What Is a Liberal Arts Degree?

A liberal arts degree is a bachelor’s degree you can pursue in certain liberal arts courses pertaining to the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and arts. You may earn this degree from a university that offers courses in liberal arts. Whilst you’ll choose a major to focus on, you will also have the freedom to pick from a wide variety of other subjects throughout your education.

A liberal arts degree doesn’t always focus on the career-specific curriculum that courses such as computer science or marketing usually do. Instead, it emphasises valuable workplace skills, like critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving, so you can pursue a variety of roles after graduation. In other words, earning your degree in a liberal arts course typically means you’re not tied to a certain profession.

Learn more about the four disciplines that liberal arts courses comprise, the skills you can gain with a liberal arts degree, and what it takes to earn one.

Liberal arts degrees: Courses and requirements

A liberal arts degree means earning your Bachelor of Arts (BA) or in some cases your Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc). Like most bachelor’s degrees, a liberal arts degree typically takes three to four years to complete as a full-time student. Explore the four primary disciplines: the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and arts. 

Humanities

Majoring in the humanities means studying ideas related to humans and humanity. Common subjects include: 

• Literature

• History

• Philosophy

• Religion

• Languages

Natural sciences

Natural science majors study the world around them and how it functions. Common subjects include the following: 

• Astronomy

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Mathematics

• Geography 

Social sciences

Social science majors focus on subjects that investigate human behaviour, either on an individual or collective level. Common subjects include: 

• Psychology

• Sociology 

• Anthropology

• Criminal justice

• Economics

Fine and applied arts

Fine and applied arts majors focus on the creative arts, either with the intention of pursuing a career in that field or by applying what you’ve learned to a different industry. Common subjects are as follows: 

• Fashion

• Film

• Sculpting

• Painting

• Photography

• Theatre

• Technology in art

What skills can you learn with a liberal arts degree?

Depending on what you study, you may gain useful technical skills related to your subject matter. The vast majority of liberal arts majors also emphasise workplace skills to help you prepare for a variety of careers. 

Among the skills you’ll learn in a liberal arts programme are:

• Research

• Writing and creativity

• Communication

• Analysis

• Critical thinking

• Empathy

• Teamwork

The skills you can develop through your liberal arts degree programme are valuable. When you choose to major in a liberal arts subject and are nearing graduation, think about what you’ve learned and compare your skills to in-demand transferable skills. Then list them in the skills section of your CV and mention them again in your cover letter. 

What can you do with a liberal arts degree? 

A liberal arts education can help you gain and strengthen skills you may apply to a range of careers. In fact, one of the degree’s greatest benefits is career flexibility. You can work in a related field, or you can take what you’ve learned and explore careers that would benefit from your unique skill set. Popular routes for liberal arts graduates include business, communication, teaching, and the arts. Explore three career options below that require a degree in a liberal arts discipline:

Copy editor

Average annual salary: £28,833 [1]

Requirements: Most degree subjects are acceptable; a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or publishing can help you stand out 

Copy editors harness their grammar and writing skills to make detailed edits to digital and print publications. In this role, you’ll communicate with writers and publishers to ensure that the writing is clear and concise, and that it communicates the intended message to potential readers. Copy editors must have empathy and good interpersonal skills to navigate the creative intent of writers. 

Graphic designer

Average annual salary: £28,230 [2]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), or foundation degree in a visual arts field

Graphic designers work to provide businesses and companies with creative visuals for their brands, products, and advertisements. You’ll use a combination of software and hand-drawn methods to create your visuals. This role requires delicate communication skills as you will often collaborate with your clients. 

Translator

Average annual salary: £26,226 [3]

Requirements: None required, but a degree study of languages or translation studies may help secure employment

As a translator, you will use your knowledge of various languages to ensure accurate translation from one language to another, either in writing or speaking (often from a target language into your native language). In this role, you can work in various industries or as a literary translator of fiction works. Many translators work freelance, using their knowledge to help different clients navigate multiple languages. 

Postgraduate studies

A liberal arts degree can also help you prepare for postgraduate studies, which can lead to advanced careers in numerous fields. A liberal arts degree can lead to a master’s and eventually a PhD. Since many universities require a master’s degree before entering a PhD programme, obtaining one is a common next step for liberal arts graduates looking to pursue postgraduate education. If you’re looking to take the academia route, know that most master’s programmes may require you to have a 2:1 at the bachelor’s level.

Start preparing for a liberal arts degree

With a liberal arts degree, you can gain foundational skills in communication, critical thinking, and writing that apply to the requirements for a range of careers. These skills allow you to specialise in a subject so you might pursue your independent research with a PhD, or explore broader job roles such as copy editing. If you’d like to begin learning more or to supplement your degree studies, take a look at liberal arts specialisations on Coursera like Wesleyan University’s Creative Writing Specialization, Berklee College of Music’s Music Production Specialization, or Michigan State University’s Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization. Learning online comes with many benefits, including greater flexibility and self-paced courses.