Course Overview
Your degree is taught jointly by Lancaster's Philosophy Department, ranked first for Philosophy in the North West by The Guardian University Guide 2013, and our English Literature Department, which has one of the highest satisfaction rates of 94%, in the 2012 National Student Survey.
You'll learn how philosophical perspectives can be applied fruitfully to literature and your literary studies will elucidate the narrative structures and cultural functions of Philosophy. You'll take various approaches to English and other literatures by diverse authors and will look at both the history and contemporary discussions of Philosophy.
You'll start your degree with courses including English Literature and Introduction to Philosophy. As you progress, the scheme allows you to specialise according to your own interests and strengths, with a selection of second and third-year English Literature modules and options such as The Theory and Practice of Criticism; History of Philosophy; Philosophy of the Mind; and Philosophy of Science.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the English and Creative Writing department.
Year 1
- English Literature
- Introduction to Philosophy
Year 2
- The Theory and Practice of Criticism
- Victorian Literature
- Ethics: Theory and Practice
- Philosophy of Science
Year 3
- Literature and Film
- Contemporary Literature in English
- Aesthetics
- Themes in the Philosophy of the Sciences
- History of Twentieth Century Philosophy
- Moral, legal and political philosophy
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the English and Creative Writing department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAA, inc grade A English Literature or English Language and Literature combined. We normally expect three A-levels
General Studies: Accepted as one of 3 A-levels
Preference: A-levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: AAABB inc A in English
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 36 pts overall with 16 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: DDD
Mature students: Applications welcome, especially with evidence of recent successful formal study e.g. a pass in an Access Course involving English Literature with 6 - 8 unit distintions, including distinctions in all available English units
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
A Philosophy degree from Lancaster teaches you to analyse problems from a multi-dimensional perspective, encouraging you to approach issues creatively and with an enquiring mind. Your study of Philosophy and Literature will also cultivate a wide range of interpersonal and communication skills that are highly valued by employers. All this will stand you in good stead for careers involving analysis, assessment and the weighing-up of arguments.
Many of our graduates go on to careers traditionally associated with English and creative writing, such as publishing and the media, teaching and librarianship. Others find roles in business, administration and professional services, where their skills of self-expression and critical understanding of complex information are equally valued.
A number of our English Literature and Philosophy graduates regularly go on to take higher degrees, at Lancaster or another institution.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2014, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2014 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2013.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
