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Humanities

The humanities are the study of how people process and document the human experience.

A humanities degree will help you to understand and question not just the world around you, but the history, ideas, expressions and arguments by which people have made sense of it and validated it.

You'll take part in challenging debates on topics such as global conflict, sexuality, class and fundamentalism and our courses teach you how to research, select, process, critically evaluate, present and discuss information – skills required in a broad range of professions.

Our history courses are 16th in the UK, Guardian University Guide 2021

See our humanities courses.

Apply now with UCAS

Starting at uni? Explore your subject

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Through our Radical Futures research centre we harness disruptive ideas, open debate and progressive thinking to redress the inequalities and social injustices of the twenty-first century.

What inspires me is when I read a text, maybe written more than 100 years ago, and it still resonates with the world today... I find it fascinating that philosophy scholars can paint such vivid pictures of the future by looking at ideas and where they might lead.

Freddie Harris, Humanities: War, Conflict, Modernity BA(Hons)

Latest from this subject area

Dr Jonathan Watson interviewed about Presidential Inauguration

Dr Jonathan Watson interviewed about Presidential Inauguration

Tune in to Heart FM this afternoon at 4pm to hear Jonathan, senior lecturer in Critical History and Contemporary History speak about the Inauguration of new President Biden.

Conference | Democracy and Populism: Equality, Truth and Disagreement In The Age of Covid

Conference | Democracy and Populism: Equality, Truth and Disagreement In The Age of Covid

The University of Brighton’s Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics is running this online event which starts today (18-23 January).

Engels at 200 – renewed relevance

Engels at 200 – renewed relevance

To mark the bicentenary of the bicentenary of the birth of German philosopher Friedrich Engels this Saturday, Lecturer in Critical History and Politics Dr Christian Høgsbjerg has written a blog about Engels as a revolutionary historian.

Podcast: humanities lecturers discuss the US election

Podcast: humanities lecturers discuss the US election

Robin Dunford, Andy Knott and Jon Watson discuss the national and international dimensions of the recent US presidential election.

Read more from our blog

Choose Brighton

Student at a desk

Small seminar groups

You'll develop your critical skills through lively seminars where you can present arguments and voice your intellectual concerns. We teach in small groups to help you become an accomplished presenter, debater and listener. Seminars are student-led, so you develop the skills necessary to manage discussions.

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Tailor your degree

Humanities students select a two-year developmental pathway that features three courses, each of which addresses a range of key themes, concepts, ideas, histories, theories and topics.

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Learn outside the classroom

You'll have the opportunity to join the student-run Humanities Society, which hosts speakers from high-profile organisations such as Amnesty International. You'll also be able to publish your work in student publications, sharing your ideas with students and staff across the university.

Explore more

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Why choose humanities?

Read about what the humanities are and why you should choose to study them.

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Humanities blog

News and stories from the school of humanities.

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School of Humanities

Find out more about this school, which covers history of art and literature, language and linguistics.

Undergraduate courses

Contemporary History BA(Hons)

Globalisation: History, Politics, Culture BA(Hons)

History, Literature and Culture BA(Hons)

Humanities BA(Hons)

Philosophy, Politics, Ethics BA(Hons)

War and Conflict BA(Hons)

You may also be interested in

Related courses

  • English Literature BA(Hons)
  • Sociology BA(Hons)
  • Social Science BA(Hons)

Related subjects

  • History of art and design
  • English literature, language and linguistics

Further study

  • Cultural and Critical Theory MA (PGCert PGDip)
  • Cultural History, Memory and Identity MA (PGCert PGDip)
  • Globalisation: Politics, Conflict and Human Rights MA (PGCert PGDip)
  • Philosophy and Politics MA (PGCert PGDip)
  • War: History and Politics MA (PGCert PGDip)
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