English Literature and History BA Honours

Next open day Saturday 15 June
Book Now

Can't attend? See more open events

Course Overview

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

This is an exciting, interdisciplinary degree at the heart of the humanities. It allows you to explore a wealth of literary texts while thinking deeply about the circumstances of their production and reception, and to learn about a range of events, themes and ideas in history and consider the literary and cultural responses to them.

You'll develop your knowledge and understanding of the key periods, themes, styles and techniques in literary studies, and be able to use that learning in critical form. You'll also develop substantial knowledge and understanding of the modern history of London, Britain and the world.

The course will give you the skills and knowledge to enter careers with a significant element of research, such as in broadcasting, journalism, teaching or publishing. It will also equip you with the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.

English Literature 

You'll study literature from a wide range of periods and genres, from Shakespeare to the present day, including non-fiction texts as well as novels, poetry and drama. In the first year,  you'll develop your skills, knowledge and confidence in literary studies in the context of our small group tutorial system.

In the second and third years, a range of option modules is offered. Through these studies, you'll develop a deep understanding of literature and its place in British culture, and be able to relate the study of English literature to the broader context of Western history and thought.

History 

You'll have access to a variety of interesting modules, many of them unique to our University. Our focus is explicitly modern, but within a very broad geographical sweep, including core modules in modern world history. We offer options on the fascinating history of London in peace and at war, along with an extensive range of other modules on topics such as France in the Second World War, the US civil rights movement, the history of international organisations, Irish history and the history of feminism. You can also take a credit-bearing internship in a museum, library or archive in London.

Top reasons to study with us

  • London is your classroom – our modules include visits to museums, galleries and archives, and guided field visits to sites of specific literary or historical interest
  • Try out your learning in the workplace – we have dedicated modules that allow students to undertake internship placements in a range of occupations for credit towards your degree
  • Get experience before graduating – you’ll have the option to do a work placement as part of this course
  • Excellent teaching staff – benefit from our experienced and renowned teaching staff

Course structure

The main modes of teaching are seminars, workshops, lectures and field trips, and much of your learning is independent, conducted beyond the classroom (individually and in groups) in the library, at home, and via online learning.

Assessment methods include essays, critical analyses, exams, presentations, journals, portfolios and your dissertation. 

You'll take some core modules in each of English and History, and the options allow you vary the balance of the two subject areas according to your interests. In Year 3 you'll complete the English Literature and History dissertation which allows you to refine and showcase, via a topic of your choosing, the skills developed over the course of your degree.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Subjects of study include:

  • English Literature and History Tutorial 1
  • The Making of the Modern World: Global Perspectives on the Long Nineteenth Century
  • What Is Literature?
  • Keywords for Literary Studies
  • Poetry and Politics
  • Protests: From Bread Riots to Extinction Rebellion
  • Shakespeare and Performance
  • This Imperial Island, 1760-1867

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

  • Age of Extremes, 1914-1991
  • English Literature and History Tutorial 2
  • For Freedom and Equality: Race, Politics, and Activism in the USA, 1850-1970
  • Making Memory: Culture, History and Representation
  • Monsters
  • Murder, Media and Morality in Late Victorian London
  • Romanticisms
  • Sites of Conflict
  • The Novel
  • The Victorian World
  • New Liberals to New Labour: British Politics since 1906
  • Writing Revolutions

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – English Literature and History with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – English Literature and History with International Experience.

Subjects of study include:

  • English Literature and History Dissertation
  • Special Subjects in History
  • Archives and Museums Internship
  • Fiction After 1950
  • Issues in Culture
  • Reading the Present
  • Special Topic
  • The End of History? Crisis and Conflict since the Cold War
  • The Modernist World
  • Tragedy: Ancient to Modern
  • Work Placement for Humanities

Credit Level 6

Hear from our students

book icon in turquoise
Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

Checklist top tips icon
Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

Chat icon in turquoise
Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Gain valuable experience

We have dedicated modules that allow students to undertake internship placements in a range of occupations for credit towards your degree.

CV and interview skills

Our Careers and Employability Service provides guidance in writing CVs and drafting job applications, preparing for interviews and psychometric tests, giving you a headstart in your graduate career.

3,000

Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Career development

This course provides students with a valuable and wide-ranging skillset, allowing you to find employment in a number of different industries.

While many of our graduates find employment in broadcasting, journalism, teaching or publishing, this course will equip you with the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to succeed in the career of your choosing.

Work experience

We offer dedicated modules that allow students to undertake internship placements in a range of occupations for credit towards your degree, giving you experience in the working world before you graduate.

Job roles

This course prepares graduates for roles including:

  • Business analyst
  • Civil servant
  • Digital marketing and communications officer
  • Legal caseworker
  • Researcher
  • Teacher

Graduate employers

Previous graduates have found positions in organisations and sectors including:

  • The British Library
  • Imperial War Museum
  • The National Trust
  • Premier CX
  • The Science Museum
  • Secondary schools
  • Wire

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

Why study this course?

A city of history and literature

Discover London's 2,000 years of history and literature - our modules include visits to museums, galleries and archives, and guided field visits to sites of specific literary or historical interest.

Gain experience while you study

Take part in an internship in a museum, archive or other relevant organisation as part of your degree.

A holistic approach

By combining the study of literary texts with the study of history, you'll develop a greater understanding of the sociopolitical circumstances that influence literature.

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
  • BTEC Diploma – D*D
  • Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have: 

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

More information

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

You should budget between £50–£100 for additional materials at Level 4, £50–£100 at Level 5 and £50–£100 at Level 6.

See also our general policy on what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

You should budget between £50–£100 for additional materials at Level 4, £50–£100 at Level 5 and £50–£100 at Level 6.

See also our general policy on what your tuition fees cover.

University Records and Archives

Our archival collection will provide you with hands-on experience and develop your research skills. University Records and Archives opens up a wide range of resources to you, enabling you to learn about our history and research significant themes by consulting thousands of items.

Books on display at the University of Westminster Archive

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
18%82%
2
17%83%
P
100%
3
18%80%2%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
1
12%88%
2
13%87%
P
50%50%
3
3%8%89%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.

Subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.

For more details, visit our locations page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

Your Westminster

Book an open day. Order a prospectus. Sign up for newsletters.