History and English at Derby
You could not have a better backdrop to your studies of English and History than Derbyshire. One of the centres of the British Enlightenment during the eighteenth century, the county has a strong literary heritage and inspired many great writers including Jane Austen, Walter Scott, Charlotte Brontё, George Eliot and Henry James.
Derbyshire is the ideal location to study history - with its rich industrial past and thriving heritage industry, including a UNESCO World Heritage site, we offer study visits and fieldtrips to bring your learning to life. You will explore the practical and intellectual applications of history in museums, art galleries, country houses, parks and heritage sites.
English and History is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of historical sources and literature, but also considers the situations in which those materials were produced and read. This means your studies will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics. You will be introduced to a range of cultural expression from across the globe and from diverse historical periods.
As a History and English student you will be able to use your ability to analyses literary sources and to interpret the past for the benefit of the wider community. We provide exciting opportunities for projects involving international arts and heritage organisations. Among recent initiatives, our students have worked with Derby Museums in thinking about the communication of the past to a wider public.
Tailor your degree
With a range of optional modules across English and History (covering various themes and theories in literature as well as the history of different nations and time periods) you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your area of interest and your career goals.
Choose your pathway
Studying a History and English Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.
You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally.
What is a Joint Honours degree?
A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.
A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:
- You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
- You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
- You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with
The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
You will learn through lectures, seminars, self-directed study, tutorials, study visits, workshops, and work-related learning. We also use digital learning materials to support you in your studies. We encourage discussion and debate through all our modules, and in individual research projects and student-led presentations, you will have the opportunity to shape your own learning.
English is a subject based upon discussion and interpretation, and your English classes will reflect this, with great emphasis placed upon student contributions and presentations in addition to lectures.
How you are assessed
Our assessment strategy is designed to produce confident, articulate graduates with a broad set of skills. There are no exams and forms of assessment include seminar debates, group presentations and conference papers alongside essays and longer research projects. We place great emphasis on developing your research skills, with independent projects playing a key part in the second and third year of the course.
Studying English and History provides you with transferable creative and analytical skills to give you excellent career prospects when you graduate. At Derby you will gain attributes beyond those traditionally associated with History and English graduates. You will not only build your academic capabilities but also apply your literary and historical knowledge to the workplace. We encourage you to develop skills in areas such as presentation and teamworking, which will help you stand out in the job market.
You may consider a career in:
- Writing, editing or publishing
- Journalism
- Marketing, advertising or events
- Art and Literature-based organisations such as media centres, museums or galleries
- Teaching
- Civil service or Law
- Local government
- Human Resources
Recent graduates have taken up professional roles in local government, in Human Resource roles for major national businesses, and in project consultancy roles in global companies.
2025 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 112-120 |
| A Level | BBB-BBC (At least a grade C at A level in English Literature or English Language and Classical Studies, History or Politics) |
| T Level | Merit |
| BTEC | DDM-DMM |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area) |
2025/26
| | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,535 per year | N/A |
| International | £16,900 per year | N/A |
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.
How to apply
Please look at our before you apply.
You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
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