English Literature and Philosophy Cardiff University

Overview

How can literature and art inform our understanding of the world? What are the social factors shaping who gets heard and who gets to participate in literature and social discourse? What are the challenges facing today’s society and how can literature and philosophy help address them?   English Literature and Philosophy at Cardiff University has long enjoyed an international reputation for its teaching and research.

Key facts

You will not be restricted to studying the printed word: we are intrigued by the connections between literature and film, art, history, technology, language, and everyday life, and our teaching reflects these interests. You will learn how literature addresses social, environmental, and economic concerns with the aim of creating a better, more inclusive world and developing sustainable solutions for the future of the planet.

In Philosophy you will develop a solid grounding in philosophy of language, will also study epistemology, philosophy of mind, and moral and political philosophy, and will have the opportunity to study areas such as aesthetics, feminist philosophy, and phenomenology. 

In the final year of the programme, you can specialise in your preferred areas of study. You will also come to a deeper appreciation of the implications of philosophical thought, providing you with a clear link between theories and their application.

This is emphasised in the final year of the programme, where in a core Philosophy module you will take part in a project to apply philosophical research to develop policies or strategies aimed at solving a real-world ethical or social problem. 

In the final-year English Literature core module, meanwhile, you will undertake a detailed examination of a single text across a whole semester and to use the experience and knowledge gained as the basis of a public-facing piece of work.

You’ll graduate with a range of professional skills, including collaboration, communication and critical thinking. You will be aware of the ethical, social and linguistic challenges that face contemporary society and industry, and have the ideas and confidence required to solve them.

Career prospects

The graduates are versatile, collaborative, and critically independent individuals who are able to communicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences. They demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability, and competence, and they have the ability to motivate themselves and others in meeting agreed responsibilities.

The graduates have the ability to independently analyse complex problems and identify workable and innovative solutions, to work effectively with others on large projects, to communicate effectively to different audiences, and to use reflection and feedback to further develop your skills. 

You’ll also acquire a broad knowledge base enabling you to understand and respond to a range of contemporary ethical or social problems. During your degree, you will gain experience of professional research, policy, and strategy roles by working on a large collaborative policy project. This project showcases to employers how not only your skills but also your knowledge can be of huge value in the workplace.

University services and schemes are also available to you, providing additional ways to increase your professional skills and confidence. The Cardiff Award provides a framework through which to develop your employability further, and Student Futures is on hand to provide career advice and support in gaining placements specific to your degree. 

You can also take advantage of programmes like Languages for All to improve your foreign language skills, while support from the Enterprise and Start Up team to bring your ideas to life.

Due to the depth and breadth of their skills and knowledge, our graduates can be found in a variety of sectors, including the civil service, local government, charitable organisations, small businesses, consultancy firms, and schools and colleges. They work in journalism, law, teaching, finance, marketing, human resources, public relations, and many other professions.