English And History

English and history is a degree for students who want to develop two of the most powerful forms of critical enquiry available in the humanities. Literature asks how language constructs meaning, how texts reflect and shape the societies that produce them, and what it means to tell a story. History asks how we understand and interpret the past, how evidence is gathered and assessed, and how change over time shapes the world we inhabit.

The two disciplines share a deep commitment to close reading, careful argument and precision in writing, and studying them together enriches both.

At Lincoln, this three-year full-time programme allows you to combine your engagement with literature and history in ways that each discipline deepens the other. You will read widely across literary periods and genres, developing critical vocabulary and the ability to engage with texts from multiple perspectives. Your history study will take you across periods and places, developing your research skills and your capacity to synthesise complex material into well-constructed arguments.

The programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you professional experience alongside your academic development, which strengthens your graduate profile and your understanding of how the skills the degree develops translate into working life.

Graduates of English and history programmes are among the most versatile in the humanities. Careers in publishing, journalism, education, the civil service, heritage and museums, arts administration, public affairs, law, research and the media are all well-established destinations. The combination of analytical and communication skills developed through the degree is valued across a wide range of sectors.

Further study in literature, history, education, journalism or law is a natural next step for those who want to develop their expertise.