement, research, analysis and communication skills our Philosophy and English Literature students gain are highly valued by employers. You’ll also learn to work well independently and as part of a team.
You could also learn more, develop a specialism or start an exciting career in research with our Masters degrees in English Literature or Creative Writing. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Employability and personal career development
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
ARU Spotlight: Kiera Hewitt
English Literature graduate Kiera now works as Customer Service Advisor for Cambridge University Press and Assessment on their Cambridge English exams.
Meet Kiera
Interactive fiction
Dr Jon Stone considers the medium of interactive fiction: what it is, how to write it, and its potential future.
Learn more about interactive fictionEntry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Apply for Philosophy and English Literature
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