Welcome to the Department of Humanities
The Department of Humanities blends the most stimulating insights from English literature, linguistics, philosophy, creative writing, history, heritage, and global cultures to explore the values that shape our world today. Our supportive learning environment is guided by internationally recognized research in diverse specialisms, including forensic linguistics, gender studies, Shakespearean literature, gothic literature, postcolonial literatures, creative writing, travel writing, bioethics, medieval to contemporary history, memory studies, and global human security.
Our curriculum balances a solid grounding in the discipline with personal development planning and employability skills, preparing graduates for careers in communications, media, publishing, editing, management, PR, teaching, and more. We collaborate with a wide range of external organizations, including the Broadway Media Centre, Bromley House Library, Nottingham Contemporary, National Trust, and the National Holocaust Centre, providing students with opportunities for work placements, volunteering, and project development within our partnership network.
Research is supported by research centres in History, Heritage and Memory Studies, and Literature, Linguistics and Culture. Our dedicated graduates, working both in the UK and overseas, contribute significantly to our academic life, ensuring our courses are innovative and externally relevant. This vibrant academic community is committed to providing a superlative student experience, supporting students' growth and success during their studies and beyond.
— Andrew Gritt, Head of Department of Humanities
Our courses
English, Linguistics and Creative Writing
Join NTU’s passionate community of experts, authors, poets, and researchers — all here to nurture your talents as an independent, creative communicator.
History and Heritage
Study history and heritage. Learn from the past. Use your analytical thinking to create a better future. Open up endless career possibilities by challenging your digital literacy and developing much sought-after interpretive and communication skills.
Philosophy
Learn to think more critically about the world around us. Tackle the philosophical problems and global issues faced by today’s decision-makers. Make your own mind up about the issues that matter.
Humanities Joint Honours
Get the best of both worlds with a humanities joint honours degree. This flexible option allows you to put together your own degree based on your interests and ambitions.
Our people
Kevin Gould
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts & Humanities
Katharina Massing
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts & Humanities
Amy Fuller
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts & Humanities
Lizbeth Powell
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts & Humanities
Nicole W. Thiara
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts & Humanities
Sarah Carter
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts & Humanities
Rory Waterman
Associate Professor
School of Arts & Humanities
Jenni Ramone
Associate Professor
School of Arts & Humanities
Our Research Groups and Centres
Centre for Research in History, Heritage and Memory Studies
The Centre connects NTU researchers and projects in policy, religion, conflict, race, gender, memory & welfare through varied methodologies & knowledge exchange
Oral History Research Group
The Oral History Research Group was founded in 2020 with to forge a space connecting ongoing work in and around Oral History by NTU colleagues in a variety of disciplines.
Centre for Research in Literature Linguistics and Culture
The Centre for Research in Literature, Linguistics and Culture is a multi- and interdisciplinary hub that promotes research innovation across Literary Studies, Linguistics, and Media, Film and TV Studies.
Critical Poetics Research Group
Established in 2015, Critical Poetics is an interdisciplinary research group that seeks to stimulate debate, collaboration and innovation among scholars and practitioners whose work is concerned with creative and critical theory and practice
Language, Identities and Institutions Research Group
This interdisciplinary research group comprises members from across NTU in linguistics, psychology, politics and international relations, global and sustainable development, computer science, criminology, youth and community studies, film and TV.
Latest news
Expert Blog: Understanding China on Its Own Terms - Human Rights, Tianxia, and Religious Perspectives
Mon 24 Mar 2025
Forgotten WWII air raid shelter brought back to life for lessons in local history
Thu 13 Feb 2025
NTU Journalism student and alumni nominated in NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2024 shortlist
Tue 11 Feb 2025
Expert Blog: Jimmy Carter Obituary - his life, ethics and politics
Tue 14 Jan 2025
New details discovered of how thousands of Jewish children fled the Nazis during WWII
Mon 13 Jan 2025
Sharon Monteith, Professor of American Literature and Cultural History, speaks about being elected into the British Academy.