Liberal Arts Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Course details\
If you’re creative and curious with an interest in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the BA in Liberal Arts could be what you’re looking for. A highly regarded degree subject with a long-standing tradition, Liberal Arts gives you the freedom to craft a programme of study that is tailored around your interests and career aspirations. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.\
A highly regarded degree subject with a long-standing tradition, Liberal Arts gives you the freedom to craft a programme of study that is tailored around your interests and career aspirations.\
You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.

This course appeals to highly qualified, self-motivated and independent-minded students who are seeking to make creative connections between their subjects. A multidisciplinary qualification that sits outside of traditional boundaries, the course offers exceptional flexibility and the opportunity to learn in some of the UK’s most prestigious Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences departments.

You can choose to focus on two subjects at a deeper level or spread your learning across a wider range of subjects. You will explore a diverse selection of contemporary worldwide issues which will develop your intellectual and critical skills. As such, you will be well placed to take up careers in fields as diverse as law, teaching, publishing and the financial services.

 In the Arts and Humanities you can choose from:

* Classics and Ancient History

* English Literature 

* History

* Music 

* Philosophy 

* Theology and Religious Studies

* Visual Arts

* Languages, currently Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish

Up to half of your modules can be chosen from subjects in the Social Sciences (subject to timetable compatibility and entry requirements):

* Anthropology

* Archaeology

* Business

* Education

* Geography

* International Relations

* Politics

* Sociology and Criminology

The degree culminates in a dissertation or research project on a relevant topic which draws together the skills developed throughout the course. 

Why Durham University?\
Liberal Arts gives you the opportunity to design your own degree. You can study, two, three or even four subjects, in and beyond the arts and humanities.\
A multidisciplinary qualification that sits outside of traditional boundaries, the course offers exceptional flexibility and the opportunity to learn in some of the UK’s most prestigious Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences departments.

Rankings\
3rd in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026\
5th in the Guardian University Guide 2026\
5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026\
Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026