Aberystwyth University United Kingdom

BA History / 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

Embark on a journey through time and text with the BA History / English Literature degree at Aberystwyth University. This joint honours programme is crafted for those captivated by the narratives of the past and the power of literary expression, offering a unique lens through which to understand human experience across centuries. You will explore diverse historical periods and literary movements, from medieval manuscripts to contemporary global issues, developing a nuanced appreciation for how history shapes literature and vice versa. This course is ideal if you seek to hone your analytical and critical thinking skills while engaging with rich primary sources and scholarly debates.

This full-time, on-campus undergraduate degree is structured over three years, allowing you to delve deeply into core modules and a wide array of optional units. You will engage with subjects such as literary theory, historical research methodologies, and specific periods like Victorian childhoods or African-American history, alongside options in contemporary writing and classical drama. Your studies will culminate in an independent dissertation, providing a significant opportunity to pursue your own research interests. You will graduate with highly transferable skills in research, critical analysis, and persuasive communication, preparing you for careers in education, publishing, archival work, 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, spanning foundational concepts to advanced critical analysis. Students will engage with diverse literary periods and historical eras, from ancient epics and medieval Britain to contemporary writing and modern global events. The curriculum encourages interdisciplinary thinking, examining the connections between historical contexts and literary expression, and developing essential academic and professional communication skills.

1 Year 1

Ancestral Voices
Critical Practice
Introduction to History *
Academic Writing: Planning, Process and Product
American Literature 1819-1925
Contemporary Writing
Greek and Roman Epic and Drama
Introduction to Poetry
Language Awareness for TESOL
Literature and The Sea
Peering into Possibility: Speculative Fiction and the Now
Re-imagining Nineteenth-Century Literature
'Hands on' History: Sources and their Historians
Europe and the World, 1000-2000
Medieval and Early Modern Britain and Europe, 1000-1800
People, Power and Identity: Wales 1200-1999
The Modern World, 1789 to the present

2 Year 2

Literary Theory: Debates and Dialogues
Making History *
A Century in Crisis: 1790s to 1890s
African-American History, 1808 to the Present
Classical Drama and Myth
Contemporary Writing and Climate Crisis
Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850
Effective Academic and Professional Communication 1
Germany since 1945
In the Olde Dayes: Medieval Texts and Their World
Literary Geographies
Literary Modernisms
Literature and Climate in the Nineteenth Century
Literature since the '60s
Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze
Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain
Place and Self
Science, Religion and Magic
Southeast Asia at the Crossroads (c.1400 to the present)
TESOL Approaches, Methods and Teaching Techniques
The Atlantic World, 1492-1825
The Making of Europe: Christendom and beyond, c. 1000-1300
The Tudors: A European Dynasty?
Writing Women for the Public Stage, 1670-1780
Interdisciplinary and Decolonial History
Memory, Myth and History: Investigating Medieval Chronicles, c. 1000-1250
Recounting Racism: Oral History and Modern American Race Relations
Victorian Visions: Exploring Nineteenth-Century Exhibitions

3 Year 3

African-American History, 1808 to the Present
Ali Smith and 21st Century fiction(s)
Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850
Effective Academic and Professional Communication 2
Germany since 1945
Haunting Texts
Literatures of Surveillance
Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze
Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain
Reading Theory / Reading Text
Remix: Chaucer In The Then and Now
Romantic Eroticism
Science, Religion and Magic
Southeast Asia at the Crossroads (c. 1400 to the present)
TESOL Materials Development and Application of Technologies
The Atlantic World, 1492-1825
The Making of Europe: Christendom and beyond, c. 1000-1300
The Mark of the Beast: Animals in Literature from the 1780s to the 1920s
The Tudors: A European Dynasty?
Undergraduate Dissertation
Victorian Childhoods
Writing in the Margins: Twentieth-Century Welsh Poetry in English

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

10% off
First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 23,256.00 USD 25,939.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 75,134.00 USD 77,817.00

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

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 689.00 - USD 1,322.00
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 Penglais campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

96%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Animation & Visual EffectsBeverage Production & DistributionConsumer Finance & Credit ServicesCorporate Training & DevelopmentInvestment Management & Asset ManagementRoad Transport & LogisticsSports & AthleticsSupply Chain & Commodity TradingTalent & Artist ManagementTheme Parks & Leisure

Top Employers Hiring for this course

BT Group

British Council

Deloitte UK

National Museum Cardiff

National Trust

Sainsbury's

Why Study BA History / English Literature at Aberystwyth University

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at Aberystwyth University 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 / English Literature at Aberystwyth University

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. No separate work permit is needed.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For English proficiency, minimum TOEFL scores are overall 93, with specific subscores; IELTS requires an overall 6.5; and PTE also requires an overall 59. Make sure to meet these requirements for admission.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as Historians, Literary Analysts, Educators, Editors, or Writers.

What will I actually study in this course?

This joint honours degree combines History and English Literature, covering themes from medieval literature to contemporary analysis. You'll learn about historical contexts and develop essential skills like research and communication.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The intake month for the BA History / English Literature course is September. Be sure to apply in advance to secure your place.
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