University of Reading United Kingdom

BA History and English Literature

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

The BA History and English Literature at the University of Reading is designed for students eager to understand the complexities of human experience through the dual lenses of historical inquiry and literary interpretation. You will explore diverse historical periods and global regions, from medieval societies to modern geopolitical landscapes, while simultaneously engaging with the evolution of English literature across genres and movements. This joint honours degree equips you with essential critical thinking, research, and analytical skills, preparing you to interpret primary sources, deconstruct complex texts, and articulate nuanced arguments about the past and its representation.

Studied full-time on campus over three years, this undergraduate programme offers a dynamic learning experience. You will delve into modules such as "Perspectives in History" and "Theory and Practice of Writing," alongside specialised topics like "The Colonial Experience" and "Modernism in Poetry and Fiction." Your studies will culminate in a significant independent dissertation in either history or English literature, allowing you to pursue your specific academic interests. You will graduate with a versatile skillset, ready for careers in education, publishing, heritage, research, and beyond.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA program offers a comprehensive exploration of both history and English literature. Students will engage with diverse historical periods and regions, from medieval England and the Atlantic world to modern South Asia and post-war Britain. The literature component delves into various genres and movements, including poetry, Victorian literature, modernism, and contemporary fiction, alongside critical theory and writing practices. The curriculum culminates in independent research through dissertations in both disciplines.

1 YEAR 1

Perspectives in History
Making History and You: Practices and Responsibilities
Theory and Practice of Writing
Poetry in English

2 YEAR 2

Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future
Preparing for your Dissertation
People, Power and Revolution: Political Culture in Seventeenth-Century England
Kingship and Crisis in England, c.1154–1330
‘The brightest jewel in the British crown’: The Making of Modern South Asia, 1757-1947
Europe in the Twentieth Century
Revolutionary Cities
American Century: United States history since 1898
Black Britain: Race and Migration in Post-war Britain
Women and Medieval History
The Colonial Experience: Africa since 1879
Hollywood Histories: Film and Past
Rebel Girls: The Influence of Radical Women 1792-1919
Reform and Revolt in the Modern Middle East: Egypt from Ataturk to the ‘Arab Spring’
Encountering the Atlantic World, 1450-1850
Being British, Representations of the People: Democracy and Society in Britain 1838-1928
Noise Annoys: British Youth Culture, Popular Music and Social Change, 1950s-90s
'Apocalittici e integrati': Intellectuals and Society in Twentieth Century Italy
Medieval Medicine
Myth, Legend and Romance: Medieval Storytelling
Modernism in Poetry and Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Writing in the Public Sphere
Victorian Literature
Writing America: Perspectives on the Nation
Critical Thinking
Early Modern Literature
The Crusades, 1095-1291
Enlightenment Revolution and Romanticism
The Business of Books

3 YEAR 3

Dissertation in History
Dissertation in English Literature
Anarchy in the UK: Punk, Politics and Youth Culture in Britain, 1976-84
Becoming a Revolutionary: the Old Regime and the French Revolution, 1787-1794
Eugenics from 1865 to the Present Day
Heretics and Popes: Heresy and Persecution in the Medieval World
Slavery in America
History Education
Discovering Archives and Collections
Medieval Magic and the Origins of the Witch-Craze
Battleaxes and Benchwarmers': Early female MPs 1919-1931
Axis at War: Life and Death in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, 1936-45
Politics and Popular Culture: Post-Arab Spring Egypt
From Darwin to Death Camps? Evolution and Eugenics in European society, 1859-1945
Ireland and the English in the Middle Ages
The United States and the Cold War
Modern Science and Empires, 1750-2000
The Romantic Revolution: Culture, Environment and Society in England, c.1790-c.1900
Sexual Politics: Gender, Sex, and Feminism in Britain after 1918
Utopia: The Quest for a Perfect World
Poor Law to Hostile Environment: Repatriation, Deportation and Exclusion from Britain 1800-2016
Utopia and Dystopia in English and American Literature
British Black and Asian Voices: 1948 to the Present
Lyric Voices, 1340-1650
Literature and Mental Health
The American Civil War
Gender in Africa: From Eighteenth Century ‘Amazons’ to Twentieth Century Child Soldiers
Pirates of the Caribbean: Empire, Slavery, and Society, 1550-1750
Religion and Politics in the Medieval West, 1050-1492
Psychoanalysis and Text
American Graphic Novels
Medieval Otherworlds
Margaret Atwood
Modern and Contemporary British Poetry
Childrens Literature
From Romance to Fantasy
Placing Jane Austen
James Joyce
The Bloody Stage: Revenge and Death in Renaissance Drama
Decadence and Degeneration: Literature of the 1880s and 1890s
Black British Fiction
Writing Women: Nineteenth Century Poetry

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 104,824.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 1,126.00 - USD 18,832.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on WhiteKnights Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

94%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Aerospace Supply Chain & LogisticsAmusement & Recreation ServicesCreative Production & Project ManagementDigital MarketingGaming & Interactive MediaJournalism & ReportingMedia Research & AnalyticsPublic RelationsSocial Media & Community ManagementSpace Exploration & Satellite Technology

Top Employers Hiring for this course

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Kings College London

Manchester City Council

Sky Group

Why Study BA History and English Literature at University of Reading

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Reading in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA History and English Literature at University of Reading

Can I work while studying?

Students in this program can work up to 20 hours per week during studies and up to 40 hours outside of study. Ensure you have the appropriate visa to work while studying.

Is this qualification recognised internationally?

Please confirm accreditation details directly with the institution.

What English language score do I need for this course?

English language proficiency is required through tests like Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, with specific minimum scores for each. Check the requirements carefully to ensure you meet them before applying.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers in education, publishing, heritage, and research.

What will I actually study in this course?

This joint honors degree covers a broad range of historical periods and literary genres, from ancient civilizations to contemporary literature. You'll develop critical thinking and research skills while engaging with primary sources and texts.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA History and English Literature program at the University of Reading has an intake in September. Be sure to apply ahead of time to secure your place.
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
 
Account
  • New student?

Search for universities & courses

ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️