Skip navigation

English and History with Year Abroad

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site - Highfield Campus

Course summary

Summary

Writing and history are deeply connected. Together, they shape how we understand the world and our place within it.

On this course, you will study literature and history side by side, exploring how texts reflect and respond to the times in which they were written. You could study the novels of Jane Austen alongside the history of the naval wars at the time she wrote, or you could study African literature to gain a different perspective on the history of the modern city. You can also spend a semester or a summer at one of our global partner universities. History at Southampton covers the ancient world to the present day. Our English modules explore writing from around the world and its connection to arts, politics and more. By connecting these subjects, you will develop a deeper understanding of culture, politics and human experience.

Our graduates are creative, adaptable thinkers working in publishing, journalism, marketing, teaching, heritage, and beyond. Many find roles in copywriting, PR, editorial, or media, while others succeed in law, business, or further study. Southampton English graduates are highly employable, with 100% in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2022/2023, Published in 2025). Employers value the research, communication, and analytical skills you’ll gain.

Key features of the course

Study in a top 12 English department in the UK, according to the Times and Sunday Times 2026.

Shape your degree through a wide choice of modules across literature, creative writing and history, from medieval to contemporary topics.

Take advantage of the comprehensive collection of physical books and journals, as well as extensive digital collections and rare volumes that make us one of the UK's best resourced institutions for the Humanities. We also have established links with Chawton House, God's House Tower, Mayflower Studios, and the John Hansard Gallery, bringing new perspectives to your learning.

Use digital humanities facilities to explore texts and history through technologies such as virtual reality, 3D scanning and immersive audio visual spaces.

Work with primary sources in the Parkes Archive, one of the largest Jewish documentation centres in Europe.

Choose to study abroad at one of our global partner universities, either for a semester or a summer.

Student support

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 voice.

You will also have access to wellbeing services, peer mentoring and dedicated careers support, all within a welcoming and supportive community. Your feedback will help shape your experience throughout the course.

Further information

BA English and History 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.

Find out more on our course page.

Modules

Over the four years of this English course, you will be encouraged to think about what texts do in the world whilst studying a wide range of writing, from the medieval period to the present day.

Year 1: Consider how English literature has evolved throughout history from cross-cultural global exchanges, with a focus on the history of the novel as a literary form.
Year 2: Build your knowledge in the key area of English literary study - Revolutions in English literature as well as having the opportunity to explore other topics of your interest.
Year 3: Year Abroad
Year 4: Build on the subject and methodological expertise you developed in Years 1 and 2 to independently research and write your dissertation, as well as customising your degree with options in History and English modules

You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through student-selected units and an elective placement.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/english-history-with-year-abroad-degree-ba#modules

Assessment method

On this course you will learn through a range of activities that may include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects, and independent learning (studying on your own).

You will be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as blogs, creative projects, dissertations, essays, oral presentations, individual and group projects, module journals, portfolios, self-assessment, written exams, teamwork.

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor who will offer support and advice throughout your studies. You will also receive feedback throughout your course, enabling you to identify areas for improvement before your work is formally assessed.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
QV32
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
ABB

ABB

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:

BBB and grade A in the EPQ

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants 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 an applicant'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.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended 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.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 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.

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.

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.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB in 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.

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 their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 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 their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
B

ABB from 3 A levels
or
AB 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.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3

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.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, M2, 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.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard.

The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements.

For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at AdmissionsUG.AH@southampton.ac.uk

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component below 6.0
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirementshttps://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Most of the students who enrolled on this course in previous years met their offer conditions at our published entry criteria, securing their place on their chosen course.

We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

Like this page