Liberal Arts [with Foundation Year] BA (Hons)

Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of today’s complex world and its challenges from subjects including English, history, philosophy, and global politics. Shape your own degree in humanities and social sciences to prepare for a career making real-world change.<br/><br/>On our BA (Hons) Liberal Arts in Cambridge, you’ll explore contemporary global issues and challenges from different fields within humanities and the social sciences, such as inequality and social justice, violence, the essence of humanity and the future of AI.<br/><br/>You’ll gain a thorough introduction to the study of liberal arts, as well as history, literature, and language and communication, and the ways in which each of these subjects reflect and address issues within societies across the globe.<br/><br/>Our optional modules will give you a wide variety of choice, allowing you to follow your own particular areas of interest and develop expertise for whichever career you hope to follow, with particular focus on affecting change within the modern world.<br/><br/>Throughout the course, you’ll develop critical and transferable skills that will prepare you to tackle real-world problems in a systematic and flexible manner, and deliver arguments to a wide range of audiences through different communication channels.<br/><br/>Studying on modules across the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at ARU, you’ll come into contact with other students from many different disciplines and backgrounds, broadening your own perspective and insights.<br/><br/>You’ll have many opportunities to attend co-curricular events across all our humanities and social science subjects, allowing you to meet professionals related to each field, and expanding your network as well as your knowledge base.<br/><br/>You can also attend events organised by our Cambridge Writing Centre, including guest talks and live lit jams, where you can showcase your own creative writing and make new contacts in the industry.<br/><br/>We’ll support you to find placements and work experience throughout the course, with live briefs embedded into some modules. You could further improve your CV by applying for the work placement year option, studying abroad for a trimester, or taking up voluntary positions in local schools.<br/><br/>You also have the opportunity to study a modern foreign language, which will give you a real advantage in the global job market.<br/><br/>Your studies will be supported by our team of expert lecturers, including published authors such as Dr Richard Carr (March of the Moderates: Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and the Rebirth of Progressive Politics), Dr Bettina Beinhoff (Perceiving Identity through Accent – Attitudes towards Non-Native Speakers and their Accents in English); and Dr Tory Young (Studying English Literature, a text used on many other university courses as well as our own).

The team at Anglia Ruskin understand that Clearing can seem scary. But don't worry, they make it simple and will guide you every step of the way. <br/><br/>ARU students are supported at every stage of their journey, from counselling and wellbeing sessions to a money advice service.<br/><br/>Whatever your career ambitions, ARU's innovative curriculum is developed to provide you with the transferable skills and practical experience that employers are looking for. <br/><br/>ARU has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework in recognition of their high teaching standards. ARU was also named University of the Year for 2023, reflecting their commitment to excellent education. <br/><br/>You'll have access to their careers service throughout your time at ARU, and after you graduate. They even have an in-house recruitment agency, ARU Temps, who can help you start building your CV, while also earning some extra money. They were also a finalist in the Academic Employability Awards 2025, showing the great opportunities that await ARU alumni!<br/><br/>ARU's £95m investment in the last five years means you'll get top-notch facilities: award-winning SuperLabs, financial trading rooms, TV studios, engineering labs, gaming suites, mock law courts, nursing and paramedic skills labs, and much more! ARU's Peterborough Lab building was also named building of the year at the 2025 Pineapple Awards.<br/><br/>Find out more and apply to ARU today.