Teaching and assessment
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching format
In both English and History, you’ll learn through a programme of seminars, lectures, workshops, and one-to-one consultations. We emphasise small-group teaching, which means you’ll mainly be taught in seminars.
York’s English and History degree is renowned for its flexible and innovative approach.
- You can typically expect eight contact hours per week – and sometimes more. There are also numerous opportunities for informal contact.
- Our friendly, approachable, and accessible staff are world-leading experts in their fields. They are each available to meet individually with you during two weekly open office hours.
- We organise many guest lectures and readings by well-known writers and historians.
Timetabled activities
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures |
4-5 hours per week |
| Film Screening |
2-3 hours per semester |
| Seminars and workshops |
4-6 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Facilities
Thin Ice Press is the Department of English and Related Literature’s in-house printing studio, whose iron presses chart the evolution of print from 1838-1926. They offer opportunities to experience the relationship between writing and printing practices through publication, practice-led research, teaching, and public workshops.
The University is home to the Borthwick Institute for Archives and students can also access York Minster Library and the City Archives. We're also close to the British Library Reading Room at Boston Spa where you can consult millions of items.
Teaching location
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature and the Department of History, which are on Campus West.
Your contact hours will be divided between Derwent College, Vanbrugh College, the Spring Lane Building, and other locations nearby on Campus West.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Assessment and feedback
The Department of English and Related Literature employs a variety of assessment methods, including group projects and open exams, but with a strong emphasis on essay writing. Your main mode of assessment will be essays, which will range from short exploratory exercises to more detailed discussions on a topic of your choice. We offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
The Department of History also uses a variety of assessment methods. These include assessed essays from 2,000-4,000 words, closed exams, and open exams, and you will complete a 3,000-word group project in your second year.
In your third year, you will bring your two subjects into dialogue in a 7,000-8,000 word bridge dissertation on a topic of your choosing.
Both departments offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
