English and History BA

This exciting and varied degree allows you to explore a huge range of literature in English alongside British, European and world history.

You’ll be at the heart of our large and diverse Schools of English and History, developing your research skills and expanding your knowledge through core modules. In English, you’ll explore poetry, prose and drama across different literary periods, while in History you’ll focus on research methods and historiography. And as both Schools offer a fantastic variety of optional modules, you’ll have the chance to follow your own interests across periods and cultures in both subjects.

You could study anything from Old English and the Arthurian legends to crime fiction and post-Apartheid narratives, as well as the Anglo-Saxons, Caribbean slavery and the Cold War. Whatever it is you’re looking for, the chances are you can find it at Leeds – and you’ll also gain valuable skills that really appeal to employers.

The University of Leeds has excellent resources for historians and literature students. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections as well as extensive resources in all the areas we teach. The University Library offers comprehensive training programmes to help you make the most of the facilities we have.

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

Core modules in your first year will introduce you to texts across poetry, prose and drama and allow you to develop important skills such as historical methods and research. You’ll also have the chance to choose from discovery modules across a wide variety of subjects – an opportunity open to you throughout your degree.

You’ll build on this knowledge over the next two years. You’ll choose from core English modules spanning from the medieval period to today, and study at least one history module in the modern period and one from earlier times. You’ll then pursue your interests across optional modules in both subjects, from the Crusades to twentieth-century Africa and from folklore to disability and sexuality in contemporary literature.

Throughout the degree you’ll develop valuable interpretative and analytical skills, as well as becoming a confident researcher. You’ll demonstrate these qualities in your final year, when you undertake an independently researched dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read English and History BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

Our tutors in the Schools of English and History are leading researchers, and their teaching is informed by their work. We use a variety of teaching methods so you can benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars and tutorials. However, we also put a lot of emphasis on independent study, since this allows you to develop your research and critical skills.

Assessment

We use different means of assessment to develop your skills, including exams and essays. Extended projects may also be assessed components in some modules. We offer plenty of support, including the chance to attend extra classes on issues such as exam technique, public speaking and structuring an essay if you need them.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA including A in History and A in English (Literature, Language or Language and Literature).

Other course specific tests:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be AAB at A Level including A in English and History and grade A in the EPQ.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. The Access course must include English modules. This course has additional subject specific requirements for History. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• BTEC

  We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, D3, M1 including D3 in English and D3 in History

• International Baccalaureate

  35 overall (17 higher including 6 in Higher level History and 6 in Higher level English)

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  H2, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 including H2 in English and H2 in History

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  Please contact Admissions Office for more information.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: 85% with 85% in English and History

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: ABB including A in English and B in History at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of English admissions team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
 

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

School of History Undergraduate Admissions Policy

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £18,500 (per year)

For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2018, the fee for 2018/19 will be £9,250. 

For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

A Joint Honours degree in English and History gives you transferable skills that can help you succeed in a wide range of careers.

You’ll have strong research skills and be confident working independently or within a team. You’ll be able to analyse information from a number of different sources and form your own conclusions about them. Then you’ll be able to communicate and present those views clearly, both verbally and in writing. You’ll also have the time management and organisational skills needed to manage two demanding subjects.

Graduates have pursued careers in fields such as publishing, law, journalism, business and finance, advertising and marketing, the civil service, education and the charity sector. Many others have progressed to postgraduate study.

We’re committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. You could boost your CV with one of the internship opportunities offered by the School of History and the School of English each year, become a peer mentor or take any of our employability-related modules during your degree.

Careers Support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has over 300 partnerships with universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.