What captivated me most was the interdisciplinary nature of these subjects. They complement one another, helping me see how in life, no topic exists in isolation. Every idea is enriched when viewed through the lens of other disciplines, creating a more nuanced and practical understanding of the world. Growing up in France, I found that opportunities to study in such a multidisciplinary way at university were limited. That’s when I stumbled upon the concept of a Liberal Arts degree - and realised it was the perfect fit for me!
A Liberal Arts degree offers an incredibly broad curriculum. At King’s, you can choose from 12 modules ranging from English literature to international development, passing by theology and media studies. There is even an option to study a language module or spend a semester abroad in the second year. There is also a core Liberal Arts module every year that brings everyone together. These classes are fantastic, often including outings to places like the Globe Theatre or Tate Modern, which create opportunities to bond with classmates. In the second year, students are required to choose a major, which makes up half of their credits. However, because the first year is all about exploring different modules and experimenting, making that choice felt much less daunting. This meant I could pursue multiple interests simultaneously while gradually narrowing down my focus.
One of the best things about this degree is how it encourages you to explore new interests. Personally, I’d always leaned towards modules related to geopolitics and sociology. But when choosing my first-year modules, I thought, “Why not pick something just for fun?” So, I signed up for an introduction to film studies - and absolutely loved it! Since then, I’ve continued to take a film module every semester.
This degree isn’t just about academic flexibility—it’s also about personal growth. You’re constantly exposed to people with vastly different interests and passions. Through discussions and group work, you not only discover new fields of study but also develop essential skills like adaptability, open-mindedness, and the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. These will later bee invaluable skills for any professional environment.
If I had to summarise the benefits of a Liberal Arts degree in three key points, they would be:
- Flexibility - You have the freedom to choose any modules you want throughout the three years, allowing you to create a degree tailored entirely to your interests.
- Diversity - You’ll meet and collaborate with people from a wide range of disciplines, sparking fascinating discussions and broadening your perspective.
- Discovery - You’ll get the chance to try out subjects you’ve never encountered before—and might even uncover a new passion along the way!