English Literature and History, BA (Hons)

The Joint Honours BA in English Literature and History is a cross-disciplinary programme developing skills common to both fields and those specific to each. It provides comprehensive literary-critical knowledge from Chaucer and Shakespeare to modern plays, poems, novels, and literary theory through imaginative modules. The history component offers one of the UK's most varied courses, spanning from the end of the Roman Empire to the present.Durham University's English department ranks 3rd in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, 5th in the Guardian and Complete University Guides 2026, and Top 100 in QS World Rankings 2026. The degree fosters transferable linguistic, critical, and analytical skills for careers in arts, broadcasting, publishing, journalism, business, teaching, law, and more. Options include combining with Philosophy, year abroad, or work placement.