Modules
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- You’ll start Stage 1 with a broad introduction to the arts and humanities followed by up to two modules chosen from a variety of subjects.
- Next, at Stages 2 and 3, you can specialise in one or two subjects or combine modules from across the arts and humanities curriculum.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
Compulsory module – 60 credits from one of the following:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules AA100, A102, A103, A105, AZX103, A150 + A151.
Optional module(s) – 60 credits from the following:
A maximum of 60 credits from free choice at OU level 1, 2, 3 or postgraduate, including not more than 30 credits from Openings modules or short courses.
Visit our search page to find out more information about each of the modules you could study.
Stage 2 (120 credits)
Optional modules – 120 credits from the following:
Title |
Credits |
Next start |
- Art and life before 1800 (A237) NEW
This module explores the dynamic roles that art, architecture and other artefacts played in human life from prehistory up to around 1800.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)
This module introduces you to the art and visual cultures of the modern period from the second half of the eighteenth century to the present day.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Creative writing (A215)
This practice-based creative writing module will help develop your strengths and interests as a writer of fiction, poetry, autobiography, biography, or travel writing.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Early modern Europe: c. 1500–1780 (A223)
This module explores the history of life in Europe between 1500 and 1780 through the study of people, groups, and states.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- The British Isles and the modern world, 1789–1914 (A225)
This module explores the history of Britain and Ireland between the French Revolution and the First World War, examining the social, economic and political changes associated with modernity.
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|
60 |
Sep 2024 |
- Investigating philosophy (DA223) NEW
This module introduces six topics central to philosophy, giving you the opportunity to investigate some of fundamental questions posed by philosophers past and present.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Understanding music (A234)
Explore the fundamentals of music, enabling you to understand and apply musical techniques in a wide variety of styles and traditions.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Music, sound and technology (A232)
You'll learn about the creative relationship between music and technology, the properties of sound, and develop recording and editing techniques.
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|
60 |
Oct 2021 |
- Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227)
This module explores the place of religion in the modern world, asking core questions aboutwhat religion is and how and why we study religion.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Exploring the classical world (A229)
Develop your interest in classical Greece and Rome, studying everything from Homer to Roman social history and evaluating ancient sources from poetry to archaeology.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Classical Latin: language of ancient Rome (A276)
You'll be introduced to the literature, culture, and language of the ancient Roman world, reading texts in translation and studying Latin language.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Literature matters (A240) NEW
Explore the relations between literature, representation and identity; literature and the environment; literature and politics; and literature, escape and the imagination.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Telling stories: the novel and beyond (A233)
In this module, you'll explore the ways in which writers from different periods tell their stories and become a more self-conscious, analytical reader.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- English in the world (L201)
Explore the history and global diversity of the English language, and investigate everyday English language practices in social and political contexts around the world.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- French studies 2: language and culture of the French-speaking world (L222)
This module takes your French language proficiency to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference and expands your knowledge of French-speaking cultures and societies.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- German studies 2: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L223)
This module takes your German language proficiency to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference and expands your knowledge of German-speaking cultures and societies.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Spanish studies 2: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L226)
This module takes your Spanish language proficiency to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference and expands your knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures and societies.
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-
|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
Or subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules A200, A205, A206, A207, A209, A210, A211, A213, A214, A216, A217, A218, A219, A220, A221, A222, A224, A226, A230, A231, A251, A275, A282, A295, A296, A297, AD252, AD280, AD281, AS208, AS283, DA204, L203, L204, L211, LL204, LZX203, LZX204, LZX211, LL203, LL204, LL221, LL230, MA290, TA212, TA225, U210, U211, U214.
Stage 3 (120 credits)
Optional modules – 120 credits from the following:
Title |
Credits |
Next start |
- Advanced creative writing (A363)
Improve your creative writing skills by widening your range – including fiction, poetry, drama and life writing – and developing your individual style and voice.
See full description
|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Art and its global histories (A336)
This module explores how art in Europe has been shaped since the Renaissance to the present day by interactions with the rest of the world.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Art and its global histories (A344)
This module explores how art in Europe has been shaped since the Renaissance to the present day by interactions with the rest of the world.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Greek and Roman myth: stories and histories (A350)
Explore the world of Greek and Roman myth through the detailed study of literature, art and material objects from classical Athens, ancient Rome and beyond.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- The Roman empire (A340)
Drawing on archaeological evidence and written sources (ancient texts and inscriptions), this module explores the culture of the Roman empire and aspects of its history.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Empires: power, resistance, legacies (A328)
This module introduces you to world history from 1453 to the early twenty-first century. It does this by looking at British and rival empires, including those of Europe, China, the Mughals and the Ottomans.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Europe 1914–1989: war, peace, modernity (A327)
This module examines Europe’s economic, social, medical and cultural history, as well as political and military developments from the First World War to the Cold War.
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|
60 |
Sep 2024 |
- The making of Welsh history (A329)
This online dissertation module uses Welsh history to explore big themes, from the Norman Conquest and the rise of Protestantism to the industrial revolution and nationalism.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- English literature from Shakespeare to Austen (A334)
This module takes you on an engaging journey through a diverse selection of great literature from 1570 to 1818.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Language, literature and childhood (L301)
Develop your interest in language, literature and childhood and discover the intersection between these subjects.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Literature in transition: from 1800 to the present (A335)
This module offers a close study of literary works from 1800 to the present day in relation to significant historical events and cultural transitions.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Central questions in the study of music (A342)
This module explores what music means and does across a wide range of historical and contemporary contexts.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Key questions in philosophy (A333)
This broad-ranging module investigates five different topics in philosophy: truth in fiction, the justice of war, reason and action, life and death, knowledge and reason.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Why is religion controversial? (A332)
This module focuses on the connections between religion and various controversial issues such as politics, tradition, atheism, multiculturalism and capitalism using historical, sociological and ethnographic sources.
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|
60 |
Oct 2024 FINAL |
- French studies 3: language and culture of the French-speaking world (L332)
Develop your knowledge and understanding of French-speaking societies and extend your language competence.
See full description
|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- German studies 3: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L333)
Develop your knowledge and understanding of German-speaking societies and extend your language competence.
See full description
|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Spanish studies 3: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L336)
Develop your knowledge and understanding of Spanish-speaking societies and extend your language competence.
See full description
|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
- Language and creativity (E302)
Explore creativity in the English language around the world: from everyday contexts to ‘high culture’ literary language and the impact of new media. See full description
|
60 |
Oct 2024 |
Modern Scottish history 1707 to present ( |
60 |
Oct 2022 |
Medieval and early modern Scottish history ( |
60 |
Oct 2022 |
Creative music making (CTLU302)* |
60 |
Oct 2022 |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules A300, A310, A316, A318, A319, A324, A326, A330, A341, A354, A396, A397, A420, A421, A422, A423, A424, A425, A426, A427, A428, A430, A432, A433, AA300, AA301, AA302, AA303, AA304, AA305, AA306, AA307, AA308, AA309, AA310, AA311, AA312, AA313, AA314, AA315, AA316, AA317, AA318, AA319, AAZX300, AD317, AT308, AZX300, COXR305, CDDR300, CDDR320, CTLU301, DA301, E300, E301, E303, E304, EA300, L310, L313, L314, LZX302, LZX310, LZX313, LZX314,
*These modules are produced in collaboration with other institutions. Visit the Collaborative schemes website for further information.
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- finding external/third party material online
- working in a group with other students
- working with specialist reading material such as works of art and musical manuscripts
- using specialist software (for example the Sibelius music writing package)
- using and/or producing diagrams and screenshots
All qualifications require you to complete learning and assessment activities within a required timescale and according to pre-determined deadlines. You will therefore need to manage your time effectively during your studies and the University will help you to develop this skill throughout your degree. Information on assessment will be available to you at the start of each module.
If you feel you may need additional support with any of the elements above, visit our disability page to find more about what we offer. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements, so we can put arrangements in place before you start.
Credit transfer
If you have already had an award of credit transfer for university level study, you may still be able to count it towards another Open University qualification – to allow you to continue your studies and achieve your goal.
Your credit will need to be reassessed and you may need to resubmit evidence of your previous study. If you want to transfer additional credit that hasn’t already been assessed, we will need to see original evidence of this additional study.
To discuss your study choice and for more details of how to reapply for credit transfer, please contact your SST.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Arts and Humanities degree.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in a minimum of 120 and up to 240 credits from modules above OU level 1 listed above or those that are current and have an A in the code. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at OU level 3.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Skills for career development
Employers greatly value the high-level critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills acquired by studying a humanities degree. You’ll sharpen your IT, writing, and independent thinking skills; and develop the ability to assimilate and evaluate relevant information in constructing an argument. These are key skills in complex organisations, greatly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering, or changing career.
Career relevance
Study of the arts and humanities requires an understanding of human activities in diverse cultural environments and in very different historical circumstances. The breadth of study and range of cultural texts and objects analysed, combined with training in clear thinking and communication, make this degree course relevant to a wide variety of careers, including:
- public administration, local government, the civil service, art institutions, and social services
- advertising, journalism, publishing, creative industries and public relations
- education
- legal work
- business, banking and retail
- human resources
- charities and campaigning.
Other careers
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
- teacher (for secondary teaching, you will need at least 180 credits in the subject you plan to teach)
- museum curator
- civil servant
- advertising account manager
- journalist
- publisher
- public relations manager
- lawyer
- charity campaigner
- retail manager
- human resources manager
- politician
- librarian
- information archivist
- accountant
- media researcher
- local government and NHS management
- further education lecturer
- advice worker
- arts administration
- marketing officer
- tourist officer
- business manager.