English and Philosophy

English and Philosophy BA at Keele is an exciting programme for those passionate about human thought, creativity, and expression. You’ll explore literary texts and works of philosophy, while developing critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. Placement opportunities through the programme allow you to apply your skills in professional environments, preparing you for a range of careers in publishing, media, education, and beyond.

Why choose this course?

• Top 5 in England for English (Guardian University Guide, 2026)

• English ranked Top 10 in England (NSS 2025, broad-based universities)*

• Philosophy ranked Top 10 in the UK for student positivity* NSS 2023 (Broad-based universities) *based on overall student satisfaction, which is an average score across 27 questions asked in the NSS

• Top 20 in England for Philosophy (Guardian University Guide, 2025)

• Placement opportunities available with our partners including the National Trust, Wedgwood and the V&A Museum

Our English and Philosophy degree is a dynamic, interdisciplinary programme designed for students who are passionate about exploring the depths of human thought, creativity, and expression.

Throughout the course, you will study a wide range of literary texts from the Medieval to the contemporary period, and have the chance to explore areas such as radical writing, science fiction, graphic novels, children’s literature, film adaptation, and creative writing. You will also learn about different philosophical traditions past and present, including Anglo-American, Indian, Greek, and German philosophy, while engaging with the fundamental questions of existence, ethics, and meaning.

Work alongside an academic team who are experts in their fields, and hear talks and readings from a variety of published novelists, poets, and thinkers, through the Keele Hall Readings series and the Royal Institute of Philosophy.

*We have compared the positivity ratings of all participating UK institutions using the NSS 2025 sector data to determine Keele's position relative to other broad-based universities (i.e. excluding specialist institutions and further education colleges).

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.

Course Modules

For a list of indicative modules please visit the course page on the Keele University website.