Defy traditional subject boundaries with our vibrant Liberal Arts degree
Immerse yourself in a range of human knowledge and experience across a range of subjects in our innovative BA in Liberal Arts degree. You'll study:
- The importance of real human creativity and resilience in the age of artificial intelligence
- Literature and history from the 16th to the 21st centuries
- Politics, ideology and government in a complex, digital world
- Your choice from optional subjects across the Humanities
In common with other Humanities courses at St Mary’s, the BA in Liberal Arts is built on three pillars that will structure your progress.
1. Liberal Arts ignites possibilities, giving students the foundations to master the subjects they love and showing them the value of historical study.
2. Liberal Arts for individual and collective flourishing, nurturing students that are creative, engaged, resilient, and capable of intellectual and cultural appreciation and expression.
3. Liberal Arts for Future Challenges, equipping students to apply their understandings and abilities in a fast-changing world, balancing humane values with political, financial and community demands.
Our liberal arts programme is also available as an accelerated two-year degree.
A degree for the contemporary world
The BA in Liberal Arts degree combines a range of Arts and Humanities programmes to equip students to understand the contemporary world, engage creatively with communities and public audiences, and address the challenges of the future – particularly the growth of AI. Through our principal disciplines of History, English, Politics and Filmmaking, our degree emphasises the importance of personal creativity, public engagement, digital storytelling, and partnerships with leading cultural organisations. All of these help students develop the knowledge, judgement, creativity, and resilience they need to make a meaningful impact in society.
Expert teaching, creative impact
You'll be taught by experienced tutors who are experts in their fields. In a recent National Student Survey, St Mary's History recorded 100% positive scores in all key teaching and assessment categories.
You'll also learn how to make an impact and unleash your creativity by sharing your subject knowledge through public-facing and creative projects.
Small class sizes and one-to-one support
We're a community. Our class sizes are small, so you'll get valuable time with your lecturers, as well as one-to-one support. We care about our students and will encourage you to think critically.
- 1st in London for ‘Academic Support’ (National Student Survey), 2023)
- 2nd in London for ‘Teaching on My Course’ (National Student Survey (NSS), 2023
Your lecturers will get to know you quickly and will be committed to your development from the start of the course. When you study Liberal Arts at St Mary's, you get:
- a personal tutor for academic support
- learning and development lecturers to help you build strong study skills
- a university wellness team.
Our student, Shekinah says explains that conversations with our academics help her feel “at home”.
Another student, Meg, added, "I loved my St Mary’s experience! My lecturers knew my name and had an open-door policy."
Hands-on learning in London
Our students tell us that St Mary’s is the perfect location to explore a range of Humanities subjects at London’s many theatres, museums, archives and historic houses, such as:
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- Hampton Court Palace
- The Tate Modern
- BFI Southbank
- The British Library
- The National Archives
- Museum of London
As a student here, you’ll have easy access to great libraries, archives, galleries and other sites where you can do your own research and build your expertise. We have also formed dynamic partnerships with institutions like Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham Film Studios and Hogarth’s House. These connections are important for developing employability skills, understanding what professionalism means in the workplace, and thinking about the public importance of the arts and humanities.
Career opportunities
With our Liberal Arts degree, you’ll learn essential skills for a successful career. You'll become highly skilled in research, managing information, critical thinking, analysis, and presenting convincing arguments. You'll also learn how to express yourself clearly and fluently.
Right from the start of your course, you'll have access to our Career Services, which provides students and graduates with impartial advice on their career progression and development.
Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Liberal Arts BA (Hons) include:
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Course content
Modules
In each year, you take compulsory (or core) modules that give you a firm foundation in Humanities skills and the ways in which past and present human experience is researched and understood. Across the three years, these modules ensure that you get a proper breadth and depth of study in the Liberal Arts. You will have space to take some optional modules from our four principal disciplines. This is an important and distinctive part of our Liberal Arts programme, enabling you to build a degree that reflects your interests and future needs.
Normally, you study six modules in a year: three modules in the autumn semester and a different three in the winter/spring semester. There is also one year-long module, which is the final year Liberal Arts Independent Project.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
How the degree is taught
Teaching methods
You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.
Our tutors are experts in their field, and their research will inform what you can learn in History, English, Politics and Film-making and how you learn it. You'll become an independent researcher with a range of critical thinking and analytical skills that are applicable to a broad range of careers.
In the first two years of the degree, you'll usually have three classes in a week. This means that you'll typically have nine hours each week of taught classes. Unlike at larger universities, you won't be taught in crowded lecture halls. We mainly deliver teaching in the form of micro lectures, seminars and workshops. In these, you'll work with other students, discuss ideas, and have lots of opportunities to ask questions. We'll support you in class to develop your ideas and your thinking. We are good at creating positive and supportive environments that encourage learning.
Typical class sizes range from 10 to 25 students.
We regularly take advantage of our location and size to hold classes off campus. You'll visit some great museums, contemporary art, heritage sites and archives in your time with us. As well as adding variety to your learning, these visits help you to think about the wider public role of the Liberal Arts and Humanities.
Some teaching is also done through tutorials and supervisions, which are a great opportunity for you to discuss your work with us in detail.
- Contact time
- 17%
- Independent study
- 60%
- Guided learning
- 23%
Assessment methods
All our modules are assessed by different forms of coursework. You'll write essays, source reviews, and reflective commentaries, and you'll record and deliver presentations. You'll also have the chance to stretch your creative talents by doing things such as making a short film, designing a historical walking tour, creating a poster, recording a podcast, and curating part of a gallery exhibition.
You'll be encouraged to meet regularly with tutors to discuss your work individually.
No exams
All our modules are assessed by coursework only. Study Liberal Arts with us and leave exam stress behind.
Feedback
We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
Who teaches this course?
Entry requirements
2026 to 2028 entries
Start date
Standard offer
112 UCAS points
Contextual offer
96 UCAS points
About Contextual Offer:
Not sure about your grades? We consider all factors when reviewing your application, as we know not everyone has the same support to reach their potential. So we may make a contextual offer below the standard Tariff if you meet our criteria. Read more about contextual offers.
We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
- subjects studied at Level 3
- your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
- non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
- your references and motivation.
FAQs
A Liberal Arts degree combines several Arts and Humanities subjects rather than focusing on one. At St Mary's, you'll study across History, English, Politics and Filmmaking, with optional subjects from across the Humanities.
Liberal Arts suits students who want breadth rather than a single-subject degree. You'll build the critical thinking, creativity and adaptability that matter more than ever in the age of AI.
You'll study literature, history, politics and the role of human creativity in the age of AI, taught through small classes and hands-on learning at London's museums, theatres and archives.
Graduates go on to careers in the creative and cultural industries, media, publishing, teaching, politics and the charity sector – anywhere that values research, writing and creative thinking.
The BA in Liberal Arts at St Mary's is a three-year full-time course, also available as an
Fees & funding
September 2026
Home
£9,790
International
£17,445
*Please note: The above fees are for September 2026 and September 2027 fees will be published shortly. Tuition fee increases for undergraduate Home students are subject to regulatory control by the UK Government. These fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
For more information on foundation year fees for home students, please check the details on our tuition fee page.
For more information about whether you are likely to pay home or international fees, please visit our 'understanding your tuition fee status' page.
Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.
Scholarships
Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.
Living costs
A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.
Apply now
Interested in applying through Clearing?
We're on live chat, ready to help you with your Clearing journey, or you can contact us directly on WhatsApp: +44 7360 538225.
Not sure yet? Find out more about Clearing 2026 at St Mary's.
If you're currently living in the United Kingdom and Ireland, you'll need to apply directly through UCAS. You can check our step-by-step application guide for detailed information. You will also need to apply directly if you want to study any course part-time.
If you're an international student and you would like to apply for Foundation and Placement Year courses, you can submit an application directly or add St Mary's University as a choice on UCAS. Check our guideline for more information.
September
Transferring from another institution?
St Mary's is happy to consider applications from students who wish to transfer from another university. If this is you, please follow these instructions. Please note: we do not currently accept transfers into our LLB courses.
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