Liberal Arts is a course which is not as immediately familiar to those applying to university as say History or Politics. However, for me it was the perfect choice of subject. So what is Liberal Arts, and why did I choose to study it?
Essentially, this is a course in which students can personalise their degree by choosing modules from a variety of different humanities departments. So far, I have taken modules in the Music, Politics and History departments, as well as the compulsory language module in my first year. There are also Liberal Arts core modules for everyone on the course, which focus on connecting different disciplines to allow students to be flexible in their methodologies and ways of thinking. In the second year, each student also chooses a department to “major” in (for example I chose music), meaning that you will take half of your modules each year in that department, as a way to specialise in a chosen field.
During my time in Sixth Form, I was really torn between my subjects, not wanting to give any of them up as I found each one intellectually stimulating in a different way. When I found out about Liberal Arts, I was immediately struck by the freedom it gives students to keep their options open and study all the various subjects they enjoy, whilst also building a strong academic foundation in the core modules. Additionally, the online open days I attended further enthused me, as I saw how creatively the course was conceptualised. The core modules featured creative combinations of disciplines and the creative ways of presenting these ideas These included field trips to the Tate Modern, Museum of London and Shakespeare’s Globe, which encouraged us to analyse a variety of sources and different environments. I was very excited when I found these details out, because it meant that making the most of the various attractions in London was actually part of the curriculum, not just something to look forward to in my free time.
Ultimately, Liberal Arts is a course I would recommend to those who are open-minded and curious to learn about various different disciplines. Equally, if you are struggling to narrow yourself down to just one subject to study, this is also a great choice of degree, not only in terms of leaving your options open, but also as it can turn your commitment to a variety of subjects into a strength for a potential future career by allowing you to demonstrate flexibility and open-mindedness.
A view of the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe, the sites of two Liberal Arts field trips. (Photography: Marko Blanusa)
Written by Marko Blanusa, 2nd Year Liberal Arts
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