Liberal Arts (Accelerated) application links
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Whether you aspire to run arts venues, curate exhibitions, work in government, or create films, start your career with a degree in Liberal Arts. Discover creative methods of engagement and leadership that will help you to shape the future of our cultural, heritage, political and creative industries, with a two-year degree in Liberal Arts.
- Graduate in just 2 years by studying over both summer periods at the St Mary’s Liberal Arts Summer School.
- Study a cross-section of Humanities subjects, with the option to major in a subject area, should you choose to specialise.
- Behind the scenes field trips to cultural institutions and industry-led work placements are available.
- Opportunities to engage in public presentation and creative projects through media outputs, film and podcasts.
Why study Liberal Arts (Accelerated)?
On this degree you will explore the Arts and Humanities in an interdisciplinary programme, studying a broad range of subjects. This includes aspects of History, English, Film, Creative Writing, Theology and Politics.
As a Liberal Arts student you will develop your knowledge, your analytical and communication skills and blend this with your own creativity to make connections across different academic areas, becoming a well-rounded graduate with an enviable skill set. Study this degree at a pace that suits you, by either taking the accelerated learning option, which is a two-year degree programme with two intensive summer schools, or by taking the traditional three-year degree route. The Liberal Arts Summer School runs from June until Mid-July of both years of the degree programme.
On successful completion of the degree, you will be able to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the public role of the arts and humanities. You'll show an ability to cross traditional subject boundaries, comparing and contrasting different disciplinary approaches, and draw productive links between them.
There are many opportunities to get involved with creative projects such as film and podcasts throughout the degree. You can also complete a work placement, building your network of industry contacts who will offer support as you progress into your career.
Why St Mary's?
St Mary’s is a friendly campus university in leafy West London, with fantastic transport links to central London and Heathrow Airport. Within the campus you will find the historic Strawberry Hill House, Britain's finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture.
You will be taught by leading academics and industry specialists. They will help you to prepare for a wide variety of careers that demand creative, analytical and flexible thinking. The team look to support you as an individual and work hard to help you develop the skills that employers look for.
The degree also includes opportunities to attend behind the scenes field trips to a range of cultural institutions. This includes the Royal National Theatre, Museum of London and the Imperial War Museum.
You can study this degree at a pace that suits you:
Choose your own path
In your first year, you will study core Liberal Arts modules along with three modules of your own choosing. This will give you the opportunity to try out a broad cross-section of subjects, discovering new links and creating new knowledge.
During the Summer School you will choose three Liberal Arts modules from the four available.
In year two, you can design your own degree by either choosing modules from the broad selection of study areas on offer or choosing to take the majority of your optional modules in one study area, meaning you would graduate with a BA Liberal Arts with a major in that area e.g. BA Liberal Arts (History). Find out more about the major pathways here:
During your second Summer School you will study the extended Liberal Arts Project and select one optional module from the two on offer.
Placements and professional experience
There is also an opportunity to complete a work placement and to build a network of industry contacts that can offer support as you progress into your career. St Mary’s works closely with theatres, concert halls, museums, heritage sites, publishing houses and charities, to achieve a strong portfolio of placement opportunities for Liberal Arts students.
Course lead
Dr Stewart McCain
Programme Director - History