English and Philosophy
English and philosophy is a combination of unusual intellectual depth, bringing together two disciplines that have always been in conversation with each other. Literature and philosophy both grapple with fundamental questions about meaning, human experience, ethics, knowledge and existence: literature through the medium of narrative, image and form; philosophy through argument, analysis and the rigorous examination of conceptual foundations. Reading great literature with philosophical awareness enriches both activities, and studying philosophy alongside literature gives you the analytical tools to articulate what literary texts are doing at a deeper level than impressionistic response.
At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time degree develops serious competence in both disciplines. The English component teaches you to read texts across genres and historical periods with precision and intellectual care, examining the ideas, values and historical forces that have shaped literature and how its meanings have been contested and transformed. The philosophy component introduces you to the major areas of the discipline, from epistemology and metaphysics to ethics, political philosophy and philosophy of mind, developing the capacity to construct and evaluate arguments with logical rigour.
A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and encounter both disciplines in a different intellectual environment. Typical entry is around 200 UCAS tariff points.
Graduates from English and philosophy combinations are well suited to a wide range of careers. Law, publishing, journalism, education, the civil service, policy research, broadcasting and the arts all draw regularly on graduates with this background. The ability to read carefully, argue precisely and communicate complex ideas in writing is valued wherever reason and persuasion are central to professional work.
Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in philosophy, English literature, law or cognitive science.