You will use poems, novels and other works of literature to interpret and understand past societies and cultures, and, at the same time, you will bring textual analysis to historical sources. You’ll be asking questions about how the two disciplines differ, but also how the methods and approaches of the historian and literature specialist overlap. By the end of the course you will have developed both the rigorous research skills of the historian and the advanced communication skills of the literature student.

The distinctiveness of the course lies in its combination of academic rigour with a concern for employability and developing ‘citizen scholars’. As part of this, we offer options to broaden your experience and cultural sensitivity by studying abroad for a semester in your second year.

With highly honed skills in communication and analysis, you will be ready to hit the ground running once you start a career. In recent years, many of our graduates have gone on to postgraduate study or developed successful careers in marketing, PR, media, journalism, communications, publishing, advertising, education (at various levels), local government, and in both public and private sectors.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have strong employability as a result of having acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include critical reflection and self-learning, collaboration and curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in ways that are sustainable and ethical.