Bachelor of Arts (BA)

BA English Literature and History

Explore over a thousand years of literature and history, from Anglo-Saxon to the present day.
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: QV31 / Institution code: M20

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

A-level

A*AAto include both History and English Literature (English Language and Literature will be also accepted in lieu of English Literature, but we will not acceptEnglish Language alone). General Studies is welcomed but will not form part of the offer.

The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be AAA including History and English Literature plus the Extended Project at Grade A.

A-level exams should be taken at the same sitting, after no more than two years of study. If you have studied an advanced curriculum, where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor. We may also require further information, in order to make an informed judgment on your application.

If your predicted grades are at thelower end of our advertised range and you arenot studying the EPQ please contact theadmissions team to discuss your application.

Contextual offer

AAB to include both History and English Literature at grade A (English Language and Literature will be also accepted in lieu of English Literature, but we will not acceptEnglish Language alone) for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.

Refugee/care-experienced offer

Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.

AS-level

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Unit grade information

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

GCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

International Baccalaureate

37 points overall. 7,6,6 in Higher Level subjects including 7 in either History or English Literature. We prefer students to offer both English Literature and History at Higher Level but will consider one subject at Higher Level and one at Standard Level. Please contact us for further advice.

Alternative entry requirements

Alternative entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

English language

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency.  The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

  • GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4 or;
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or;
  • An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.

Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found  here .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.