BA Liberal Arts
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts BA, a liberal arts degree focused on interdisciplinary study across the humanities and social sciences. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The curriculum culminates in a final year independent research project. The first year establishes foundational concepts through Creative and Critical Thinking Across the Humanities (A): How do we know what we know? and Creative and Critical Thinking (B): The Stories We Tell. The second year introduces applied learning with modules such as Global Enterprise Project, Media in Practice, and Professional Skills. Students can also select thematic topics including Big Questions - Artificial Intelligence in Culture and Society and Big Questions - Sustainable Development: Climate, Culture, Society and Policy. The final year involves advanced independent study through the Liberal Arts Final Year Extended Independent Research Project alongside professional development options like Professional Skills.
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. IB: 6,6,5 including 32 points overall.. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma - DDD; BTEC Diploma - DD, plus a B at A level; BTEC Subsidiary Diploma - D, plus AB at A level
What students say
Based on about 50 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 66%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 120 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 41 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 11%
- Unemployed: 11%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 105 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- Other qualifications: 3%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Creative and Critical Thinking Across the Humanities (A): How do we know what we know?
- Creative and Critical Thinking (B): The Stories We Tell
- Global Enterprise Project
- Media in Practice
- Professional Skills
- Professional Skills – Freelance
- Work, The Future and You
- Big Questions - Artificial Intelligence in Culture and Society
- Big Questions - Sustainable Development: Climate, Culture, Society and Policy
- Big Questions - What makes Democracies Resilient?
- Liberal Arts Final Year Extended Independent Research Project
- Liberal Arts Final Year Independent Research Project
- Big Questions - How to Live Ethically
- Big Questions - Identity across States, People, and Cultures
- Big Questions - Imagining the Future
- Professional Skills
- Professional Skills - Freelance
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Liberal Arts at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months. After fifteen months the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £34,500. The £30,000 median after fifteen months is £1,000 more than the UK median for Liberal arts.
What do graduates of BA Liberal Arts 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 Liberal Arts at University of Birmingham?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Liberal Arts at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 153 UCAS points.
Does BA Liberal Arts 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 Liberal Arts at University of Birmingham?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.