English Literature and Philosophy and Ethics (Professional Placement Year)

Have a love of literature? A passion for ideas? Our English Literature and Philosophy and Ethics degree turns your interest into a practical skill-set.

• Combine professional skills and opportunities with your passion for literature and zest for ideas in our innovative English and Philosophy degree course.

• Develop practical and professional skills. Apply both to contemporary challenges, issues and debates.

• Explore the next stage in your career. Our graduates have gone on to work with leading employers.

Literature is diverse. Understanding a range of values and beliefs can open new worlds. Every text we pick up gives us a different perspective on humankind and our shared experiences. By combining English Literature with Philosophy and Ethics, you’ll deepen your understanding of how these perspectives can be shaped by different beliefs and values.

Our innovative English Literature and Philosophy degree has been designed to enable you to acquire specialised subject knowledge while developing practical and professional skills that you can apply to contemporary challenges, issues and debates.

This course introduces you to an incredible range of cultures, perspectives and beliefs. From classic texts to new and unfamiliar writing, you'll be asked to think differently – not just about what ‘literature’ can be, but how understanding different philosophies allows us to explore original ways of reading and analysing it.

By combining Philosophy with English Literature, you’ll interrogate different readings of texts according to their contexts and explore connections. By drawing on other disciplines you’ll deepen your understanding and sharpen your insights.

The course explores the assumptions, beliefs and values which shape human behaviour and our responses to it. You’ll address the key questions which underpin all academic disciplines and concepts, and how they are fundamental to our study of history, literature, the arts and sciences.

You'll be taught by experts in a wide range of periods, literary genres and approaches to the study of literature and thinking. Our staff share a commitment to excellent teaching and to offering you the best possible experience during your time with us.

Develop practical and professional skills
Historical background, philosophical concepts and political debate will all contribute to your ability to read widely and well. This approach will help you develop the vital skills of analysis, communication and collaboration that employers look for in graduates – skills that will open up a diverse range of possible careers.

To maximise your potential, we’ll also support you in learning to manage projects, work with your peers and our external partners, evaluate options and respond to a brief.

Combined Honour Awards
At Bath Spa University many of our undergraduate programmes can be combined, so you don’t have to limit yourself to one subject. If you choose to study a combined award then in Year One you’ll start by studying both subjects in equal depth. From Year Two you can choose whether to continue with equal numbers of modules from each subject, or whether you want to select additional modules in one or the other. Upon successful completion of the programme you will graduate with a joint degree.

Year one
Introductions and foundations: develop your skills in reading and analysing selected texts and philosophical thinking. A broad curriculum allows you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions and interrogate evidence, data and opinions.

Year two
Practical, applied, relevant: in your second year, you’ll study your chosen topics while gaining professional skills. You'll apply your knowledge and understanding to a defined problem or idea.

Year three
Achievement, consolidation, creativity: your final project in the third year brings all this together. You’ll identify and develop your own proposal and put it into practice. This might be an extended piece of academic writing, an exhibition, a community project, or a digital resource.

Most modules use essays with other forms of coursework such as journals, portfolios and short critical pieces, projects and dissertations, or special assignments such as seminar presentations, collaborative magazines, and web-based essays. Second and final year grades contribute towards your final degree award.