BA English Literature and History
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and History, a joint honours degree centred on English and History. Core topics include Research Methods. The course culminates in a final year dissertation. The first year covers foundational studies through History and Heritage, Literary Worlds: From Revolution to Postmodernity, Literary Worlds: From Riddles to Novels, and Practising History: Skills in History. The second year focuses on advanced historical investigation through Topics in History. The final year requires students to complete a major research project via the Dissertation, Dissertation in English Literature, or Joint Honours Link Dissertation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB - see below for full requirements.. IB: 6,6,5 - 32 points overall.. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM.
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 2 UCAS decisions for BA English Literature and History (QV3C) at the University of Birmingham for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAB at A level.
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 76%
- Academic support: 84%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 23%
- Teaching Professionals: 13%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 12%
- Administrative occupations: 11%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 83%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 49%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 335 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 27%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 26%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 200 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 97%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- Other qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- History and Heritage
- Literary Worlds: From Revolution to Postmodernity
- Literary Worlds: From Riddles to Novels
- Practising History: Skills in History
- The Making of the Contemporary World: 1800 to the Present
- The Making of the Early Modern World, 1500-1800.
- The History of Africa in Global Context
- The Making of the Medieval World, 500- 1050
- Approaches to Children's Literature A
- Approaches to Children's Literature B
- Approaches to Fantasy, Sci Fi and Dystopia A
- Approaches to Fantasy, Sci Fi and Dystopia B
- Approaches to Medieval Literature A
- Approaches to Medieval Literature B
- Approaches to North American Literature A
- Approaches to North American Literature B
- Approaches to Plays and Performance: Shakespeare and Beyond A
- Approaches to Plays and Performance: Shakespeare and Beyond B
- Approaches to Critical Reading
- Approaches to Literary Cultures
- Topics in History
- Dissertation
- Dissertation in English Literature
- Joint Honours Link Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English Literature and History at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £42,500. The £34,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for English studies.
What do graduates of BA English Literature and History at University of Birmingham do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA English Literature and History at University of Birmingham?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA English Literature and History at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
Does BA English Literature and History at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA English Literature and History at University of Birmingham?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.