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English and Philosophy

Course details
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
University Park Campus

Course summary

English and philosophy both explore and explain human existence. The great themes of literature and debates about language run together with the big issues of philosophy, asking questions such as:

  • what are the struggles, conflicts and challenges of human life?

  • how should we navigate the social, moral and personal struggles that make up our everyday lives?

You’ll explore a diverse range of themes in both disciplines, and develop highly transferable and sought after skills that can be applied to a wide range of professions.

You'll study each subject separately, but equally.

In philosophy, you'll explore traditional topics such as ethics and philosophy of mind alongside emerging areas like environmental and social philosophy. In English, you’ll study the full range of English, including language, literature, linguistics and drama from Old English to the present day.

The range of modules in both subjects will ensure you'll be able to follow your interests wherever they take you.

Explore more

Your departments

This course is a collaboration between two departments. Find out more about what it’s like to study in the School of English and Department of Philosophy.

Course highlights

  • Unleash your creativity in a UNESCO City of Literature and put your skills into practice by getting involved with Impact Magazine, the Creative Writing Society, or the Words on Words blog.

  • Tailor your degree with a wide range of optional modules focused on your interests, and benefit from research-driven learning led by experts at the forefront of their fields.

  • Explore real-world challenges across interdisciplinary themes with our ‘Engaged Arts’ optional modules.

Proven results

  • We’re ranked 8th in the UK for English in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 14th in the UK for philosophy in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026.

  • The average starting salary for English undergraduates was £27,023 and for philosophy and theology and religious studies undergraduates was £28,500 (both within 15 months of graduation, HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).

Modules

Assessment method

For detailed information about the course assessment methods please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/English-and-Philosophy-BA-Jt-Hons.html?student=home

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
QV35
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

including A English Language, Literature or combined or any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted for A level.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AABBB

including English or any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology with grade A.

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Advanced Higher grades AA including English or any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology with grade A.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 15

Pass the Access to HE Diploma 45 credits at level 3, with distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and 15 at Merit.
9 credits must be achieved at Distinction in English modules.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE requirements - English grade C (numeric grade 4)

Scottish Advanced Higher
AA

including English, any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology with grade A

Only accepted with Scottish Highers AABBB including English or any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology with grade A

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

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus A Level English or any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology grade A

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

with a minimum of 6 points in English at Higher level.

OR

665 in 3 Higher Level certificates including 6 in English

Accepted subjects instead of English are the following: any Language subject, Geography, History, Philosophy, Global Politics, Psychology, World Religions, Social and Cultural Anthropology

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Considered alongside A Levels

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

Unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level.

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD + A in A Level English or any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology accepted.

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

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A Levels grades AB including A in A Level English or any Language subject, Geography, History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Classical Civilisation, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

  • Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.
    https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/applying/entry-requirements.html

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5(no less than 6.0 in any element) English language requirements As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

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.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

International entry requirements

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
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* 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

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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