Liberal Arts
Main Campus, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Liberal Arts
Durham University
Liberal Arts
Program Overview: BA (Hons) Liberal Arts at Durham University
The BA (Hons) Liberal Arts at Durham University is a multidisciplinary degree designed for creative and intellectually curious students with a passion for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. This highly regarded program gives you the freedom to craft a programme of study tailored around your interests and career aspirations, allowing you to study across two, three, or even four subject areas.
Situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Castle and Cathedral, you will learn from leading academics across some of the UK's most prestigious departments. The degree culminates in a dissertation or research project on a relevant topic that draws together the critical thinking, analytical, and interdisciplinary skills you develop throughout the course.
You also have the option to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, extending it from three years to four. This flexibility makes the Liberal Arts programme ideal for self-motivated and independent-minded students seeking to make creative connections between subjects and unlock opportunities across a wide range of career sectors.
Key Program Highlights
- Design your own degree by selecting modules from Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences departments
- Option to add a placement year or year abroad, extending the program to four years
- Core interdisciplinary module Sources of the Self in Year 1 builds essential analytical skills
- Capstone dissertation or research project integrating skills from across your chosen disciplines
Curriculum and Modules
The Liberal Arts curriculum offers exceptional flexibility, allowing you to study six modules per year chosen from a minimum of two and a maximum of four subjects. In Year 1, all students take the core Liberal Arts: Sources of the Self module, an interdisciplinary foundation that equips you with the skills for successful interdisciplinary study. The degree structure enables you to explore widely in your first two years before focusing your studies toward a capstone research project in your final year.
Liberal Arts: Sources of the Self
20 UK CreditsA core interdisciplinary module in Year 1 that challenges you to engage with ideas and concepts from across the Arts and Humanities Faculty, building essential skills for interdisciplinary study.
English Literature Elective Modules
20 UK Credits per moduleChoose from a range of English Literature modules exploring periods, genres, and critical approaches, developing close reading and analytical writing skills.
History Elective Modules
20 UK Credits per moduleStudy historical periods and themes from ancient to modern, developing skills in source analysis, historiography, and constructing evidence-based arguments.
Philosophy Elective Modules
20 UK Credits per moduleEngage with philosophical traditions and problems, from ethics and epistemology to political philosophy, sharpening your capacity for rigorous logical reasoning.
Modern Languages Elective Modules
20 UK Credits per moduleStudy one or more languages from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish, developing linguistic competence and cultural understanding.
Dissertation or Research Project
40 UK CreditsA capstone project in your final year where you undertake independent research on a topic that draws together the interdisciplinary skills and knowledge developed throughout the course.
Available Elective Subject Areas
Admission Requirements
Durham University seeks highly qualified, self-motivated, and independent-minded students for the BA Liberal Arts program. Admission is competitive, and all applications and inquiries should be directed through Uni4Edu, which manages the full application process on your behalf.
Academic Requirements
- A-LevelsTypical offer ranges from A*A*A to ABB depending on subject combination; contact Uni4Edu for current requirements
- International BaccalaureateA competitive IB Diploma score is required; contact Uni4Edu for the latest point requirements
- Foundation PathwayInternational students who do not meet direct entry requirements may complete an International Foundation Year in Humanities, Law and Social Sciences
- Academic ProfileStrong academic record in humanities and social science subjects with evidence of interdisciplinary interest
- Personal StatementA compelling personal statement demonstrating intellectual curiosity, motivation for interdisciplinary study, and relevant academic interests
English Language Requirements
- IELTSOverall band score of 6.5 to 7.0, with no element below 6.0
- TOEFL iBTEquivalent score accepted; contact Uni4Edu for specific requirements
- Pre-sessional EnglishPre-sessional English courses available for students who need to improve their language proficiency before enrollment
Required Documents
Application Deadlines
For personalized admission guidance, document verification, and application support, please contact Uni4Edu
Scholarships and Funding
Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students from around the world. These awards are funded by the university, external partnerships, and generous alumni donations. Contact Uni4Edu for full details on eligibility and application procedures.
Durham University Undergraduate Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships available to high-achieving undergraduate students across all faculties, recognizing outstanding academic performance and potential.
For detailed tuition fee information, please contact Uni4Edu — we will guide you through the costs and available funding options for this program.
Career Prospects
Liberal Arts graduates from Durham University are highly employable, with employers recognizing the value of their wide-ranging intellectual skills, adaptability, and capacity for creative connections. Graduates of multidisciplinary programs are especially attractive to employers because of their independence of mind and versatile skill set, opening doors to careers in law, teaching, publishing, financial services, and many other sectors.
Potential Career Paths
Top Employers of Durham Graduates
Rankings and Recognition
Durham University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United Kingdom and the world, with strong recognition for its teaching excellence, research impact, and graduate employability. The university holds a top-ten position in major UK league tables and features in the world top 100 across multiple international ranking systems.
| Subject | Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities | QS World Rankings by Subject | Top 100 |
| English Language and Literature | QS World Rankings by Subject | Top 50 |
| History | QS World Rankings by Subject | Top 50 |
| Philosophy | QS World Rankings by Subject | Top 100 |
How to Apply
Applying for this program is easy with Uni4Edu. Our team will guide you through every step of the process — from document preparation to final enrolment.
Contact Uni4Edu
Reach out to our team via email or phone. We will assess your profile and confirm your eligibility for this program.
Prepare Your Documents
Our advisors will provide you with a personalised checklist of required documents and help you prepare your application package.
Submit Your Application
Uni4Edu will submit your application on your behalf and keep you updated on its progress throughout the review period.
Receive Your Offer
Once accepted, we will help you understand your offer, arrange visa support if needed, and guide you through the enrolment process.
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