Human knowledge in the modern world is commonly divided into disciplines such as literature, art, history, politics and the sciences. The BA Liberal Arts embraces the different perspectives of these disciplines to help you gain deeper knowledge about the world and its interconnections. It allows you to design your own truly interdisciplinary programme according to your interests and strengths.

From a solid spine of critical skills modules taught in the Department of English, Theatre and Creative Writing, you will branch out into a breadth of subjects in the Schools of Arts, Social Sciences, History and Philosophy and Law. You can choose from literature, theatre studies and creative writing, film and media, modern languages, art, history, geography, law and criminology, philosophy, politics and psychosocial studies, to build a degree which will fulfil your intellectual potential and develop your employability.

Employers highly value the core analytical, critical and communication skills a liberal arts degree will give you. It will also prepare you for further study at Master's or PhD level.

This course is also available for part-time evening study over four years or six years.

• Our School of Arts is ranked in the top five in the UK and we offer high-quality teaching and a world-class research environment.
• Birkbeck’s research excellence was confirmed in the most recent Research Excellence Framework, which placed Birkbeck 30th in the UK for research, with 73% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
• You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group - now home to our School of Arts - and be taught by leading novelists, dramatists and artists. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery, the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space.
• The School of Arts is an official partner of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London. Opportunities for students have included a year’s free membership of the ICA, private views, discounts on all talks and events, free members' screenings and £3 cinema tickets on Tuesdays, up to 25% off ICA Artists' Editions and a monthly e-newsletter.

In Year 1, you take a core and a compulsory module and choose two option modules from the School of Arts or School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy, all at Level 4.

In Year 2, you take a core module and choose an option module from the Department of English, Theatre and Creative Writing and two from the School of Arts, School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy or School of Law, all at Level 5.

In Year 3, you choose an option module from the Department of English, Theatre and Creative Writing and two from the School of Arts, School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy or School of Law, all at Level 6. You also write a dissertation on a topic of your choice (7000 words).