Liberal Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts at the University of Kent offers an innovative interdisciplinary educational experience designed to cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broad understanding of contemporary societal issues. This programme provides students with the flexibility to explore a diverse range of subjects across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences, enabling them to tailor their degree to their personal interests and career aspirations. Throughout their studies, students engage with core themes such as cultural diversity, ethical considerations, environmental challenges, and technological advancements, fostering a holistic worldview.

The programme is structured to promote active learning and independent inquiry, combining lectures, seminars, workshops, and project-based assessments. Students have the opportunity to study modules that encompass literature, history, philosophy, politics, sociology, and more, selectively integrating knowledge from different disciplines to develop a nuanced perspective on complex issues. The curriculum also emphasizes practical skills such as research methodologies, academic writing, and effective communication, preparing graduates for diverse careers in education, media, public service, non-governmental organizations, and business sectors.

At the University of Kent, the Liberal Arts programme benefits from excellent academic staff who are experts in their fields and committed to mentoring students. The university's state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated liberal arts spaces and online learning platforms, support a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Students are encouraged to participate in internships, study abroad opportunities, and community projects that enhance their experiential learning and global awareness.

Graduates of the Liberal Arts programme leave with a well-rounded education that combines disciplinary depth with interdisciplinary breadth. They develop vital skills such as critical analysis, ethical reasoning, problem-solving, and intercultural understanding, equipping them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Whether students aim to pursue further academic study, enter the workforce, or engage in civic life, this degree provides a strong foundation for a wide range of professional pathways. The University of Kent’s commitment to fostering innovative thinkers and responsible global citizens ensures that graduates are prepared to make meaningful contributions to society.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS
Credits Total Kent credits: 360
Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

SE310 - Modes of Reasoning

SE311 - Understanding the Contemporary

SE312 - Roots of Transformation

Year abroad

You spend a year between your second and final year studying or working abroad. We have links with top-ranking universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Latin America, China and Japan.

Modules in stage one

Modes of Reasoning 1 - one of the impediments to communication between different academic disciplines is their uses of different ways of making, and validating, arguments and proofs. This module examines the varying modes of developing scientific, social scientific and humanities discourses to facilitate cross-disciplinary understanding of qualitative and quantitative reasoning.

Roots of Transformation - ways of thinking are shaped in often unseen ways by changes in the technologies we use to move, to communicate, to exchange and to create. This module examines the technological and economic revolutions that shape human cultures, with a particular focus both on the 19th and early 20th century roots of modernity and the impacts of recent and developing technological innovations on our ways of imagining ourselves and others.

Understanding the Contemporary - current events are shaped by a wide field of forces – economics, ideologies, demographics, environments and more. This module calls on students to be aware of current events and developments across a wide range of contexts and disciplines. It encourages multi-dimensional understandings of the contemporary world – from the perspective of the arts, the social sciences, history and politics – in order to gain a broad vision of the world and the means of conceptualising how to affect and change it.

Modules in stage two

Connections 1 and 2 - through collective discussion and debate around seminal readings, this module provides you with a broad-ranging grasp of the full field of social sciences, physical sciences, arts and humanities.

Two modules of intermediate or advanced-level language.

60 credits of optional modules (see below).

Modules in stage four

Landscapes of the Future 1 and 2 - covers questions of environmental challenges and responses; politics, the state and the meaning of democracy; the potentialities of scientific development; the necessity of innovation and intervention; and the imagining of crises and responses to these.

60 credits of optional modules (see below).

Dissertation.

Optional modules

A range of optional modules from across the University can be chosen to suit your interests and career trajectory.

Teaching units from which you choose your modules include Anthropology, Business, Classics, Comparative Literature, Computing, Conservation, Economics, Engineering and Digital Arts, English, European Culture and Languages, Film Studies, History, History of Art, Law, Philosophy, Physical Sciences, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Policy and Sociology.

Dissertation

You complete a dissertation in your final year, focusing on a topic related to the country in which you spent your year abroad, or on a research question of your own choosing.

Note that during your year abroad tuition fees may be waived or substantially reduced.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement

• A level: AAB

• GCSE: Mathematics at grade B, English at grade B and a Modern Foreign Language (other than English) at grade B preferred.

• Access to HE Diploma: The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made, candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma achieving 60 credits in total, with 45 credits at level three including 30 at distinction and 15 at merit. Access candidates may also be invited to attend an interview and provide an additional academic reference/written work in support of their application.

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma); The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

• International Baccalaureate: 34 points overall or 17 points at HL, including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL (Mathematics Studies 5 at SL)

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

The Liberal Arts program at the University of Kent offers students a unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of disciplines within the humanities, social sciences, and creative arts. Designed to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broad understanding of human society and culture, this interdisciplinary program enables students to tailor their studies according to personal interests and career aspirations. Students can choose from modules in areas such as history, philosophy, literature, politics, sociology, anthropology, and visual arts, among others. The program emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging engagement with real-world issues through projects, placements, and collaborative activities. It aims to develop versatile graduates who are adaptable and well-equipped for various career paths, including education, media, the public sector, and further academic study. The curriculum is structured to provide a well-rounded education, combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications, fostering both academic rigor and creativity. Students benefit from the university’s strong links with cultural institutions and organizations, offering opportunities for internships and external collaborations. The program is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent study, supported by dedicated academic staff with expertise across multiple disciplines. With a focus on fostering a global outlook, the program encourages international perspectives and cultural awareness, preparing students for work in an increasingly interconnected world. The University of Kent’s liberal arts approach promotes curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for diverse career trajectories or further postgraduate study, including masters and doctoral programs, in areas related to their specialization. The program’s flexible structure and comprehensive curriculum make it an attractive option for students who seek a broad, yet rigorous, higher education experience that prepares them for the complexities of modern society and the demands of global employment markets.