Philosophy and English Literature

Explore the big questions and the works of English literature that have engaged people for centuries by studying our BA (Hons) Philosophy and English Literature degree in Cambridge.

Study Philosophy and English literature together and learn to make your point of view stand out with substance, as well as style.

You’ll consider big questions such as ‘Who are we?’, ‘What can we know?’, and ‘What should we do to lead worthwhile lives?’ and discover how great minds have tried to answer them.

Alongside this, you’ll explore how English literature is shaped by its historical and cultural context, and how, in turn, it influences readers and society. In doing this, you’ll also explore other subjects such as history, politics, religion, psychology and history of art.

Your studies will be supported by our expert lecturers, who offer one-to-one tutoring and personalised feedback. This support helped our philosophy courses rank top in the UK for 'Satisfied with Feedback' (The Guardian University Guide 2021).

You can also choose to focus on areas of particular interest to you, such as Victorian literature, poetry, contemporary fiction, and the work of philosophers including Kant, Descartes and Heidegger.

You’ll gain valuable research skills by using bibliographies, databases and information technology to answer important questions about literature and you’ll also develop your problem solving, critical thinking and judgement skills by analysing major philosophical ideas.

These are important skills, with the World Economic Forum ranking complex problem solving and critical thinking among the top ten skills needed to succeed in today’s job market.

You can also engage in philosophical discussions and debates through our student-led Philosophy Society, attend events such as our Royal Institute of Philosophy lecture series or boost your employability by learning a language with our Anglia Language Programme and taking part in live briefs with our partner organisations. Some of our students recently worked with CamYOGA, creating media resources to increase public awareness of the benefits of yoga for well-being.

Outstanding student support

Join our student community and:

• benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources

• learn from inspiring tutors on a course ranked top in the UK for ‘Satisfied with Feedback’ (The Guardian University Guide 2021)

• access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

  Careers

Our BA (Hons) Philosophy and English Literature graduates go on to work in a variety of fields, including teaching, journalism, local government, publishing, charity administration and management, librarianship, digital and media, project management, PR and marketing, start-ups and online companies.

The problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, judgement, research, analysis and communication skills our Philosophy and English Literature students gain are highly valued by employers. You’ll also learn to work well independently and as part of a team.

You could also learn more, develop a specialism or start an exciting career in research with our Masters degrees in English Literature or Creative Writing. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules. You'll need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships, volunteering or our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you an all important edge.

Year 1 core modules: Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Questions; Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment; The World Religions; Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing. Year 2 core modules: Ethics in Theory and Practice; Philosophy of Art and Image; Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters, Ruskin Module. Year 2 optional modules: Descartes and the Rationalists; Critical Social Theory; Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations; Film Criticism and Reviewing; From Modernism to the Millennium; Performing Shakespeare; Science Fiction; Anglia Language Programme. Year 3 core modules: Philosophy Research Project; Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama; Concepts of Good and Evil. Year 3 optional modules: Nature and the Absolute; Writing Poetry; Elizabeth Gaskell and the Brontës; Renaissance Magic; Knowledge and Doubt: From Antiquity to the Digital Age; Careers with English; Communication, Flesh, Philosophy; Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books; Romantic Ideals; Writing and the Present; Global Feminisms; Issues in Modern Philosophy; Research Communication; Anglia Language Programme. Modules are subject to change and availability.

We’ll assess your progress using a combination of exams, essays, portfolios, presentations, reviews and reports, as well as your final-year Major Project.