About this course

Enhance your knowledge of history and literature in English by studying them together on this English and History degree. You could study the novels of Jane Austen alongside the history of the naval wars at the time she wrote. Or, you could study African literature to gain a different perspective on the history of the modern city.

History at Southampton covers the ancient world to the present day. Our English modules explore writing from around the world and its connection to politics, the arts, identity and more.

With our advice you can shape your degree to suit your own development. For example, you can:

learn to write screenplays
study Victorian sensation fiction
take several modules on the history and literature of oceans

Your studies will include critical analysis, presentations and group work. These will help you develop your conceptual thinking, communication and research skills.

As part of this course you can:

join one of 40 student-led performing arts groups
take part in writing workshops at Nuffield Southampton Theatres
access a unique collection of rare books at the Chawton House Library
learn a modern language at any level
explore experimental writing with our Entropics events
get one-to-one tutorials on writing from our Royal Literary Fund Fellows

You can deepen your links to our History community by:

joining the dynamic, student-run History Society
use one of the largest Jewish document centres in Europe, the Parkes Archive

You can also spend a semester or a summer at one of our global partner universities.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

What's it like to study English and History at Southampton

BA English and History student Ulfat Islam talks about her experiences as a first year undergraduate at the University of Southampton.

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

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ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

AAB including an essay writing subject

A-levels additional information

Essay writing subjects include: History, English Language and Literature, English Language, English Literature, Drama and Theatre Studies, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Politics, Geography, Sociology, Latin or any other humanities-based essay writing subjects.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including an essay writing subject, and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay writing subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A in an A level essay writing subject or Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in an A level essay writing subject or Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in an A level essay writing subject and A in one further A level

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A in an A level essay writing subject or Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A in an A level essay writing subject or Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in an A level essay writing subject and A in one further A level

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

This course is exciting and varied. In English, you’ll think about what texts do in the world while studying a wide range of writing, from the medieval period to now. You’ll choose from a selection of creative writing modules.

In your historical studies, you can study people and places from Ancient Egypt to Modern Russia from diverse perspectives.

Each study year contains compulsory and optional modules. In year 1, you’ll gain a firm grasp of key forms and debates in English and History. You’ll have more opportunities to specialise in years 2 and 3.

You’ll also be able to broaden your degree by:

choosing modules in different subject areas in years 2 and 3
taking selected modules outside English and History
studying abroad for a year or semester
spending a year in employment

Year 1 overview

In your first semester, you’ll take 4 compulsory modules. These modules will give you solid grounding in the literary and historical aspects of your degree.

You’ll consider how English literature has evolved throughout history from cross-cultural global exchanges, with a focus on the history of the novel as a literary form. You’ll also learn how to think about history from a global perspective, from the ancient world to now.

In semester 2, you’ll gain skills in analysing non-textual historical sources, such as buildings, artefacts, images, and visual sources. You can select three optional modules from our fascinating range.

Year 2 overview

In semester 1, you’ll take one core module, ‘Revolutions in English Literature’. This will build your knowledge in key areas of English literary study.

The rest of your modules each semester will be optional. There are different choices each year, which include various historical periods, subjects, literary forms, genres, and even creative writing possibilities in English.

You can replace one module in each semester with another one from the School of Humanities or the wider University. Or you can study for a minor in another subject.

If you choose to study abroad for a year, you’ll need to take an extra preparation module during semester 2.

Year 3 overview

In year 3, you can customise your degree according to your interests.

Choose from a variety of optional history and English modules. Some examples include:

Far Right history
the East India Company
Holocaust literature
the Origins of the Climate Crisis

You can also choose creative writing options, such as teaching creative writing in schools through a voluntary work placement.

In your second semester, you’ll build on your subject and methodological expertise from years 1 and 2 to conduct your own research and write your dissertation in English or History. This will allow you to explore any aspect of literature or history that interests you, including creative writing. Alternatively, you can combine your literary and historical interests.

With the help of a supervisor, you’ll:

formulate a research question
explore your own historical, literary, or creative topic
develop a distinctive argument or creative project

If you choose the ‘Year Abroad’ option, you’ll spend your third year away, then return to complete your final-year modules in year 4. You’ll also need to do the ‘Residence Abroad Portfolio’ module. To pass this, you must complete a series of blogs and a final report. The grading for these modules is a pass or fail.

For your year in employment, you must complete at least 30 weeks of work (excluding holidays) during year 3 and submit a final reflective report. You’ll return to complete your final-year modules and dissertation in year 4.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

15%

Scheduled learning & teaching

85%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

creative projects
dissertations
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
module journals
self-assessment
teamwork
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

Written exam

84%

Coursework

11%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Alice Hunt is the course leader.

Careers

96% of our English graduates were in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating, according to the most recent Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2021/2022 (published in 2024).

Studying this English and History course at Southampton gives you a strong foundation in:

research
presentation skills
project management
critical thinking
writing

You’ll learn how to tell a story. This is a crucial skill whether you want to write a press release or funding application, or edit a book or podcast.

Our graduates have gone on to careers involving history and English including:

advertising account executive
academic
festival co-ordinator
journalist
marketing manager
museum curator
political researcher
PR officer
retail manager
teacher
translator

We offer a series of lectures and seminars given by experts, employers and alumni, which take you through career planning. These are designed for humanities students and cover:

career opportunities for graduates, including digital jobs
entrepreneurial and start-up options
skills self-assessment to help you discover hidden talents
CV and application writing

Your personal academic tutor can write a reference based on knowledge of you as a student over the 3 years.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

You can take work placements through our Excel internship scheme or Year in Employment scheme. Placements could take place in art galleries, publishing houses, schools or performing arts organisations. We can help you get placements and employment with local, national and international employers.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £24,200.

The Government has recently announced changes to UK tuition fees from September 2025 onwards. We will update our website to reflect this shortly.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

English and History (BA)

About this course

What's it like to study English and History at Southampton

Learn more about these subject areas

English

History

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

English on the Move

History Matters (Object, Image, Text)

The Novel

World Histories Introduced

From Shah to Ayatollah: The Establishment of the Clerical Power in Iran (1979 to Today)

Henry VIII: Reputation and Reality

Literary Transformations

Putin and the Politics of Post-Soviet Russia

The Crimean War

The Invention of English Literature: Medieval to Early Modern

The Roman Army in Britain: life on the northern frontier

Theory & Criticism

Twentieth-Century China

Who is Anne Frank?

World Dramas

Year 2 modules

Humanities Study Abroad Preparation Module

Making History Part 1

Revolutions in English Literature

Year Abroad Report Module for Humanities Students

Year in Employment

African Freedoms and The Novel

Ancient Greeks at War

Ancient Rome: the First Metropolis

Brief Encounters: Writing Short Stories

Children's Literature

Decolonising Modernity

Discipline and Punish: Prisons and Prisoners in England 1775 - 1898

Experiment!

Fight for your Rights: Protest in twentieth century Britain

Great Writers Steal: Creative Writing and Critical Thinking

Images of Women