- 4th in the UK for our research impact in Philosophy in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- 94% of our research overall in English Language and Literature was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
With our Philosophy and English BA, you combine the interrogation of thought and text.
You investigate how thought and literature are shaped by culture in a wide variety of historical and political contexts. At Sussex, you follow your own interests, choosing from a broad range of topics.
You also have the opportunity to experiment with your own writing, supported by our experts. They have links with the creative industries, as well as literary events such as the poetry series Placeholder and the festival The Coast is Queer.
With this course, you develop your ability to critically analyse, challenge and communicate – essential skills for a wide range of careers.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
I hope I’ve been able to make a difference in building that community and awareness of Black people at Sussex and their histories.”Valerie Kpoyre
Philosophy and English BA
Junior Research Associate
Read Valerie’s story
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
Modules
This is a joint-honours course, offering you a combinations of subjects, each taking up 50% of your time.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Ancient Philosophy
- Epistemology
- Feminist Philosophy
- Inner Worlds: Literature, 800-1750
- Kant
- Literature and Philosophy
- Outer Worlds: Literature, 800-1750
- Philosophy of Mind
- Reading Post-Colonial Texts
- Science and Literature
- The Art of Short Fiction
- The Novel
- Word & Image
- Contemporary Literature and Culture
- Literature, Politics and Culture in Postwar Britain
- Metaphysics
- Modernisms
- Phenomenology
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Race
- Philosophy of Science
- Romance
- Romanticism
- Sense and Sexuality: Women and Writing in the Eighteenth Century
- Staging the Renaissance: Shakespeare
- The Politics of Children's Literature
- Writing Poetry
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Study abroad (optional)
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Placement (optional)
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Ethics
- Islamic Philosophy
- Modern European Philosophy
- Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
- Posthuman/Premodern
- Psychoanalysis and Literature
- Serial Fictions
- Topics in African American Literature
- Virginia Woolf
- Writing Race, Gender, and the Social: Experiments Beyond Representation
- Championing Literacy Placement
- Class, Culture and Contemporary Writing
- Dissertation (English)
- Gender, Race and Society in Early Modern Drama
- Modern Nature
- Queer Fictions
- Themes in Analytic Philosophy
- Themes in Language, Truth and Literature
- Themes in Post-Kantian Philosophy
- Themes in Social and Political Philosophy
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
My current project is in large part concerned with the relevance of Lewis Carroll’s regress argument to theories of reasoning and rationality. Yes, Lewis Carroll of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, who also wrote this very insightful paper involving a tortoise.”Dr Corine Besson
Lecturer in Philosophy
English
Dr Helen Tyson
Senior Lecturer in 20th and 21st CenturyBritish Literature
Philosophy
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.
Careers
By taking a Philosophy and English degree at Sussex, you develop key skills in communication, research and critical thinking. You are prepared for a range of jobs including careers in the Civil Service, government, the media or the arts. We’ve previously offered career-building experience through schemes that bring the power of reading and creative writing to the public such as Sussex Writes.
Outside the classroom, you can join our Philosophy Society where you:
- get involved in philosophical debates
- attend talks by visiting speakers
- network with other philosophy students.
What to do with a Philosophy degree
Explore the careers you might be interested in after studying for a degree in Philosophy
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work