Course summary

Liberal Arts at The University of Buckingham is a structured programme which introduces students to International Relations, Politics, Economics, History, History of Art, and English Literature. Covering a range of methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, Liberal Arts offers a unique blend of disciplines and approaches, which also enables students to explore different fields and to then be free to pursue postgraduate studies in any of these. Working with experts in each subject, students will benefit from research active academics in an environment of small group teaching. While working across areas, the programme is drawn together by its ethos of curiosity and interdisciplinary exploration, encouraging students to think not of isolated artefacts, but to develop a sense of the interrelationships between politics and the arts. Liberal Arts fosters an open, inclusive environment within which to examine often controversial issues. Buckingham is ranked in the top 5 UK universities for Graduate Outcomes, Student Satisfaction, and top for Freedom of Expression in the recent National Student Survey. The Liberal Arts programme aims to: Provide historical knowledge of a range of topics and periods in British, European, international and global history, literature, art, and politics, providing a long-term perspective. Train students in the critical assessment of secondary sources and the presentation of arguments. Train students in the critical use of texts and primary sources. Instil an awareness of the process and the evolution of a range of cognate disciplines. Introduce students to research, independent study and presentation skills through writing a dissertation. Instil understanding of the methodologies and critical approaches, at basic, intermediate and advanced levels, of a range of cognate or contrasting subjects. Facilitate the study, either broad or in-depth, of more than one subject/discipline. Provide a wider range of skills-related outcomes than the study of Single Honours. In so doing, the Liberal Arts Programme prepares students for diverse career pathways, and/or for further study in any one of the disciplines covered. In a general sense, the intention is to produce students with an ability to synthesise information, knowledge, and methodologies from a diverse range of disciplines to understand the complexity of their interactions. If you are interested in gaining expertise in various fields, and learning how these work together, please do get in touch and join us in either January or September.