Primary sources include works of literature, newspaper archives, images, and films. Reference materials include dictionaries and encyclopedias.
You have access to a wide range of digital sources, and also printed materials in the main collections and our Special Collections.
Digital primary sources
You have access to a wide range of online newspapers. A very handy overview of our newspaper content provides access to individual resources. See the list below for details of selected titles.
Database from Dow Jones which includes industry data drawn from international news sources. Includes full-text access to news sources such as Wall Street Journal and New York Times.
Company snapshot section includes latest news, key developments such M&A/ownership changes and new products, peer comparison, financial reports for public companies.
Industry snapshot section includes approximately 30 industries globally and provides targeted news, reports, charts, analysis and financial data.
Access to the Kremlin's newspaper of record from 1917-2015.
Online edition of the most widely read and referenced news source from the Soviet era back to its inception in 1912.
The TLS Historical Archive contains authoritative, expert reviews of books, films and music. Coverage includes the earliest issue from 1902 to 2014.
This resource provides recent content of the TLS (2010 onwards).
This resource provides recent content of the TLS (2010 onwards).
These resources are excellent for finding authoritative definitions of words and prhrases, and for researching the lives and contexts of writers and historical figures.
High quality bilingual dictionaries in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
High quality bilingual dictionaries in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Provides definitions of words in English and the development of their use.
Provides definitions of words in English and the development of their use.
Via these resources you have access to millions of freeview TV and radio programmes, newsreels and screened performances of threatrical works.
Film adaptations of classic and contemporary plays.
Film adaptations of classic and contemporary plays.
Enables staff and students to record and watch freeview broadcasts, create clips from new and archived TV and radio broadcasts, and embed them into Blackboard/ presentations. Please note: it can only be accessed in the UK. It is each user’s responsibility to ensure that the materials made available are used strictly within the terms and conditions of the licence.
Enables staff and students to record and watch freeview broadcasts, create clips from new and archived TV and radio broadcasts, and embed them into Blackboard/ presentations. Please note: it can only be accessed in the UK. It is each user’s responsibility to ensure that the materials made available are used strictly within the terms and conditions of the licence.
Movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos.
These resources provide access to images of artworks, architecture, sculpture and related art forms.
Primary source database for works of art
Primary source database for works of art
A portfolio of visual art collections comprising over 100,000 images that are freely available and copyright cleared for use in teaching, learning and research in the UK.
A portfolio of visual art collections comprising over 100,000 images that are freely available and copyright cleared for use in teaching, learning and research in the UK.
Search for primary sources among the Library's collections of printed editions of literary works, letters, diaries and facsimiles.
The University's Special Collections encompass a wide range of material from different time periods and on numerous subjects.
Some material can be viewed online and you can consult physical items by appointment in the Special Collections Reading Room on the first floor of the Arts and Social Sciences Library.
Our Introduction to finding and using archives in the UK guide provides further information about using UK archives for your research.