Philosophy & Religion and English Literature BA (Joint Hons)

The School of Philosophy and Religion at Bangor University offers the opportunity to study some of the most important and challenging philosophical ideas that have shaped Western culture, and to consider how they interrelate with Western religious thought. The School has developed out of a longstanding tradition in these subject areas within the University since the 19^th century, and you will find here a friendly and informal atmosphere that will help you to cultivate the skills of debate and independent thinking.

The English Literature part of the course offers you the opportunity to study texts and authors from an exceptionally wide range of English and American literature. During your degree these works are studied in a variety of ways, some emphasising, for example, the social or political context in which a text was produced; others are studied with a more linguistic or stylistic approach. The course course aims to develop your skills in reading literature and to introduce you to new critical techniques and ways of studying literary texts. Through the study of English literature you will develop critical capacities and a range of invaluable intellectual and interpersonal skills: the ability to evaluate and interpret material and the capacity to explain it logically, orally or on paper, the ability to work independently and as a member of a group, to manage your own time and to work to deadlines set by yourself and others. These are skills which are sought by employers in many fields.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

School of Philosophy and Religion:

• Situated at the centre of an imposing University campus, the School of Philosophy and Religion has developed out of a long and distinguished tradition of teaching philosophy and religion for over a century.
• You will benefit from our staff’s expertise and commitment to teaching, student care and welfare. 
• Our staff are research active and incorporate current research into their teaching.
• We offer the opportunity for students to study Philosophy and Religion as a Single Honours degree, or in combination with a range of complementary subjects as part of a Joint Honours degree.

School of English:

• Bangor has been ranked 1^st in the UK for English Studies in the 2016 National Student Survey.
• For this course we offer an extremely wide choice of modules in a variety of periods, from c.700AD to the present, giving you the freedom to develop and explore your own interests, under expert supervision.
• Our range of modules allows you to concentrate your interests on a particular theme or author.
• We are committed to teaching in small groups: many of our modules are delivered through weekly seminars, alongside lectures; others are taught solely by weekly seminars.
• If you are taking English as a single honours subject you may also take modules in creative writing and American literature.
• You will be taught by staff who are active researchers and are publishing books and articles in the areas you are studying.
• Members of staff in the School of English have international reputations in their field.

Teaching is mainly by lectures, seminars, and individual tutorials. Many modules also make use of Blackboard, the University’s online learning environment. During each semester you will study modules equivalent to 60 credits, making a total of 120 credits per year. We use a wide range of methods for assessment, including essays, book reviews, case studies, reports, presentations, and written examinations.

What will you study on this course?

In your first year of this joint honours degree in Philosophy and Religion and English Literature you will take modules equivalent to 60 credits in the School of Philosophy and Religion. The other 60 credits will be taken in the School of English Literature.

In your second year, you will take modules equivalent to 60 credits in the School of Philosophy and Religion and 60 credits in the School of English Literature.

In your third year you will take modules equivalent to 60 credits in the School of Philosophy and Religion and 60 credits in the School of English Literature. You may be eligible to choose the Dissertation module (40 credits), which involves independent study with supervised support, leading to the submission of a 10,000-word dissertation.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Philosophy & Religion and English Literature Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

A Philosophy and Religion course will open up opportunities in a broad range of areas, including teaching, communication, publishing, social work, librarianship, the media etc. Many students will go on to pursue postgraduate degrees leading to an MA, MRes or PhD.

Employers are looking for graduates who are articulate and responsible, capable of working independently, and demonstrating the academic abilities of analysis, reflection, critique and synthesis – all of which are developed through a degree in English. Many graduates go on to make exceptional contributions in their chosen field. Oscar winning Danny Boyle, director of Slumdog Millionaire, is one of our former students. The Olivier Awardnominated actor Frances Barber and star of stage and screen, John Sessions, are also both Bangor alumni. Typically, graduates emerge from their Bangor degree prepared for the world of work, either here in the UK or overseas. Many achieve success in careers which include business, creative industry, journalism, teaching and the Civil Service.

Employability and English Literature degrees

A degree in English Literature provides our students with excellent employment prospects, in a wide range of career options. In the past our graduates have gone into teaching, publishing, advertising, journalism, the law, social work, business, politics, accountancy, the police, human resources, and academia. Several of our graduates have become leading figures in the arts.

Transferable skills

Our degree will teach you the skills of critical analysis, imaginative problem solving, and presentation. Our graduates are typically independent-minded, yet able to work as part of an effective team. The skills they possess are highly valued by employers.

Postgraduate studies

Each year several of our students decide to undertake postgraduate study, lasting from one to four years. Postgraduate study is an opportunity to further deepen your knowledge and expertise, and leads to a truly individual contribution as a literary critic or creative writer. Academic postgraduates often go on to teach in universities, or make their way in the literary world.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.

The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.

The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.

Internships

Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.

Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.

Student Volunteering

Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.

The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.

TARGETconnect - Working while you Study

The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.

TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:

• Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
• Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
• Work experience / internships
• Voluntary opportunities

The entry requirements below are the School of Philosophy and Religion requirements. Please also check with the School of English Literature for any additional requirements.

For 2020 entry:

Typical offer is based on a minimum 104 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:

• A Levels (no specific subjects required)
• International Baccalaureate Diploma
• BTEC National/Extended Diploma and Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM
• City & Guilds Advanced Technical/Extended Diploma: considered on a case by case basis
• Access: Pass
• Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted. International school leaving qualifications

International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information here. 

We also welcome applications from mature applicants.

*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.

For 2019 entry:

• Typical offers are 112-96 tariff points from a level 3 qualification*. All subjects are accepted including General Studies with either Philosophy or Religion preferred but not essential. *Level 3 qualifications include A levels, BTEC, Access, Irish Highers, International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and others – for a full list, please refer to the new UCAS tariff at www.ucas.com.
• We also welcome applications from mature applicants, individuals with European qualifications and international applicants (subject to minimum English language requirements – IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in all component parts). 

General University entry requirements

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.

Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.

EU and International students' entry requirements

For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

More information

Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants

E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717 

International students (non-UCAS applicants)

Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028

When coming to University, you will have two main costs, Tuition Fees and Living Costs.

There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for guest tickets (£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

Philosophy and Religion:

Optional Costs:

Purchase of books for required reading for some modules at a discounted price (though copies of required reading are available in the University Library): Approx. £0-25 per module, £0-35 per year, and £0-45 per course.

School Graduation Lunch – free for student and 2 guests, additional guest £10 per head.

English Literature:

Mandatory Costs: 

In English Literature, mandatory costs will be the purchase of books. The precise cost will vary according to the choice of modules, but the average cost would not normally exceed £50 per module in English Literature and/or Creative Writing.

Optional Costs:

Theatre and cultural visits - the cost of these will vary from year to year depending upon the organised programme of events.

How to apply for Undergraduate programmes

You can apply to study at Bangor directly by using the online application form or through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.)

Contact us

Admissions Team
Philosophy 
Tel: 01248 382085
E-mail: philosophy@bangor.ac.uk
www.bangor.ac.uk/history-philosophy-and-social-sciences

Why Study English Literature or Creative Writing at Bangor?

There are many fantastic reasons for choosing to study English Literature and/or Creative Writing at Bangor.

• At undergraduate and postgraduate level, we offer a broad and flexible range of module choices, combining the innovative (e.g. The Literature of Laughter, Transformative Writing and The Gothic in Literature and Film) with the more traditional (e.g. Victorian Literature and Jonson to Johnson)
  
• Our teaching is based on the latest research. The world-class quality of our research and writing was recognised in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) placing our School in the UK Top 10 for research intensity.
  
• With award-winning pastoral care, one-to-one support and individualised feedback, we get to know our students as individuals and enable them to pursue their own creative interests. 
  
• Employability. We provide our students with transferrable skills that are valued by employers. 85% of our graduates were in employment or further study within six months of finishing the course (source: DLHE).  Our graduates have gone on to have wide-ranging and successful careers in many sectors, including the performing arts, education, law, the civil service, press, media and public relations.
  
• Arts and Culture. Our close links with Pontio (the University’s £40 million Arts Centre), local theatres, poetry groups and vibrant student societies - including our Bangor English Drama Society (BEDS) -  give students plenty of opportunities to get involved. 
  
• Bangor is an inspiring location for creative writing or literary study, situated on the Menai Straits at the foot of Snowdon, and less than three hours by direct train from London!
• Read what our students say.

 

Studying at Bangor

Rated Gold for teaching

We have been awarded a Gold rating, the highest rating possible, for the standarad of our teaching in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment. The TEF assessment took into account teaching quality, learning environment and student outcomes and learning gain. We were judged to deliver consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students and our teaching is of the highest quality found in the UK.

A top 10 university

The National Student Survey (NSS) results place Bangor amongst the UK’s top 10 universities (excluding specialist institutions) for student satisfaction. This reflects the University’s focus on overall student experience.

Enjoy a university experience that’s amongst the best in the UK

The guaranteed accommodation, student support, low cost of living and stunning location all contribute towards this.

Take advantage of the Bangor Student Experience with free membership of student clubs and societies, a new international experience programme and employability award scheme.

Award-winning clubs and societies!

Our clubs and societies have been named the best in the UK at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2019.

Unrivalled location

Choose to study in one of the best places in the UK to be a student. Bangor’s location – close to the mountains and the sea - has been described as ‘the best university setting in the UK’.

Bangor is the most affordable place in the UK to be a student (TotalMoney 2019).

Investment in facilities

Benefit from continued investment in facilities and services – with Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Halls of Residence, and improved sports facilities amongst recent developments.

Guaranteed accommodation in award-winning halls of residence

We guarantee accommodation for first year students who apply within the deadline and hold Bangor as their Firm Choice. Our accommodation has been named the best in the UK at the 2018 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.

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• English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons) (3 years)
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