BA English Literature and History
About this course
BA (Hons) in English Literature and History, a joint honours degree combining literary study with historical inquiry across two disciplines. Core topics include research methods. The final year is completed with a compulsory dissertation, a guided research project in either English Literature or History. In the first year, students choose two English and two History optional modules alongside the compulsory core. The first year introduces both disciplines through Approaches to Literary Studies, examining literature as a concept and as a field of study, and Doing History: Evidence, Methods and Challenges, covering historical methodologies. First-year options span Introduction to Drama, Introduction to the Novel and Introduction to Poetry on the English side, and Medieval Worlds, Early Modern Worlds and Modern Lives in History. In the second year, students take one or both of the compulsory modules Theory and Practice of Literary Criticism and Shakespeare. Optional second-year modules cover areas including Chaucer, Postcolonial and World Literatures and American Poetry, alongside Black British History and Memory and Conflict in Europe since 1918. The third year is built around the compulsory Dissertation, a guided research project in either subject, with optional modules including Restoration and 18th Century Literature, Post-War Fiction and Poetry, History and Memory in African Women's Writing, and Sexual Revolutions: The Politics of Gender and Sexuality in Britain and Beyond, 1920s–1970s.
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: A*AA Including an A in History and an A in English Literature or combined English Literature and Language. IB: 37 with 766 in higher level subjects, including History and English Literature or English Literature/Language.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 31%: 55 offers from 175 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 68 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- 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: 45%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 30%
- Media Professionals: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 74%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 42%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 215 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 6%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 50%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Approaches to Literary Studies
- Doing History: Evidence, Methods and Challenges
- Example optional modules
- You will be required to take one or both of the following two modules:
- EITHER: Theory and Practice of Literary Criticism
- AND/OR: Shakespeare
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English Literature and History at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £33,000 after 3 years, £47,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £34,500 and £66,500. The £47,500 median after five years is £19,500 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
What do graduates of BA English Literature and History at Durham University do next?
85% 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 Durham University?
95% 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 Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 189 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA English Literature and History at Durham University?
31% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 55 offers from 175 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA English Literature and History at Durham University 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 Durham University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.