Program Overview

• Enjoy greater flexibility than in most academic disciplines
• Learn to work in an interdisciplinary way
• Engage with ideas spanning humanities, the social and natural sciences and the fine arts
• Prepare for your future, gain a wide palette of skills transferable to almost any industry

Liberal Arts is a different kind of degree. In many ways it is where the idea of higher education began. You might already recognise some of its ideas in A levels such as psychology, history, sociology, art, English literature, philosophy, political studies, religious studies, or media studies. Beyond A levels we think of Liberal Arts as philosophical study across humanities, social and natural science, and arts.

In Year 1, you are introduced to the Liberal Arts of ancient and medieval times, exploring mysteries surrounding human existence and the science of the cosmos. In addition, you can choose to explore representations of innocence and experience in art and literature, to examine philosophy in cinematic film, to learn about the Renaissance, to be introduced to different forms of the Arts, and to study tragedy in ancient culture.  

In Years 2 and 3, the compulsory modules deepen your understanding of freedom by learning from social theory, philosophy, art and science from the past two and half thousand years of European culture and beyond. In the optional modules you are able to follow your own interests. In the final year, you produce a dissertation on a subject of your choice.

Over three years, you develop the skills to analyse problems and be sensitive to the ambiguities of simple solutions. You will learn to work independently and as part of a group, and to develop your own distinctive voice in the world. Our graduates are well rounded and particularly eligible for all humanities-based graduate-entry jobs, including in law, teaching, media, business, academia, publishing, fashion, politics and public service.