Is 'Liberal Arts' a respected degree?

Hello!

I'm currently self-studying my IGCSEs in Thailand. I will do my A Levels and then hopefully go off to study at a good university in the UK.

The subjects I will choose for my A Levels are:
English Literature
History
Economics
Maths

At first I thought I was meant for an English degree; I love writing and reading, and am pretty well equipped for the courses I've researched so far. However, I don't know which degree is right for me; and I write this knowing that only I can ever know what is truly right for me, but I just need a bit of advice for perspective and assurance.

The degrees I want to do but am not sure of which to choose:
- English Literature
- English and History
- English and Politics
- Liberal Arts - English and Economics or English and Politics (+ International Relations)
- Politics, Philosophy and Economics

The thing is: I don't know what type of jobs these degrees would lead me to. I'm currently inclined towards becoming a journalist, a political advisor, a representative in an organisation (e.g. UN) or a teacher. But I know I won't just get the job I desire immediately. I'll have to come back to Thailand after studying abroad, and will probably take up jobs in writing or become an assistant in some field of work.

Also, I'm not sure whether 'Liberal Arts' is a respected degree or not; in terms of getting me more job opportunities and whatnot.

For more context: these are the universities I currently have in mind:
- Durham Uni (English Lit or Liberal Arts in English and Politics)
- UCL (PPE or English)
- University of Bristol (English or English and History)
- Oxford (English or PPE - although both courses are extremely expensive so there's a fat chance I won't go there)
- University of Surrey (English Lit with Politics)

Any advice would help. Thanks!

With both Durham and Bristol, I believe that you graduate with a degree not in "Liberal Arts", but in the two main subjects you studied while you were there. So BA "English and Politics" or BA "History and Politics" etc.

The best thing you can do is to choose your subjects and stick to them as this will make your personal statement easier. For example stick to English and Politics whether joint or a liberal arts degree.Adding in something like PPE or History will show uncertainty. If it is English and Politics many universities offer this and many offer Liberal Arts degrees. The other issue that concerns me is the different types of universities you are looking at. Durham is a very small city whilst London is huge probably 20 times bigger. Think about the kind of place you will be happiest. If you are looking at smaller places then Oxford Durham Exeter and maybe Bath would be worth combining. If you are looking for a big city look at UCL, LSE, Kings, Manchester, Birmingham Bristol and Leeds.

I have a lot of uncertainties about which degree to choose! But you're right, I will definitely not mention irrelevant topics in my PS. I definitely don't like crowded places so I think a small city is better for me. But that might change when the time comes. Thanks!

Bristol also do a liberal arts degree. It is a busy city but nothing like London. Other universities worth you looking at include Warwick, Kent and Royal Holloway which is on a green site not far from Heathrow airport and Windsor. All are very good universities. Liberal arts is very popular.

Hello!

I'm currently self-studying my IGCSEs in Thailand. I will do my A Levels and then hopefully go off to study at a good university in the UK.

The subjects I will choose for my A Levels are:
English Literature
History
Economics
Maths

At first I thought I was meant for an English degree; I love writing and reading, and am pretty well equipped for the courses I've researched so far. However, I don't know which degree is right for me; and I write this knowing that only I can ever know what is truly right for me, but I just need a bit of advice for perspective and assurance.

The degrees I want to do but am not sure of which to choose:
- English Literature
- English and History
- English and Politics
- Liberal Arts - English and Economics or English and Politics (+ International Relations)
- Politics, Philosophy and Economics

The thing is: I don't know what type of jobs these degrees would lead me to. I'm currently inclined towards becoming a journalist, a political advisor, a representative in an organisation (e.g. UN) or a teacher. But I know I won't just get the job I desire immediately. I'll have to come back to Thailand after studying abroad, and will probably take up jobs in writing or become an assistant in some field of work.

Also, I'm not sure whether 'Liberal Arts' is a respected degree or not; in terms of getting me more job opportunities and whatnot.

For more context: these are the universities I currently have in mind:
- Durham Uni (English Lit or Liberal Arts in English and Politics)
- UCL (PPE or English)
- University of Bristol (English or English and History)
- Oxford (English or PPE - although both courses are extremely expensive so there's a fat chance I won't go there)
- University of Surrey (English Lit with Politics)

Any advice would help. Thanks!

Have you considered the Arts and Sciences degree offered at UCL and Birmingham?

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/basc/
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/liberal-arts/liberal-arts-and-sciences.aspx

Have you considered the Arts and Sciences degree offered at UCL and Birmingham?

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/basc/
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/liberal-arts/liberal-arts-and-sciences.aspx

OP is looking for quieter location. These are probably too big.

My ex did it. And that **** was EZ.

With both Durham and Bristol, I believe that you graduate with a degree not in "Liberal Arts", but in the two main subjects you studied while you were there. So BA "English and Politics" or BA "History and Politics" etc.

For Bristol - total rubbish.

You do study a 'major' within a Lib Arts degree but you graduate in Liberal Arts.
That's the entire point of the degree - that you have a background across many subjects and can make the connections between multiple disciplines, not just two. Quote from a current student : The Liberal Arts degree equips you with the necessary skills to specialise in your personal interests with a broader perspective. Both the core units in the first two years and my current year abroad in Salamanca have allowed me to develop this open-minded and interdisciplinary approach when studying modules from my History pathway and while making progress in Spanish.

Background : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts_education

Bristol : https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2019/liberal-arts/