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Flexible degree programmes

In a world where careers are constantly evolving, flexibility is key. At the University of Birmingham, we offer a range of high-quality programmes that allow you to build a degree across different subject areas, where you can explore and refine your interests.

Personalise your degree by choosing a flexible programme that aligns with your passions and goals, preparing you for diverse careers and developing skills crucial for the world of work, such as creativity, communication and critical thinking.

Study across a range of subjects with our flexible programmes

If your interests are broad and you want to keep your career options open, our flexible degree programmes are perfect. These courses let you mix arts, social sciences and science subjects, developing a broad skill set that employers value whilst connecting ideas across disciplines. If you’re not yet ready to specialise in one subject, these degrees are made for you. 

Our flexible programmes

  • Liberal Arts BA

    Create your own unique programme through a combination of subjects across social sciences, arts, humanities and law.

    • Study level: Undergraduate
    • Location: Birmingham (Edgbaston)
    • Qualification: Bachelors

  • Natural Sciences BSc

    Explore disciplines like physics, chemistry, biology and earth sciences and follow the path that sparks your curiosity.

    • Study level: Undergraduate
    • Location: Birmingham (Edgbaston)
    • Qualification: Bachelors

  • Social Sciences BASc

    Explore society’s biggest challenges and study politics, criminology, sociology, business, education, social policy, and international development.

    • Study level: Undergraduate
    • Location: Birmingham (Edgbaston)
    • Qualification: Bachelors

  • Politics, Philosophy and Economics BA

    Understand how governments make decisions, how economies function, and how philosophical ideas shape society. Specialise in either sustainability, social justice, global ethics and public economics.

    • Study level: Undergraduate
    • Location: Birmingham (Edgbaston)
    • Qualification: Bachelors

  • Policy, Politics and Economics BA

    Blend three powerful disciplines to prepare for the challenges of the modern world, looking at the complexities of policy making, political theory and economic analysis.

    • Study level: Undergraduate
    • Location: Birmingham (Edgbaston)
    • Qualification: Bachelors

  • Philosophy, Politics and Law BA

    Shape your studies with a unique mix of philosophical thought, political theory and legal frameworks.

    • Study level: Undergraduate
    • Qualification: Bachelors

  • Human Sciences BSc

    Explore biology, psychology, and global challenges with expert mentorship, hands-on learning, and career-focused opportunities through a Human Sciences BSc at the University of Birmingham.

    • Study level: Undergraduate
    • Location: Birmingham (Edgbaston)
    • Qualification: Bachelors

Study two subjects in one degree with our Joint Honours programmes

Studying a joint honours programme means you split your degree between two main subject areas. This helps you explore your interests in different fields and can give you a richer academic experience at university, helping you to develop transferable skills in different ways as you learn across two disciplines. Keep your career options open as employers increasingly recognise the importance of those who can adapt and think in different ways.

Examples of joint honours programmes include:

  • English Literature and History
  • Modern Languages and Music
  • Mathematics and Philosophy
  • Politics and Social Policy

You can also study one subject more than the other, in what’s known as a major/minor combination. Typically, you will study the first of these subjects – your ‘major’ – for around 65% of the time, and the second subject – your ‘minor’ for around 35%. This type of programme will usually contain ‘with’ in the programme title, such as ‘Modern Languages with Business Management’.

You can find a full list of our programmes offered as a joint or major/minor combination below. 

Explore courses with joint honours

Earn professional experience with a year in industry

Stand out in the job market with a placement year as part of your degree. You’ll spend up to a year working in a field related to your studies, gaining vital real-world skills and building a network of industry contacts to set you up for a range of roles once you graduate.

Placement years typically take place between the penultimate and final year of your degree, and the exact length of your placement can vary depending on the employer. You remain a student at the University whilst on placement and are supported by a placement tutor, and our Careers Network will help you to find and secure your placement.

Explore courses with placements

  • Study abroad

    See the world while you study with one of our programmes that incorporates study abroad opportunities. You can spend a semester or a full year studying with one of partner universities in Europe, North America, Asia or Australia and experience a different way of learning and explore new cultures.

    The awareness of global contexts and the independence you get from time spent abroad are skills highly valued by employers, and you’ll make friends for life across the world.

    Explore courses with a year abroad

  • Intercalated years

    Take a year out of your main degree to study something different. Usually taken after year 2 or year 3 of your degree depending on what you’re studying, you ’intercalate’ for a year in a field outside of your main area and then return to your original programme to complete your qualification. This enables you to gain specialist knowledge in an area you’re interested in, boosting your CV and opening up broader career options.

  • Undergraduate stories

    Explore a wide range of blogs and stories shared by undergraduate students and alumni from the University of Birmingham.

  • Careers and employability

    The University of Birmingham Careers Network provides the tools to ensure students stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market.

  • Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.

    Study at the University most targeted by leading employers in 2025. Gain the skills you need with careers support from Birmingham.