LLB Law and Commercial Law students
Check eligibility →
Birkbeck, University of London · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Arts and Humanities Bachelor's degree at Birkbeck, University of London
BA (Hons) Arts and Humanities at BUL. You'll develop critical thinking and interpretive skills through engagement with core theory, research methods and applied practice, alongside specialist options tailored to your intellectual interests.
BA (Hons)
Award
–
Years
Part-time
Study mode
Birkbeck College
Location
About this course
On this BA Arts and Humanities you will consider potential answers to some of today From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Arts and Humanities is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at BUL, based in Birkbeck College. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for General Studies, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Identity and CultureCompulsory
- PlacemakingCompulsory
- Introduction to Digital CultureCompulsory
- Career Development and Professional Pathways in Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesCompulsory
Year 2 8 modules
- Who were we? Who are we? Who will we be?Compulsory
- Cultures of CitizenshipCompulsory
- The Arts of Social ChangeCompulsory
- Micro-placementOptional
- The Art of Public SpeakingOptional
- Working in the Creative and Cultural SectorOptional
- Writing in the WorkplaceOptional
- Your Career DevelopmentOptional
Year 3 4 modules
- Mind, Body, Self from Antiquity to the PresentCompulsory
- Global Environmental HumanitiesCompulsory
- Apocalypse and UtopiaCompulsory
- Industry Placement/Career Development ReportCompulsory
Foundation Year 20 modules
- Breaking Boundaries of KnowledgeCore
- Fundamentals of StudyCore
- London: Places, Objects, IdeasOptional
- The Arts: Perspectives and PossibilitiesOptional
- Chinese 1Optional
- French 1Optional
- French 2Optional
- French 3Optional
- French 4Optional
- German 1Optional
- German 2Optional
- German 3Optional
- German 4Optional
- Italian 1Optional
- Italian 2Optional
- Italian 3Optional
- Italian 4Optional
- Japanese 1Optional
- Japanese 2Optional
- Japanese 3Optional
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
On this degree, you'll examine fundamental questions across arts and humanities through an interdisciplinary approach. A course like this typically progresses from foundational concepts and academic skills in Year 1, introducing the subject's main strands alongside data and digital literacy. Year 2 deepens your understanding of interconnected themes and involves applied project work on real briefs, supported by optional modules to broaden your knowledge. By Year 3, you'll specialise in areas of particular interest, develop professional skills with placement experience, and complete an independent research project or dissertation. You may pursue specialisations such as independent research, professional skills development, or placement opportunities that sit within this flexible structure.
Who it's for
You're drawn to big ideas and enjoy reading widely across philosophy, literature, history, social thought and related fields. You think carefully about problems from multiple angles and want time to develop your arguments properly. You're equally comfortable with abstract reasoning and real-world application. This part-time degree suits you if you're balancing study with work or other commitments and prefer a flexible learning rhythm. You're self-directed, intellectually curious, and see a broad humanities education as the foundation for meaningful work, whether in culture, education, research, policy or beyond.
Careers & job market
Across General Studies courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing their degree. Starting salaries typically range from £24,000 to £30,000; after five years, graduates earn between £25,075 and £35,400. Two-thirds of working graduates progress into highly skilled roles or continue their studies. A humanities degree develops analytical and communication skills valued across sectors, publishing, public services, NGOs, journalism, law and management all employ graduates from this field. Some pursue postgraduate study or professional qualifications.
University & format
This BA (Hons) is studied part-time at Birkbeck, University of London, a public university founded in 1823. Instruction is in English. The degree is a nationally recognised qualification from a UK degree-awarding body. Birkbeck received a Bronze award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Part-time study allows you to combine learning with other commitments.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
PlacementPublished placement option
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysBook open days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
2026 entryLive availability check
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check BUL's official course page for the current offer.
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
UCAS codeY402quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code Y402). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask BUL whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£18,500 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at BUL →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
Check providertuition used per year, no published course home fee, total not estimated
total borrowing, course length not published
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All BUL funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
StudyKit · free
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What General Studies graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in general studies · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs General Studies nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£20,825 – £29,400
After 5 years LEO
£25,075 – £35,400
national rangeaxis £19,500 – £36,500
National figures for General Studies graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How General Studies graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across General Studies courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes65%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where General Studies graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Employers across sectors
- Public sector
- Corporates & charities
- Startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit General Studies graduates.
General PractitionerMatchMedicsGeneral ManagerParkside RecruitmentGeneral ManagerThe Management Recruitment Group (MRG)General ManagerBite TalentGeneral ForemanCONTRACT SCOTLAND LIMITEDGeneral PractitionerFlexzo AiLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Birkbeck College
All students7,720
International12%
Aged 25+66.6%
Combined and general studies across the UK
Students39,200
Aged 25+62.2%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Birkbeck College - Bloomsbury Campus
14,111 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Theft From The Person 3001Other Theft 2876Violent Crime 1994Anti Social Behaviour 1989Shoplifting 1625
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is General Studies right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to BUL from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,500 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check BUL’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with BUL and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at BUL
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by BUL. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates earn?
See the career and earnings data for General Studies below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
No obligation
Request information about BA (Hons) Arts and Humanities
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.