BA English and History (QV31)

2027 entry | view 2026 entry

Course summary

Literary critics are often concerned with how historical forces shape poems, plays and novels, while historians are interested in how literary texts shape cultural and political history.

Our BA English and History joint honours course will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the relationship between these two distinct but complementary subjects.

You'll join two large departments, learning from experts and researchers in a wide range of fields, and be encouraged to develop expertise and research skills relevant to both.

Our mandatory units encourage analysis of the links between the two disciplines. Optional units, which are offered across both departments, will allow you to explore your own interests in particular periods of writing and history, and develop more subject-specific skills.

In your final-year, you'll bring everything together in a dissertation that combines the skills you have developed in both disciplines.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

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Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

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36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level

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Advanced Higher: AA, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Access to HE Diploma in any acceptable title. The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above.

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Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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