Literature and Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Arts at the University of Oxford offers a comprehensive and rigorous exploration of literary, artistic, and cultural history from antiquity to the present day. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to develop students' critical thinking, analytical skills, and cultural awareness through the study of a diverse range of texts, artworks, and historical contexts. Students will engage deeply with primary and secondary sources across multiple disciplines, including literary analysis, visual culture, history, and philosophy. The curriculum combines core modules that provide foundational knowledge with optional courses that allow for specialization in areas such as medieval literature, modernist art, Renaissance culture, or contemporary media. Throughout the course, students participate in seminars, lectures, and independent research projects, fostering intellectual independence and rigorous scholarship. The programme emphasizes close reading, contextual understanding, and the development of a nuanced appreciation for cultural artifacts. Students are encouraged to critically examine different perspectives and interpretative frameworks, preparing them for careers in academia, publishing, arts administration, journalism, or other fields requiring strong cultural literacy. The faculty comprises distinguished scholars with expertise across literature, art history, history, and philosophy, providing students with mentorship and access to cutting-edge research. The programme also offers opportunities for internships, study abroad, and participation in cultural events, enriching the academic experience and fostering a global outlook. Graduates of the Literature and Arts programme at Oxford are well-equipped with the analytical tools and cultural insights necessary for understanding the complexities of human expression across time and space, making them highly competitive in a wide range of professional contexts.

Structure of the Literature and Arts Course

Year One

Two core courses in year one will introduce students to post-graduate research skills and methodologies and use a series of case studies to explore some of the challenges inherent in the practice of interdisciplinary study.

Students will also take two options during year one, which will allow them to begin to specialise either by period or theme.

Year Two

A third option at the start of year two will enable students to gain wide-ranging insight into their chosen area of study before deciding on their dissertation topic. A final core course in cultural theory will prepare the student for the writing of the dissertation. This involves writing an article for and contributing to the production process of the course's online journal, Vides.  The dissertation occupies the final two terms of year two.

Core Courses

Core courses will be both residential and delivered through online distance learning modules.

Residences: students will attend tutorials, seminars and lectures during five-day residences in October, February and late June/July in year one and in October of year two, plus an initial residential induction weekend, prior to the first core course. Residences will account for eighty face to face teaching hours over the two years (structured around intensive discussion in seminars).

Distance-learning: these modules are fully supported by a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment. Students will engage in on-line group discussions using the course website and email. Students will also have access to the electronic on-line resources of Oxford University's Library Services, including the Bodleian Library, and all other University libraries, including the English Faculty Library, the History Faculty Library, the Philosophy Faculty Library and the Theology Faculty Library. These modules are designed such that students need not have a sophisticated understanding of IT; materials may be provided in a variety of ways to suit the student's preference and situation.

In keeping with the Oxford ethos of tutorial instruction, individual tutorials and supervisions will be an integral part of the programme, most notably with regard to the dissertation. Individual supervision will be undertaken both face-to-face and by e-mail.

Options

Each of the options residences is structured in the same way, beginning with an historical introduction to the period and ending with a plenary discussing where connections can be made between the subjects studied through the week. The options are taught in the mornings and afternoons and represent a range of disciplines, specifically Literature, History, Visual Culture and Philosophy/Theology/History of Ideas. Each student chooses two options out of four offered. Please note that due to timetabling constrictions it is not always possible to allocate each student to their preferred options. The following list indicates the subjects which are available in 2016/18, there may be some changes for 2017.

Late Medieval and Early Modern

• Shakespeare in History - Dr Lynn Robson
• Tudor Monarchy– Dr Janet Dickinson
• The Role of Wit, Conceit and Curious Devices in Tudor and Jacobean Art and Architecture - Dr Cathy Oakes
• Five Steps to Francis Bacon - knowledge and power in Early Modern England - Dr Peter Langman

The ‘Long Eighteenth Century’ 

• Writing, Money and the Market - Dr Carly Watson
• British Collectors and Classical Antiquities – Dr Stephen Kershaw
• The British Empiricists: Locke, Hume and Berkeley – Dr Peter Wyss
• Overseas Trade and the Rise of Britain as a Superpower - Dr Mike Wagner

The ‘Long Nineteenth Century’

• Duty and Desire: social responsibility and individualism in the Victorian novel - Dr Sandie Byrne
• Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Late Nineteenth Century British Culture – Professor Barrie Bullen
• The British Empire and the Indian Mutiny– Dr Yasmin Khan
• 'Habits of Heart and Mind' - Victorian Political Culture – Professor Angus Hawkins

Dissertation

A dissertation of 11,000 words will be the focus of the final two terms of the second year.

The final core course, delivered in Hilary term of the second year, is envisaged both as a graduate-level survey of relevant cultural theory, which will provide the necessary intellectual contexts for the students' chosen dissertation topics, and as an opportunity to fine-tune the students' research and writing skills in preparation for the dissertation. After completing Vides, students will decide on their dissertation subject in consultation with the Course Director. They will be advised on reading lists and a timetable of work by their dissertation supervisor.

The dissertation is intended to demonstrate the student's knowledge and awareness of more than one subject discipline in this final piece of assessment.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in a humanities subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA normally sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Personal statement:Up to 1,000 words
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

The University of Oxford offers a range of financing options for students enrolled in its Literature and Arts programs. Prospective students are encouraged to explore multiple sources of funding to support their academic pursuits. Scholarships and bursaries are available through the university, including esteemed awards such as the Clarendon Fund, which provides full and partial scholarships based on academic excellence and potential. Additionally, the Oxford-Humanities Scholarships are designed to support students studying in the arts and humanities fields, including Literature and Arts, and often cover tuition fees and living expenses. The Rhodes Scholarship is another prestigious award available to international students, offering comprehensive funding for tuition, living costs, and travel. For students who do not secure these competitive scholarships, there are graduate financial support packages, including grants and loans, which can be accessed to assist with tuition fees and maintenance costs. Part-time work opportunities are also available on-campus, allowing students to earn income while studying, subject to visa and regulation constraints. The University’s college system sometimes offers specific bursaries funded by alumni donations or endowments, targeted at students demonstrating financial need. Furthermore, external funding bodies, such as government grant agencies, charitable foundations, and national scholarship programs, may provide additional financial aid opportunities, particularly for international students. It is crucial for applicants to carefully review the financial information on the University of Oxford’s official website and contact the university’s financial aid office for personalized advice and application procedures. Overall, the university aims to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from pursuing studies in Literature and Arts, offering a comprehensive range of funding options tailored to diverse needs.

The University of Oxford offers a distinguished program in Literature and Arts that provides students with a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of human expression through various historical and contemporary lenses. This program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of literary and artistic history, theory, and practice. Students engage with a diverse range of texts, artworks, and cultural contexts, gaining insights into different genres, periods, and regions. The curriculum typically includes modules on classical, medieval, Renaissance, modern, and contemporary literature, as well as visual arts, performance, and other creative disciplines.

In addition to core subjects, students have the opportunity to specialize in particular areas relevant to their interests, such as poetry, drama, narrative prose, or visual arts. The program encourages original research and academic writing, supporting students in developing their own scholarly perspectives. Practical components may include essay writing, presentations, and participation in seminars and workshops led by distinguished faculty members. Oxford’s rich resources, including world-class libraries, archives, and museums, provide students with exceptional research opportunities.

Throughout their studies, students benefit from the university’s vibrant intellectual community, engaging in debates and collaborative projects with peers from diverse backgrounds. The program prepares graduates for various careers, including teaching, writing, publishing, arts administration, and further research at doctoral levels. Overall, the Literature and Arts program at Oxford aims to cultivate a lifelong appreciation of cultural expression and critical inquiry, equipping students with skills that are valuable across numerous industries and disciplines.