When deciding on your study options, it’s always useful to get an idea of what to expect. Sometimes this can be difficult to imagine when you're dealing with a subject area that has a large number of specialisations. This is certainly the case for the humanities, which is often described as a ‘general degree’.

This description can be misleading however and doesn't give you the detail you need to make an informed decision. Here's what you can expect when studying for a humanities degree as an international student.

What exactly are ‘The Humanities’?

Subjects in the humanities are focused on critical study and questioning of the human experience. This covers aspects of culture and society, from language through to history. The humanities cannot be described as a discipline in and of itself, but rather a broad term used to describe a field of enquiry.

When pursuing a subject in this field you’ll be making use of critical and analytical methods to explore key parts of human expression. What makes subjects in the humanities field move away from that of science-based subjects, is both the content and the fact that an empirical methodological approach is not generally used.

However, the line can be slightly blurred when it comes to social sciences, which are often described as using both methods common to science and the humanities. Subjects such as psychology and sociology are often grouped under humanities. However, this may depend on the country in which you choose to study and individual institutions.

What are the entry requirements for a humanities degree?

For entry onto an undergraduate humanities course, you will need to have achieved a good pass in your high school diploma, A-Levels or equivalent. 

Qualifications in the humanities will also require you to show that you have a good level of English language proficiency and submit an English language test score. This may differ according to university or course, however, a general rule is an IELTS score of at least 6.0 with no individual section lower than 5.5, or a TOEFL score of at least 60.

It's possible to study a pre-sessional English course, pathway programme or foundation course that familiarises you with the academic requirements of degree study, including the English language requirements. It’s also a chance to get to know some of the subject matter you’ll be studying for your degree.

What subjects are there in humanities?

There are a wide variety of subjects to choose from in the humanities, which can feel a little confusing, but what can help is dividing the subjects into key areas. These are; languages, literature, arts, philosophy, and history. You may also find that social sciences subjects are grouped alongside these core categories under the description of social studies. Some of the subjects you may study in a humanities degree include:

• English
• French
• Journalism
• Law
• Archaeology
• Politics
• Linguistics
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Drama
• Fine art
• Religious studies
• Literature
• Education

Remember that during your degree you'll have the opportunity to study more than one subject and so can find your preferred area as you develop. This can be in the form of a major or a professional degree. You’ll likely need to have a good idea of which subjects you would like to major in or if you want to continue towards a professional degree in a subject.

What can I expect to study in a humanities degree?

Institutions may have variations as to how they structure a general humanities degree, however, there are some things they have in common. The most well-known degree in the field is a Bachelor of Arts (BA), which is a three-year course of study.

Humanities BA

• First year - you’ll need to complete several pre-requisite subject modules to progress. Depending on the university, this will likely be between three or four subjects/modules. There will be a mandatory course/s alongside subjects that you will be able to select, which should be a subject you wish to specialise in.

• Second year - you’ll be studying two to three subjects, which will be a combination of the areas that you have chosen to specialise in and possibly a broader subject choice. Universities always recommend that by your second year you should have an idea of what you want to major in as this will influence your postgraduate options and potential study route.

• Third year - is the final and most demanding of your studies, with a narrowing and specific focus on key subject areas. You’ll be expected to demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of your chosen major subjects.

What skills can you develop?

A humanities curriculum is designed to develop several essential skills that employes want, including:

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Information analysis
• Research
• Professional competencies

What about postgraduate options?

Once you have completed your undergraduate degree in humanities, either a three-year general qualification or a four-year professional degree, you have the option of specialising in a subject area by pursuing an honour’s degree. In the majority of cases, your honour’s qualification will be in an area of specialisation from your undergraduate degree, providing continuity and a deeper focus.

However, it is also possible to take an honour’s or postgraduate degree in a related subject not the same as your major, as long as there is an overlap and strong foundation between the two. Humanities subjects have elements that are easy to transfer to other subjects. For example, if you took history as a major subject you may be able to take politics for your honours, as both subjects draw on a similar knowledge.

There are also a significant number of avenues you can pursue in the humanities for master’s and doctoral degrees. These are however often much more focused than what you may be used to at undergraduate and honours level. They may be a combination of research and coursework or could be purely research-based. 

You’ll work much closer with academics and lecturers, including a supervisor.  With a postgraduate degree in humanities, you’ll be dealing with the finer details of a subject, developing new ideas and trying to contribute to the field.

Now that you have a better idea of what’s involved in a humanities degree you can also read about some of the careers for humanitites graduates and the top humanities degrees.