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Liberal Arts

BA (Hons)

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus
With or without Foundation Year

Course Overview

Do your interests in the arts and humanities span across different areas? Would you like to study subjects like literature, art, history, law, politics and psychology rather than having to choose between them? Our BA Liberal Arts is a uniquely flexible degree which offers you this opportunity allowing you to plot your own path through an exciting array of subject areas.  

Why choose this course? 

  • This BA Liberal Arts combines depth with breadth offering core modules developing key critical thinking, reading, writing and presentation skills, while our wide-ranging list of option modules empower you with a well-rounded education in the arts and humanities.
  • You can choose to study literature, theatre studies, creative writing, film and media, modern languages, history, geography, law and criminology, management, philosophy, politics, psychology of education and psychosocial studies.
  • Whether your interests lie in art theory, racial justice, environmental crisis, human rights or cultural studies, this degree will enable you to pursue them.
  • You will be taught by leading experts in the field, who will help you unlock your intellectual potential and shape your future career.

What you will learn 

You will gain specific knowledge in the subject areas you choose, as well as developing core critical and communication skills. You will graduate with confidence in your abilities to prepare a written paper, deliver an oral presentation, and construct a clear and concise argument. You will be equipped to think, speak and write articulately and critically about the world, in order to challenge orthodoxies and communicate your own ideas and perspectives.  

How you will learn 

You will be taught via a dynamic range of lectures delivered by leading researchers in the field, alongside small group seminars which will enable you to develop your own ideas and your own voice, as well as engaging with those of others. Taught classes will also be supported by our virtual learning environment, which provides you with a vast amount of teaching and research materials, available wherever you have online access.

This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening. 

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Liberal Arts (BA (Hons)).

Key information and modules

Find another course:

Highlights

Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

    For part-time courses, standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

    Applicants are selected by application and may also be asked to provide a sample of written work or to attend an interview.

    UCAS tariff points

    • 3 years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
    • 4 years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.

    Foundation year degrees

    Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. 

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. 

    Alternative entry routes

    3 years full-time or 4 or 6 years part-time: Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in social science or humanities units. Successful completion of a Certificate of Higher Education in Journalism, Film and Media Studies, Media Practice or History of Art can reduce your part-time BA degree studies at Birkbeck by up to one year.

    3 years full-time Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - DMM

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements,  or see our international study skills page for more details of how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Liberal Arts BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Full-time home students: £9,535 per year
    Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

    Liberal Arts BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £4,765 per year
    Part-time international students: £9,030 per year

    Liberal Arts BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £7,145 per year
    Part-time international students: £13,545 per year

    Liberal Arts with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Full-time home students: £9,535 per year
    Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

    Liberal Arts with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,765 per year
    Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £9,030 per year
    Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,145 per year
    Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,545 per year

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Tuition fee and maintenance loans

    Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

    Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

    Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    Level 4 and 5 modules are taught by lectures, seminars and workshops; Level 6 modules are usually taught in seminar groups.

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    A combination of essays and examinations, and a final-year dissertation of 7000 words.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    Employers highly value the core analytical, critical and communication skills a liberal arts degree will give you. It will also prepare you for further study at master's or PhD level. 

    On successfully graduating, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:  

    • a sophisticated use of written and spoken English 
    • an advanced critical ability in the use of theoretical perspectives 
    • facility and precision in the use of analytical tools 
    • strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent critical arguments. 

    Graduates can pursue career paths in education, public administration, legal work, business and management, the arts and creative industries, journalism and publishing, the third sector and campaigning. Possible professions include:  

    • arts administrator 
    • journal/newspaper editor 
    • museum/gallery curator 
    • higher education lecturer 
    • community arts worker.

    The School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication's specially designed Careers and Employability provision includes opportunities at all levels to support you in developing your career, including modules,  workshops, placements and other resources directly related to employability, in particular in the creative arts and cultural industries. 

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses.

    Full-time (UCAS entry)

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

    Part-time

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 year), you apply directly to Birkbeck by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link. Please note that online application will open in September.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

Visit the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Liberal Arts BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

  • Year 1: two compulsory modules and two Level 4 option modules
  • Year 2: a compulsory module and three Level 5 option modules
  • Year 3: four Level 6 option modules, which may include a 7000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice

Option modules are chosen from a range offered in the arts, social sciences, history, philosophy, business, economics, informatics and law.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory module
Indicative English, theatre and creative writing option modules
Indicative geography option modules
Indicative history, classics and archaeology option modules
Indicative history of art option modules
Indicative languages and cultures option modules
Indicative media and cultural studies option modules
Indicative politics option modules
Dissertation option module

Course structure and modules for Liberal Arts BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

  • Year 1: two compulsory modules
  • Year 2: two Level 4 option modules
  • Year 3: a compulsory module and a Level 5 option module
  • Year 4: two Level 5 option modules
  • Year 5: two Level 6 option modules
  • Year 6: two Level 6 option modules, which may include a 7000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice

Option modules are chosen from a range offered in the arts, social sciences, history, philosophy, business, economics, informatics and law.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory module
Indicative English, theatre and creative writing option modules
Indicative geography option modules
Indicative history, classics and archaeology option modules
Indicative history of art option modules
Indicative languages and cultures option modules
Indicative media and cultural studies option modules
Indicative politics option modules
Dissertation option module

Course structure and modules for Liberal Arts BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

  • Year 1: two compulsory modules and a Level 4 option module
  • Year 2: a compulsory module, a Level 4 and two Level 5 option modules
  • Year 3: a Level 5 and two Level 6 option modules
  • Year 4: two Level 6 option modules, which may include a 7000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice

Option modules are chosen from a range offered in the arts, social sciences, history, philosophy, business, economics, informatics and law.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory module
Indicative English, theatre and creative writing option modules
Indicative geography option modules
Indicative history, classics and archaeology option modules
Indicative history of art option modules
Indicative languages and cultures option modules
Indicative media and cultural studies option modules
Indicative politics option modules
Dissertation option module

Course structure and modules for Liberal Arts with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2025

For the Foundation Year, you undertake three core modules and choose one option module: either The Arts: Questioning the Contemporary World or a language module.

If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Liberal Arts or you may transfer onto one of the undergraduate degrees listed above.

Foundation Year core modules
Foundation Year option modules

Course structure and modules for Liberal Arts with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BA Liberal Arts or one of the undergraduate degrees listed above. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.

In Foundation Year 1 you take two core modules and in Foundation Year 2 you take one core module and choose one option module.

If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Liberal Arts or you may transfer onto one of the undergraduate degrees listed above.

Foundation Year 1 core modules
Foundation Year 2 core module
Foundation Year 2 option modules