Arts and Humanities is one of our most popular subjects at Melio but, as a subject that isn’t readily available to study in school, it is also one that many students have little understanding of before they join us for their online course. 

 As an academic course, it is often chosen at degree level under subjects such as; Architecture, Art, Fashion, Photography, Classics and Ancient History, English Language and Literature, Archaeology, Linguistics, Modern Languages, Performing Arts, Philosophy, Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies and History degrees! All of which are all included under the ‘arts and humanities’ umbrella of degrees which are all Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees. 

This might seem a bit overwhelming with so many subjects being counted as ‘arts and humanities’ so this blog will take you through an introduction to the subject and help you understand the intricacies of the topics involved in its study a bit better. 

What is Arts and Humanities?

Put simply, Arts and Humanities is the combined study of social sciences, art, history, language and culture. Studying arts and humanities is central to all human cultures throughout time as it can aid a deeper understanding of cultures and lay the groundwork for a more in-depth study. The subject can also prepare you to think critically, act creatively, and succeed in an ever-increasingly, changing world.

As arts and humanities covers a wide range of different subjects, this can be a great option for students to study who aren’t sure what subject they want to specialise in yet. It can be hard when choosing your GCSE subjects or a university course if you aren’t sure what career you want to pursue or the subject you want to focus on, so choosing a subject with a variety of topics can open your eyes to a whole range of interests.

In this way, studying arts and humanities will give you an insight into a number of different subjects which could help you find a passion you didn’t know you had or narrow down the subject options - finding a subject you don’t want to study is just as helpful as finding one you do. 

Pursuing academia in an arts and humanities subject will demonstrate to future employers that you have a passion for learning about the world around you, that you are invested in advancing your academic career and that you have mastered the skills needed to write university level essays and meet deadlines. This is important to employers when they’re hiring along with skills like critical thinking and problem solving, as they are looking for candidates who can show their dedication to a subject. 

What does an Arts and Humanities degree involve?

Typically with an arts and humanities degree, like with the subjects mentioned above, you will receive a BA (Bachelor of Arts) honours degree. The degree you choose to study will be separated into different modules each term. Each module covers specific topics you will study and has a credit value  - undergraduate students study modules with a combined total of 120 credits per academic year.

Throughout the degree, you will most likely be assessed through a blend of coursework and exams (however some courses may have more coursework than exams, for example) based on the content you have learned that year or term. If you choose to study dance at university, the specifications for assessment may well be more practical pieces of work, where you get a chance to demonstrate your dance skills, rather than sitting in exam halls or writing pieces of coursework. 

It’s really important before committing to a university degree that you understand how it is going to be assessed. If you are a student who hates exams and always feels like you underperform in exam conditions, it is a good idea to consider this when choosing your degree. To understand more about the specific arts and humanities degree you want to study, including the course details and assessment information, look on the university website for their programme specificity.

What types of Arts and Humanities degrees are there?

As mentioned above, there are a number of different arts and humanities degrees that you can study to pursue a desired career path. 

Well over 100,000 students study an arts and humanities subject every year. While there are a huge number of arts and humanities degrees, there are some clear favourites; according to the National Centre for Education Statistics, more than 40,000 English Language and Literature majors graduated in 2018. That same year, 17,000 students majored in a foreign language, and just under 10,000 students earned a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies. General liberal arts and humanities degrees accounted for another 44,000 majors. 

Other subjects that fall under the arts and humanities umbrella that aren’t as popular with students at university level include; Dance, Film, Radio and Television, Music and Art. These degree options are often chosen by students who have a clear idea of the career they want to pursue; for example, while it’s very important to study a subject you enjoy, if you aren’t sure of a career in dance it may not be the best choice to choose this as your degree. 

What can you do with an Arts and Humanities degree?

Due to the wide variety of subjects affiliated with an arts and humanities degree, there are so many different career options you can choose from! For example, with an English degree there are so many options for career paths so this is a great degree to choose if you’re unsure of what you want to do after university. Some examples of jobs you can do with an English degree include; digital copywriter, editorial assistant, English and a foreign language teacher, journalist, tutor, copy editor, proof-reader, teacher and writer. 

However there are also jobs you could pursue with an English degree that aren’t directly related to the subject, including; librarian, consultant, marketing executive, public relations officer and records manager. As mentioned previously, if you are unsure about the career path you want to choose, it is a good idea to research which degrees have flexibility when it comes to different careers. 

Likewise, if you pursue your studies in a subject like History or Philosophy then you can apply your skills and academic knowledge to a range of sectors from journalism and government policy work to teaching and social research.

Furthermore, if you choose to study one of the more niche arts and humanities subjects, like art for example, there are still a number of career options that you can choose from, but they are a bit more specific to the subject. For example, with an art degree students can pursue; art therapist, gallery manager, conservator or work as a  graphic designer. 

If you’re thinking about your future options and potential career opportunities, then taking a look at graduate job search sites like Prospects can be really beneficial at showing you your future options and learning more about where your subject interests could take you.

Summary

Want to learn more about this subject? At Melio, we offer online tutoring in Arts and Humanities through our One-on-One Tutorials. 

The course is designed to help students learn how to best appreciate the finest works of art, as taught by experts in the field. With bespoke 1:1 teaching, you can learn the fundamentals of the arts and humanities, and dive into the works of those who have mastered them. This course gives students the opportunity to explore the arts and humanities subjects before they commit to a GCSE, A-Level or degree choice so they can decide if it would be the right course for them. 

One-on-One Tutorials are our more bespoke online learning programme, giving students the ability to choose when the sessions take place so they are able to schedule them alongside other extra-curricular activities. This course is taught in hourly sessions (starting at 10) with an expert tutor so is ideal to complete during term time or in preparation for choosing subjects to study. 

For more information on our Arts and Humanities course and One-on-One Tutorials, get in touch with our admissions team or visit our website.