BA English Literature and Philosophy
About this course
BA (Hons) English Literature and Philosophy is a joint degree examining literary texts and philosophical traditions side by side. Core topics include Research Methods. The syllabus is equally weighted across the two subjects. The final year includes a dissertation written in either English Literature or Philosophy. The first year establishes foundations in both subjects through Approaches to Literary Studies and The Philosophical Traditions, which introduce literary theory, the discipline's methods and key philosophical approaches. Optional modules allow two English choices such as Introduction to Drama or Introduction to Poetry, plus two Philosophy choices including Ethics and Values or Knowledge, Minds and Reality. The second year's Theory and Practice of Literary Criticism examines the principles and assumptions underlying reading, while Reading Philosophy: World Philosophies engages traditions beyond the Western canon. Optional modules span Philosophy of Mind, Language, Logic and Reality, Political Philosophy, Chaucer, Shakespeare, American Poetry and Postcolonial and World Literatures. The final year centres on a compulsory Dissertation in either English Literature or Philosophy, alongside options such as Restoration and 18th Century Literature, Keats and Shelley, Metaphysics and Kant's Critical Philosophy and Other Revolutions.
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 English Literature or combined English Literature and Language. IB: 37 with 766 in higher level subjects, including English Literature or English Literature/Language.
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA English Literature and Philosophy (QV35) at Durham University for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is A*AA at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 24%: 25 offers from 105 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 80 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 26%
- Teaching Professionals: 16%
- Media Professionals: 13%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 59%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- 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
- The Philosophical Traditions
- Example optional modules
- Theory and Practice of Literary Criticism
- Reading Philosophy: World Philosophies
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English Literature and Philosophy at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £34,000 after 15 months, £34,500 after 3 years, £46,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £67,000. The £46,500 median after five years is £18,500 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
What do graduates of BA English Literature and Philosophy at Durham University do next?
90% 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 Philosophy at Durham University?
92% 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 Philosophy at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 171 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA English Literature and Philosophy at Durham University?
24% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 25 offers from 105 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA English Literature and Philosophy 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 Philosophy at Durham University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.