Liberal Arts Modules
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Liberal Arts Modules
On this page, you'll find key information about the structure of the Liberal Arts degree and the different Liberal Arts modules available to study each year.
Modules Overview
All modules within the University are weighted according to their credit value (CATS): most modules are either 15 CATS and last one term, or 30 CATS and full-year.
Each academic year, you must study 120 CATS of modules. It is strongly advised that you organise your module choices to take 60 CATS in Term 1 and 60 CATS in Term 2 / 3.
This page focuses on Liberal Arts modules: details of requirements for Disciplinary Routes and Interdisciplinary Pathways within Liberal Arts are available hereLink opens in a new window.
| Academic Year: 120 CATS |
|
| 60 CATS | 60 CATS |
There are two types of Liberal Arts modules:
Core modules
These modules are the foundation of your interdisciplinary learning within Liberal Arts.
They are compulsory for all Liberal Arts students, and you will take at least one core module each year.
Details of the core modules for each year of the programme are available below.
Optional core modules
With these modules, you have a choice about how to fulfil programme requirements.
In Year 1, you will be asked to choose which Research Skills optional core module to study, and which Critical Issue optional core module to study.
Across Year 2 and Final Year, all Liberal Arts students must complete at least 45 CATS of optional core Liberal Arts modules. Details of the optional core modules available in 2025-2026 are available here.
Year 1 Liberal Arts
Core modules - Liberal Arts students must study both of the following modules:
This is a non-credit-bearing, non-assessed module designed to introduce Liberal Arts education and its history. We explore key interdisciplinary academic skills, practices, and approaches.
On this module, we engage with key theories and contemporary questions around the issues of truth and misinformation from multiple perspectives, across a variety of disciplines and contexts.
Optional core modules - Liberal Arts students must study at least one of the following Critical Issues modules:
This module will challenge your existing preconceptions and encourage you to develop critical thinking skills around the interdisciplinary issue of beauty through encounters with theoretical frameworks, detailed case studies, and focussed problems.
This module explores foundational moments of social change within society from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. Drawing on case studies and a range of methodologies, we examine movements that have reshaped our contemporary world.
Optional core modules - Liberal Arts students must study at least one of the following Research Skills modules:
In our capacity as learners, researchers, and members of society, we are continually exposed to statistics and data which, while it can shed light on the nature of the world around us, also has the capacity to confound and mislead. As such, it is vital that we understand both how to interpret the data which surrounds us, and also understand how to use this data to our advantage.
On this module, we explore qualitative approaches to researching people, cultures, and societies, and reflect on the theories and practices of being qualitative researchers.
By focusing on key skills, this module provides a valuable foundation for conducting ethical, effective, and engaging qualitative research throughout your undergraduate degree.
Year 2 Liberal Arts
Year 3 Liberal Arts
Core module - Liberal Arts students must study the following module:
Core module - Liberal Arts students must study the following module:
On this Year 2 core module, we explore a key context of contemporary life: consumer capitalist culture.
Drawing on interdisciplinary approaches, we examine consumer cultures and societies, practices of consumption, and what it means to be a consumer.
On this final year module, you will design, develop, and produce an independent, interdisciplinary, research-based project.
Your work can be critical, creative, or community-based, and explore any interdisciplinary topic you wish.
In addition, Liberal Arts students must complete at least 45 CATS of optional core modules between Year 2 and Final year of their studies.
We're very happy to welcome students from across the University onto our optional core modules.
Liberal Arts in Venice - Warwick Intensive International Study Programme
Liberal Arts also offers two intensive modules which are taught in Venice. These modules count towards the 45 CAT requirement for Liberal Arts students. Venice modules are not listed here, as registration for these modules takes place later in the academic year.
Venice modules can only be taken in the summer before your final year of study, either at the end of Year 2, or at the end of study abroad / placement year. The CATS for modules taken in Venice are carried over into your final year.