English and Philosophy

English and philosophy is a combination that places you at the intersection of two of the humanities' most searching and rigorous disciplines. English literature asks you to engage with the full range of human experience as it has been expressed through writing, reading with attention and care, and constructing arguments about what texts mean and why they matter. Philosophy asks you to examine the foundations of knowledge, the nature of reality, the principles of ethical reasoning, and the limits of language itself, pursuing clarity and rigour in areas where intuition alone is insufficient.

Together, they develop a pair of complementary capacities, one for interpreting and the other for questioning, that reinforce each other in distinctive ways.

At the University of Leeds, this three-year, full-time degree engages you with some of the world's greatest writers and thinkers, exploring the rich heritage of literature in English alongside important philosophical questions about how we see and understand the world. A sandwich year provides the opportunity for professional experience, and work placements are embedded in the course. A year abroad is also available, enabling you to study in a different intellectual and cultural environment.

A typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the strong academic preparation expected of students entering this programme.

Graduates of English and philosophy go on to work in publishing, journalism, law, civil service, education, communications, research, the arts, and a wide range of other fields where reading carefully, thinking precisely, and writing persuasively are valued. Postgraduate study in English literature, philosophy, law, or creative writing is a common further step, and the intellectual rigour developed in this combination provides an excellent foundation for further academic work as well as for demanding professional roles.