Liberal Arts, BA (Hons)

This liberal arts degree offers a comprehensive exploration of cultural, ethical, and political complexities across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students examine fundamental questions about humanity's place in the world and its capacity for change, developing versatile skills through a chosen pathway in areas such as film, music, archaeology, languages, or sociology. This well-rounded education prepares graduates for diverse careers or further study, with options for a year in industry or abroad to enhance employability and global perspectives.The programme includes compulsory modules in liberal arts, focusing on distinctions between sciences and humanities, human nature, and truth. In the first year, students select additional subjects, continuing two into subsequent years alongside pathway-specific studies. Assessment involves lectures, tutorials, coursework, projects, and independent learning, culminating in a third-year dissertation.

This degree offers you an excellent foundation in liberal arts and expertise in a subject area of your choice. There is also the option to study abroad for a year or spend a year in employment between year 2 and year 3. You can choose to study this course full time or part time. Year 1 overview You'll take two compulsory liberal arts modules where you'll explore and critically evaluate: differences between the sciences and humanities unique challenges in studying human beings questions about the nature of truth and objectivity You'll also take two or three compulsory modules in your pathway subject. Finally, you'll choose further modules from at least two other subjects available in the degree. At the end of your first year, you'll choose two of these additional subjects to continue with in your second and third years. Alternatively, you can replace one of them with a language option. Year 2 overview Through the core liberal arts module in the second year, you'll build on your understanding of ideas and issues surrounding: human nature culture the relationship between the self and society You'll also study more specialist knowledge in your chosen pathway subject. Finally, you'll choose module options from the two additional subjects you chose at the end of year one. In the second year you'll also have the opportunity to take a year out to study abroad or do in a year in employment. Further details and the requirements needed for these can be found on the modules page. Year 3 overview You'll deepen your study and complete an independent dissertation in your pathway subject. You'll also take further modules in your pathway, as well as further options in your additional subjects. You can see full module information here: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/liberal-arts-degree-ba#modules