About us‌

‌‌‌Our department is one of the finest institutions in Europe for the advanced study of History, combining groundbreaking research with degree programmes of incredible chronological breadth and geographic and thematic scope. We have more than 45 academic staff and around 900 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

We are based on the University's Campus West campus, a 200-acre landscaped park built around a large lake, and are a short walk from the city of York which is one of the most attractive and historic cities in the UK.

Research excellence

Our department was ranked 11th for the quality, significance and impact of our research in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, the most authoritative assessment of research quality in the UK. We were ranked 3rd nationally for research impact.

Student experience

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards of research-led teaching within a vibrant intellectual community, and have a strong tradition of academic support for all students.

Equality and diversity

We are committed to equality and diversity and strive to ensure our working and learning environment is welcoming, fair, and inclusive for staff and students alike - somewhere everyone can fulfil their potential. This is reflected in staff and student recruitment, and in departmental posts, career development, and promotion. In 2018, we were awarded the Athena Swan Bronze Award in recognition of our commitment. Read our Athena Swan Charter

This ethos is also reflected in our curriculum, which explores aspects of equality such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class from the medieval period onwards. Find out more about the modules we offer at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

You can also read more about the wider University’s work on equality and diversity.

International outlook

Since its foundation, our department has always been outward-facing and cosmopolitan in outlook; its teaching global in range and its staff and student body international in membership.

We have welcomed numerous EU and international students, staff and visitors to York, and many of our own staff and students visit and collaborate with partner institutions all over the world. We have strong ties with many countries and regions including Sweden (through our PhD desk exchange scheme with Lund) and China. All our undergraduate students have the opportunity to study abroad.

Funding success

We have an impressive track record of winning funding for major research projects from organisations such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Leverhulme Trust, and the Wellcome Trust.

Perhaps above all, History at York is marked out by the passion we put into understanding and interpreting the past.