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Black and white image of humanities text books

Humanities BA(Hons)

  • Intro
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Fees
  • Location
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Intro

Our Humanities degree draws on philosophy, politics, history and literature to investigate the major challenges of life in the contemporary world, considering what it means to be a human in the twenty-first century.

You will be based in the city centre and will benefit from small group teaching and interdisciplinary study. The course team includes experts in all the major humanities subjects and you will join a critical environment with frequent guest lecturers – academics, politicians and writers – from around the world.

Your lecturers encourage you to adopt a critical attitude to yourself, to the world you live in and to the received opinions which so many take for granted.

Everything you learn on the degree comes together in your final project, where, supported by an academic tutor, you will learn how to complete independent and original research on a topic of your choice.

The knowledge and skills you build throughout the course prepares you for a range of careers, such as in the public sector or teaching, and forms a solid foundation for future study.

Key facts

Location Brighton: City campus

UCAS code LV00

Full-time 3 years

Our next open day for this course will take place in the summer. Register your interest now and we will let you know when you can book your place.

Register your interest

Apply now with UCAS for 2019 entry

Course content

Why study with us?

  • You will be located in the heart of Brighton’s vibrant cultural quarter joining a unique and intimate learning community.
  • You will be encouraged to develop a critical and independent attitude through seminars, individual tutorials, lectures and project work.
  • We are committed to small group teaching to develop excellent oral presentation, debating and listening skills. You’ll be able to raise issues, present arguments and voice your particular intellectual concerns while engaging with diverse opinions in productive debate.
  • Your final-year project allows you to identify and explore a topic of particular interest to you. You will have regular one-to-one meetings with a supervisor with relevant expertise to discuss your independent research and give you guidance.
  • You will gain vital transferable skills including independent research management, as well as communicative abilities, that you can use throughout your career.
  • This degree encourages you to challenge received opinions and as such is good grounding for many different industries including publishing, journalism and political lobbying, but equally provides a solid foundation for further study or research.
  • Opportunities for activity outside of the curriculum include international conferences with world leading experts; publication in the student blog and in student publications and participation in Humanities Society events.
Humanities student

Course structure 

Year 1
All of our courses in the humanities programme share a first year. Students take six modules that develop the skills central to your studies. These include topics such as historical and philosophical inquiry, cultures, democracy, narrative and society

Year 2 
In year 2, you'll choose two option pathways from 12 routes offered across the humanities courses, and follow them for the rest of the course. Pathways are a set of modules in a specialised area that give students a deep, critical engagement with the subject. 

Final year
Students continue with option pathways chosen in year 2, and undertake a dissertation. You will also take part in an oral exam, presenting your findings for scrutiny in an exam that tests your skills of presentation, communication, discussion and debate.

Our courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis in order to make sure that what you learn with us is relevant and that your course enables you to develop appropriate skills. When you apply to study with us, we will inform you of any new developments in your chosen programme through our applicant portal.

 

Humanities booklet cover

Year 1

In year 1 you take six modules that help develop the skills central to your course.

Historical Inquiry
This module examines the discipline of history, exploring how historical research and debate can us make more critically engaged members of society. You will consider what historical knowledge is, the ways people remember the past, investigate what causes change and considering how we can interpret sources.

Philosophical Inquiry
This module introduces the discipline of philosophy, exploring what philosophy is and what kinds of question it asks. You will explore how philosophy can help us to address the urgent questions of the contemporary world.

Studying Cultures
What is culture? And what does it mean for something to be ‘cultural’? We consider how you can investigate society and evaluate political theories regarding the relationship between politics, power, communities and individuals through the way people live and the artefacts they produce: from novels and magazines, to films and speeches.

Democracy: From Athens to Baghdad
This module explores how ‘democracy’ is theorised in political and philosophical traditions including Classical philosophy, republicanism, anarchism, liberalism and Marxism.

 

Student studying at Pavilion Parade

Approaching Narrative
This module gives you the analytical skills for the study of narratives and other representational forms which are crucial for engaging critically with the world.

Understanding Society in a Global World
On this module you will explore globalisation, while drawing upon the concepts, theories and methods of social science to ask questions about the nature of society in a global world. 

Year 2

In year 2 you will choose two option pathways to follow for the rest of your degree that can explore a wide range of subjects using different critical methods. As well as the pathways, you’ll take core modules and start the research for your final-year dissertation project.

Option pathways – you choose two from:

  • Politics, History and Ideology
  • 'Race' and Resistance
  • Self and Society
  • War, Terror and Democracy
  • Culture and Conflict
  • Terror and Terrorism
  • Globalisation, History and Identity
  • Global Politics
  • Fictions in History
  • Critical Theory and Radical Politics
  • Morality, Politics and the Good Life
  • Philosophy and Literature
  • Radical Histories
  • Politics of the Past

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

 

Seminar

Core modules
Critical Traditions 1 and 2 explore some of the key debates in history, culture, politics, and philosophy since the Enlightenment. You will also take a project preparation module which prepares you for your final-year dissertation.

Final year

In your final year, you continue studying your option pathways developing and extending the work started in year 2,  inviting deeper engaged reflection through seminar discussion and coursework essays on the broader themes you have examined.

You will also complete and submit a dissertation, drawing on your subject knowledge and research method skills, as you develop your own extended critical response to your chosen topic. You also take part in an oral exam: drawing from a theme in your dissertation, you will prepare and deliver a presentation and take questions. In doing so you demonstrate your presentation, communication, discussion and debate skills.


external-pavilion-parade

Staff profile

Dr Anita Rupprecht, course leader

Committed to interdisciplinary study, Anita's primary research focuses on interconnected histories and representations of British transatlantic slavery, the slave trade, abolitionism, and Empire during the Age of Revolution. She is also interested in postcolonial literatures, theory and the politics of contemporary cultural memory. See Anita's full profile.

Other staff who teach on the course include: Dr Rebecca Searle, Dr Michael Neu, Dr Mark Devenney, Dr Clare Woodford, Dr Robin Dunford and Dr Eugene Michail.

 

Our latest news

Humanities student praised by Obama has London show

Humanities student praised by Obama has London show

Final-year History, Literature and Culture BA(Hons) student Layla Andrews showcases her newest work at the Oxo Tower from 26 February.

Come to a free literary salon event!

Come to a free literary salon event!

Join high-profile writers including Paris Lees, Araminta Hall and Damian Barr and as they share anecdotes and advice at the University’s new literary salon series (1, 11, 25 March and 29 April).

Shulamith Firestone: xenofeminist before her time?

Shulamith Firestone: xenofeminist before her time?

Xenofeminism affirms the potential of technology to open up a radical future – and Humanities lecturer Vicky Margree’s recent article in The Mantle asks whether the controversial 70s feminist was ahead of her time.

Meet the new Head for the School of Humanities

Meet the new Head for the School of Humanities

Watch a film of Professor Steven Maddison talking about his new appointment at the University of Brighton.

Read more from our blog

Careers

Graduates have taken up careers in the public sector, NGOs, teaching, the caring professions, publishing, journalism, management and personnel.

Alternatively, this degree provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study with us at the University of Brighton or research careers elsewhere.

Ross Adamson

 

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BCC–CCC (104–96 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DMM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

We will generally make you an offer if your predicted grades are at the top of this range. If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we may still make you an offer if you have a good GCSE (or equivalent) profile or relevant non-academic achievements.

International Baccalaureate
27 points.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Humanities, history or politics courses preferred. At least 45 credits at level 3.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least English language and maths.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

Personalising your offer
We hold events for applicants throughout the admissions process. You'll be able to attend a course talk and learn more about the degree you are interested in from staff and current students. To allow us to tailor offers for each applicant you will also have a 15–20 minute conversation with a member of academic staff. This is an opportunity to discuss your own areas of interest with us, demonstrate your desire and capability to study on your chosen course and ask any questions. Applicants who cannot attend can still have this conversation with a tutor by telephone or Skype. Applicants meeting the academic entry requirements but who have not been able to talk to us, will still be eligible to receive a standardised offer. 

 

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country
 
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Fees

Fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 13,284 GBP

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Location

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city’s reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year. Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements, live briefs and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

We provide support and venues for key events in the city’s arts calendar including the Brighton Festival, the Festival Fringe, the Great Escape, the Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Photo Biennial and the CineCity Brighton Film Festival. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate Show transforms our campus into the largest exhibition space in the South East as we celebrate the outstanding talent and creativity of our students.

As a student you’ll get lots of opportunities to experience these events at first hand and to develop your skills through the volunteering and other opportunities they offer.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

Brighton North Laine
Brighton Beach sunset

Campus where this course is taught

City campus

Located in central Brighton, this campus is home to 3D design and craft, fine art, graphic design and illustration, digital music, digital media design, fashion and textiles, history of art and design, humanities, media, photography and film.

The facilities for making and designing, the theatre, galleries, workshops, studios, archives and the independent arts organisations based on site provide a unique and inspiring environment where creativity thrives.

St Peter’s House library and Phoenix halls of residence are close to the exhibition and learning facilities in the Grand Parade main building where you will also find the student centre with careers, counselling, student advice service and disability and dyslexia support. Edward Street provides extensive teaching and gallery space for media, photography and film.

Also on site are Photoworks, Screen Archive South East and University of Brighton Design Archives. Leading visual arts agency Photoworks runs the Brighton Photo Biennial and a national programme which frequently features the work of our graduates, staff and students. Screen Archive South East holds a wealth of material capturing life, work and creativity from the nineteenth to the twenty-first centuries. Our Design Archives received the Sir Misha Black Award for Innovation in Design Education in recognition of our contribution to design history scholarship and the quality of primary materials about British design held in the archive.

The Brighton Pavilion, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, the iconic pier and beach are a very short walk away. The independent shops and businesses of the North Laine and Kemptown, and Brighton main line station, with frequent express services to London, are 10 minutes walk.

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Grand Parade exhibition space

Accommodation

Brighton: City campus

All eligible 2019-entry students are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • City campus is linked to Phoenix halls.
    • Phoenix halls are all self-catered. The halls are a short walk from City campus in the centre of Brighton. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there's a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Find out more about Phoenix Halls.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you're balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties at locations across the city.

Find out more about our accommodation and confirm your eligibility.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private rented accommodation. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Phoenix Brewery Halls Accommodation

Accommodation for City campus is in the nearby Phoenix Halls

Student kitchen in Phoenix Halls

Student kitchen in Phoenix Halls

Relaxing in nearby Pavilion Gardens

Relaxing in nearby Pavilion Gardens

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

City campus map

Stay in touch

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Our next open day for this course will take place in the summer. Register your interest now and we will let you know when you can book your place.

Register your interest

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Subscribe to our School of Humanities blog
 to find out about student and staff news, and events.

Statistics

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

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‹ ›

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