If you have a love of both literature and history, this course is for you. There are enormous benefits to studying the two disciplines in tandem.

You will use poems, novels, and other works of literature to interpret and understand past societies and cultures, and, at the same time, you will bring textual analysis to historical sources. You’ll be asking questions about how the two disciplines differ, but also how the methods and approaches of the historian and literature specialist overlap. By the end of the course, you will have developed both the rigorous research skills of the historian and the advanced communication skills of the literature student.

The distinctiveness of the course lies in its combination of academic rigour with a concern for employability and developing ‘citizen scholars’. As part of this, we offer options to broaden your experience and cultural sensitivity by studying abroad for a semester in your second year.

Who teaches the BA (Hons) English Literature & History course?

Both English and History at Northumbria enjoy international recognition for the quality of teaching and research. The research of our staff feeds directly into what they teach and what you learn.

Staff in both subject areas are active researchers with an international profile: at the most recent UK-wide evaluation of research (REF 2021), staff publications in History were ranked within the country’s top 10, and the English submission was ranked 21st for research power in the UK.

Where will I learn throughout my English Literature & History degree?

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. The use of TEL enables us to ‘flip’ our classrooms where appropriate, so that contact time is focused on answering questions and applying what you have already learnt.

The 24/7 University Library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK and has held the Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence since 2010.

There are over half a million print books and another 500,000 electronic books available online. Further facilities, including a resource room, specialist computing equipment and interview rooms, are available at the Institute for the Humanities, in the University’s Lipman Building

How will this degree provide me with the skills needed for my career?

With highly honed skills in communication and analysis, you will be ready to hit the ground running once you start a career. In recent years, many of our graduates have gone on to postgraduate study or developed successful careers in marketing, PR, media, journalism, communications, publishing, advertising, education (at various levels), local government, and in both public and private sectors.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have strong employability as a result of having acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include critical reflection and self-learning, collaboration and curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in ways that are sustainable and ethical.