Liberal Arts
Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of today’s complex world and its challenges from subjects including English, history, philosophy, and global politics.
of universities in the country for graduates who agree their current activity is 'meaningful'.
Source: GOS 2025
Shape your own degree in humanities and social sciences.
Study at ARU in Cambridge, and explore global issues and challenges such as inequality, social justice, violence, the essence of humanity and the future of AI.
This course includes a range of optional modules, so you can focus on your areas of interest. You'll also build your research skills, and learn how to deliver arguments through different communication channels.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop transferable skills that will prepare you to tackle real-world problems in a systematic and flexible manner.
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Tailor your degree to your own interests, with a range of optional modules.
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Build your knowledge as you study alongside students from across the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
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Make contacts through a range of events including guest talks and live lit jams.
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Showcase your writing at events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Graduate with skills and knowledge that are valued in the 21st-century workplace.
These include independent thought, and the ability to communicate your research findings to diverse audiences.
While you're studying here, you'll enhance your skills through live briefs, with external businesses giving you real-world challenges to solve. You’ll also have opportunities to gain work experience through our contacts with local organisations and employers, and to volunteer in local schools.
You can choose to study a modern foreign language, which will give you a real advantage in the global job market, or study abroad for a trimester.
Teaching and modules
Study history, literature, language and communication and philosophy and the ways in which each of these subjects reflect and address societal issues such as migration and global peace or “wokeness”.
Choose from a range of optional modules that cover sociology and criminology, too. Explore how contemporary global issues and challenges, such as inequality and social justice, violence, the essence of humanity and the future of AI, shape our perception of the world.
Consider the social usefulness and relevance of contemporary art, and co-curate your own online art gallery.
You'll also learn to communicate your ideas through a variety of creative and digital formats – and develop your research skills by completing a Major Project.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing
- A History of Now
- Language, Communication and Society
- Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Questions
- Into ARU
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Give Peace a Chance: Fundamental Issues and Perspectives on Contemporary International Relations
- Woke Wars
- Mobilities and Migration
- Bridging Cultures
- Critical Social Thought: Knowledge, Power and Division
- Key Paradigms 2: Sociology and Politics *
- Sociology of Health Inequalities *
- Violence and Confrontation *
- The United States in the 20th Century *
- Professional Placement *
- Digital Media Theory: Social Media, AI and the Cultures of the Internet *
- Science Fiction *
- Leisure and Popular Culture in Britain, 1800 to the Present *
- Violence, Gender and Victimisation *
- Spirituality, Religion and the Secular *
- From Welfare State to European State? British politics and society, 1906-1975 *
- Hanging, Prisons and Community Service: Crime and Punishment in Britain throughout the Ages *
- Online Journalism *
- Cult Media *
- Researching Society and Culture *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
- Major Project
- Research Communication
- The Making of Modern Media
- Global Feminisms *
- From Workhouses to Universal Credit: The Past, Present and Future of the British Welfare State *
- The Cultural Politics of Celebrity *
- Key Paradigms 3: International and Global Perspectives in Education *
- Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self *
- Gender and Sexuality in Britain: 1880-2000 *
- Concepts of Good and Evil *
- Environment, Nature and Society *
- A Global History of Government and Society, 1945-1999 *
- 'Fake News', Conflict and Law *
- Communication, Flesh, Philosophy *
- New Media Discourse *
- Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Foundation in Humanities, English, Media, Social Sciences and Education
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work Placement - Humanities and Social Sciences
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Richard CarrAssociate Professor
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Dr Bettina BeinhoffAssociate Professor of Sociolinguistics
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Dr Tory YoungAssociate Professor
Facilities
Join our student community and make full use of facilities including extensive library and IT resources.
Take part in events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre. Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people.
You’ll benefit from a Personal Development Tutor from day one, who's there to support you throughout your time at university.
You can also access support with careers and employability, study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Liberal Arts
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start