BA English and History

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The BA English and History at the University of Exeter brings together the study of literature and history, allowing students to explore how ideas, cultures, and societies have evolved through different periods of time. This interdisciplinary course is ideal for students who enjoy analysing texts, investigating the past, and understanding human experiences, while developing valuable skills in research, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving for a wide range of careers.

Curriculum structure

Year 1

Your first year introduces you to the key concepts and methods used in English literature and historical study while building strong research and analytical skills. You will study modules such as Beginnings: English Literature before 1800, Becoming a Historian: Core, and either Understanding Medieval and Early Modern History or Understanding Modern History, alongside optional modules including Digital Cultures: Narrative, Creativity, Industry, The Novel, The Poem, Rethinking Shakespeare, and Sources and Skills, helping you develop a broad understanding of literary interpretation and historical investigation.

Year 2

In your second year, you will explore more specialised areas of English literature and history while developing deeper analytical and research abilities. Modules such as Desire and Power: English Literature 1570-1640, Doing History in the Digital Age, and Uses of the Past allow you to examine themes such as cultural change, historical memory, literary movements, and new approaches to studying the past through digital methods and historical sources.

Year 3 (Optional Study Abroad or Employment Experience)

If you choose the four-year pathway, you can spend your third year studying abroad at an international partner university or gaining professional experience through an Employment Experience placement. These opportunities allow you to expand your understanding of different cultures, develop workplace skills, and apply your knowledge of English and History in academic or professional settings.

Final Year

In your final year, you will undertake advanced research and explore specialist topics across English and History. You can complete independent projects such as a History Dissertation, English Dissertation, or Creative Writing Dissertation, allowing you to develop your own research interests while strengthening your ability to analyse complex ideas, evaluate evidence, and present original arguments.

Focus areas

English literature, history, cultural studies, literary analysis, historical research, digital humanities, creative writing, critical thinking, communication, interpretation of sources, storytelling, social and cultural change.

Learning outcomes

Develop strong skills in research, critical analysis, written and verbal communication, interpreting evidence, and building well-supported arguments. You will learn how to analyse literature and historical events from different perspectives while gaining transferable skills in independent thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The BA English and History develops a wide range of skills valued by employers, including research ability, communication, analytical thinking, organisation, teamwork, and problem-solving. Although the programme does not have a specific professional accreditation, it provides excellent preparation for careers in heritage, education, publishing, media, public services, cultural organisations, and business sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Exeter supports students in developing career-ready skills through research-led teaching, employability support, and access to specialist resources such as the Special Collections, Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, and Digital Humanities Lab. The programme helps students develop the ability to analyse information, communicate ideas clearly, and approach complex challenges, skills that are valued by employers across many industries.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA English and History programme at the University of Exeter gives students the opportunity to develop practical research, analytical, and communication skills by working with historical sources, literary materials, and digital humanities resources. Students gain experience beyond traditional classroom learning by exploring archives, manuscripts, collections, and digital tools that bring literature and history to life. Through research projects, independent study, and access to specialist facilities, students build valuable skills for careers in heritage, publishing, education, media, research, and other professional fields.

Students gain practical experience through specialist resources, research facilities, and hands-on learning opportunities:

Access the University of Exeter’s Special Collections, which include rare books, manuscripts, letters, and archives from notable writers and historical figures, allowing students to work directly with original literary and historical materials.
Explore the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, which provides valuable resources for studying connections between literature, film, popular culture, and historical representation.
Use the Digital Humanities Lab, a specialist research facility that supports digital approaches to literature, history, and cultural studies. The lab includes interactive digital displays, photography facilities for digitising heritage materials, audio-visual equipment, recording and editing resources, and a MakerSpace with 3D scanning and printing technology.
Develop research skills by analysing primary sources, archival materials, and historical evidence as part of English and History modules.
Engage with research-led teaching that explores literature and history through themes such as cultural change, social development, migration, and global histories.
Complete independent research projects, including dissertation work and final-year research projects, allowing students to investigate topics that match their personal interests.
Access the University Library’s extensive collection of digital and physical resources, including academic journals, e-books, books, and specialist research materials to support assignments and independent study.
Build digital research skills through online resources and digital methods used in modern humanities research, including the study, preservation, and interpretation of historical and literary materials.
Participate in seminars, discussions, and collaborative activities that strengthen teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.
Gain professional experience through the optional Employment Experience pathway, where students can undertake a workplace placement and apply their research, writing, communication, and analytical skills in a professional environment.
Benefit from Exeter’s strong heritage and research environment by connecting academic study with real-world collections, archives, and cultural resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA English and History at the University of Exeter prepares graduates with a valuable combination of research, communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills that are highly valued across a variety of industries. By exploring literature, historical events, and cultural developments, students learn how to analyse information, develop strong arguments, and communicate ideas effectively, opening opportunities in careers such as Historian, Archivist, Journalist, Researcher, Digital Marketing Executive, Parliamentary Researcher, TV Researcher, and Civil Servant.

The programme supports your career development by helping you gain professional experience, build transferable skills, and connect your academic knowledge with future employment opportunities:

Access support from Exeter’s Career Zone, which provides career guidance, one-to-one advice, employability workshops, skills development sessions, employer events, and resources to help students prepare for graduate careers.
Participate in employability programmes such as the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award, designed to help students develop professional skills, gain experience, and improve their career readiness.
Develop skills that employers value, including research, analysing primary and secondary sources, written and verbal communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, organisation, and independent working.
Gain professional experience through the optional Employment Experience pathway, where students can complete a graduate-level workplace placement in the UK or overseas and apply their skills in a professional environment.
Explore career opportunities across areas such as heritage, arts, education, publishing, journalism, charities, recruitment, finance, business, and public services.
Progress into roles such as Account Manager, Archivist, Librarian, Business Analyst, Civil Servant, Digital Marketing and Events Executive, Event Project Manager, Researcher, Historian, Teacher of History and/or English, Parliamentary Researcher, and TV Researcher.
Benefit from Exeter’s strong employer connections and opportunities to engage with organisations through career events, networking activities, and graduate recruitment initiatives.
Gain long-term career value from a humanities degree that develops adaptable skills in research, communication, creativity, analysis, and problem-solving, which are useful across many professional sectors.
Graduate with the confidence and flexibility to pursue both specialist and broader career pathways, supported by the academic knowledge and transferable skills developed throughout the programme.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BA English and History, graduates can continue their studies through postgraduate programmes that allow them to specialise in areas such as English literature, history, heritage, education, law, international studies, and research. Further study options may include MA English Literary Studies, MA History, MA Conflict, Security and Development, MSc International Management, Graduate Diploma in Law, and PGCE teacher training, helping graduates develop advanced knowledge for careers in research, teaching, heritage, public services, and other professional fields.