BA English and Philosophy at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

English and Philosophy explores literatures in English from Anglo-Saxon writing to contemporary Irish, British and global literatures, while Philosophy covers key thinkers from Plato and Aristotle to Descartes and Marx, with formal logic and critical thinking. Philosophy at Queen's has strengths in applied ethics and political philosophy and offers teaching in scholastic philosophy.

Department: School of Arts, English and Languages | Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time | Intake: Academic year 2027/28 (UCAS) | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules include English in Transition, Issues in Contemporary Fiction: Gender, Race, Ecology and Introduction to English Language (20 credits each), plus Philosophy and The Good Life and Introductory Logic (20 credits each); optional modules include Philosophy and Human Nature and Perspectives on Politics.

Career pathways

Students can progress to cognate postgraduate study such as MA English Literary Studies, MA Poetry, MA Creative Writing, MSc Software Development (conversion), MLaw (conversion) or a PGCE, or the MRes in Arts and Humanities. Queen's Degree Plus award accredits extra-curricular skills. Placement opportunities include employers such as BBC Northern Ireland.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A level: ABB including A-level English (AS English at grade A acceptable in lieu). A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate counts in the portfolio (Distinction* = A, Distinction = B). Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level H3 in English. Access Course: average 70% including average 65% in Literature modules. International Baccalaureate: 33 points including 6 in English and 5,5 at Higher Level. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 Honours degree. BTEC Extended Diplomas and HNC/HND considered if English subject requirements are met. Offers are normally based on three A-levels; candidates are not normally interviewed. Typically five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or above including English Language (last year's intake); GCSE English Language grade C/4 required. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent qualification.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other rate for 2027/28 entry. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities