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Combined Honours, BA (Hons)

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Course Overview

Tailor your studies across literature and culture, heritage and history, media and modern languages to explore the influence of the Humanities upon the world in which we live. Our BA Combined Honours is a challenging, rewarding, and flexible degree programme, which will enable you to focus on your individual interests, strengths, and long-term career goals.

You will have one compulsory module each year which will serve as the foundation for your exploration of the different disciplines of the humanities. This compulsory module will be complemented by your choice of a wide range of elective modules covering (Menu A) Literature, Media and Language, (Menu B) History, Heritage and Classics, and, (Menu C) Modern Languages.

Menu A - Culture

  • American Studies (Literature)
  • English Language, Applied Linguistics, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • English Literature
  • Creative Writing
  • Cymraeg/Welsh (Culture)
  • Film and Visual Culture
  • Media 
  • Modern Languages (Culture)

Menu B - Past and Present

  • American Studies (History)
  • Ancient History
  • Classical Studies (including Greek and Latin Language options)
  • Egyptology
  • History

Menu C - Modern Languages (Optional)

  • Cymraeg/Welsh (Language)
  • French (Language)**
  • German (Language)**
  • Spanish (Language)**

** optional language modules are available to study at both beginner and advanced levels.

It will also be possible to study some modules across the subject areas of Cymraeg, Media and Modern Languages through the medium of Welsh and a range of Welsh language bursaries may be available.

Why study Combined Honours at Swansea

This interdisciplinary degree programme is as individual as you are. If your interests lie in the Humanities, it will allow you to create your own, personalised degree programme, through an open-ended combination of modules and subject areas. The result is a blend of knowledge, ability and experience that is unique to each student.

Along the way, you will have the opportunity to delve into diverse disciplines and examine political, social, cultural, economic, and ideological influences on societies past and present.
Moreover, by selecting modules across the arts and humanities, you will become adaptable and flexible in response to a range of circumstances: with a keen eye for detail and an enhanced capacity for critical thought, you will be readily able to see the bigger picture – a skill that is in high demand with prospective employers.

This programme is based within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Swansea, the home of world-leading teaching:

  • American Studies is ranked 1st in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2025)
  • English is ranked 20th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
  • Media is ranked 8th in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025)
  • Modern Languages is ranked 1stin the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
  • Celtic Studies is ranked 2nd in the UK Overall (Times Good University Guide 2025)

This course is based on our Singleton Campus, overlooking Swansea Bay, and nestled next to acres of parkland. You will also be within close proximity to Swansea city, a vibrant, multi-cultural, safe, and budget-friendly city. There are a wide range of accommodation options for students who want to live either on or off campus.

You will benefit from a nurturing and inclusive academic and student community.
Outside of your studies there are many opportunities to get involved in different sports clubs and societies. These include the Ancient World Society, American Studies Society Creative Writing Society, History Society, Media Society, and weekly language cafes.

Your Combined Honours Experience

This exciting and varied degree programme will allow you to experience a range of subjects, themes, and topics, giving you a broad and nuanced understanding of the world. You will be taught across a range of lecturers, seminars, workshops whilst benefitting from guest speakers, study visits and work placement opportunities.

Each year, there is one compulsory module which will anchor your understanding of the arts and humanities. In Year One, our introductory module, ‘Humanities Essentials,’ includes visits to cultural sites in Swansea and further afield. In Year Two you will complete a Multidisciplinary Project to develop your research and presentation skills. In your final year you will produce a Dissertation or Project based on your individual interests.

This degree programme is available as a three-year programme.
Alternatively, you can extend your studies by one year by undertaking a Year Abroad or Year in Industry. These additional options will allow you to further enhance your student experience by giving you access to unique cultural insights and skill-based opportunities.

On campus you will be supported throughout your studies with access to our outstanding resources and facilities. These include dedicated library and computer suites, Richard Burton Archive collections, our unique on-campus museum, The Egypt Centre, Taliesin Arts and Cultural spaces, fully equipped film and editing studios, and translation and interpreting labs.

Combined Honours Employment Opportunities

This programme will open a diverse range of career options, enabling you to follow your passions and shape your own future.

A degree in Combined Honours will boast your multidisciplinary skill set including exceptional research, organisational and critical thinking skills, as well as confidence in conveying information from a wide range of subjects and sources. We expect our graduates to be critically agile, analytical thinkers, adept at research and with a strong problem-solving skillset, including the ability to make informed decisions. The programme will include various forms of assessment, and you will be encouraged to develop team-working and communication skills through seminars, as well as project management and independent research skills as part of the dissertation/project module. This breadth of ability combined with intellectual agility will ensure that you can compete successfully in the employment market whether you are looking to continue and/or undertake a career in:

  • Further study (PGT), research and academia, including any programmes relevant to the humanities.
  • Further professional training, which will rely on them having open-mindedness, flexibility, intellectual agility, communication skills, and critical thinking skills.
  • International and regional institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, libraries, museums, research centres, NGOs, charities.
  • The public sector, for example, roles in government, councils, social enterprises, research councils.
  • The private sector, for example, positions in legal practice, marketing, recruitment, advertising, public relations, publishing, human resources, communications, project management, journalism, editing, copywriting.

You will also have access to the Swansea Employability Academy (SEA), providing comprehensive careers and employability support throughout your time at university and beyond.

Modules

Students can choose modules from:Literature, Media and Language (Menu A), History, Heritage and Classics (Menu B) and Modern Languages (Menu C). 

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Combined Honours, BA (Hons)

Combined Honours with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

Combined Honours with a Year in Industry, BA (Hons)