Discover how literature and politics shape the world
Year of entry: 2019
QL32
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2019 (term dates)
£9,250 per year (2018/19)
£17,120 per year (2019/20)
Get to know us better and find out what studying and living in York is really like.
Book nowAn English and Politics degree will enhance your understanding of the world around you in a thought-provoking, innovative way.
Studying English asks you to embrace new ways of thinking about the world and new possibilities of expression. Studying Politics invites you to engage with a vast spectrum of political issues and problems. Studying the two subjects together asks how literature and politics work to shape the world. You will graduate with skills highly prized by employers across a wide range of industries.
You can discover more about the Department of English and Related Literature’s exciting degree programmes by watching our video.
At the heart of current thinking, research, and debate – what it’s like to study Politics at York.
In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, the Department of English and Related Literature had the highest proportion of world-leading (4*) research of all UK English departments. The Department of Politics were ranked eighth in the Times Higher Education's ranking of the results.
Both departments host speaker series where high-profile academics, campaigners, journalists, politicians, and writers share their experience, insights, and cutting-edge research.
The Department of Politics staff advise governments on a wide range of issues and contribute to news, media, and current affairs programmes globally. English courses are designed and taught by world experts who are at the forefront of current research.
I chose to study in English and Politics because I'm really interested in the political context of novels and in the modes of language used in politics. Studying English and Politics here lets you combine so many interesting modules! Studying two disciplines has widened my perspectives and gives me even more freedom over what I study.Livvie
BA English/Politics
You’ll cover an extraordinary range of literature and politics in this degree, from the medieval period to the 21st century and from around the world.
All combined course students take 120 credits each year, adding up to 360 credits across the course of your degree. You’ll split your time equally between English and Politics in your first year. You may choose to weight your degree towards one subject or the other over the course of Years Two and Three, but you must take at least one English and one Politics module in each year, as well as the bridge elements.
We are proud of our international outlook. If you’re also interested in studying abroad, there are a number of options both in the English-speaking world and in Europe.
In the first year of your degree, we’ll introduce you to the undergraduate study of English and Politics. Our modules will give you the skills you need to start undertaking literary and political research, and advice on how to combine the two disciplines.
As an English/Politics student, you will take the following three modules in English, which are worth 20 credits each. These modules are designed to lay the foundation of literary study for your whole degree.
You will also take two modules in Politics, which are worth 30 credits each:
AND one year-long option module worth 30 credits:
Note: This information reflects our current offerings. We keep our modules under review and we may make changes in the future.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In the second year of your degree, you’ll choose from a range of intermediate modules across the English and Politics departments.
English/Politics students choose from the same English options as our single subject students. These include Critical Practice (20 credits) and our Intermediate Option Modules (20 credits):
These also include our World Literature offerings (30 credits each) and our Topic Modules (10 credits each).
English/Politics students also choose from the same Politics options as single subject students in Year Two. Topics may include:
Note: This information reflects our current offerings. We keep our modules under review and we may make changes in the future.
In the third year of your degree, you will choose from our Advanced Option Modules (20 credits) in English, which reflect the wide-ranging and cutting-edge research expertise of the Department (you can typically expect to choose from around 25 options). You will also choose a wide range of specialised option modules (20 credits) in Politics, all based on our latest research, enabling you to tailor your degree to your particular interests.
Politics’ current specialised 20-credit modules include the following:
In addition, you will take our exciting bridge module Politics and the Novel, designed specifically for your degree pathway and typically taught by a member of staff from each department. This module is the cornerstone of your combined course programme; it will provide you with a range of critical and analytical skills, and will highlight the possibilities offered by studying two disciplines.
Note: This information reflects our current offerings. We keep our modules under review and we may make changes in the future.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
The fees and funding figures below are based on data from 2018 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year.
| UK/EU | International |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £17,120 |
You'll need copies of the texts set for each module. Where possible, the Department works to arrange digital copies via the University Library. Where this is not practical, you'll be instructed in advance of the start of each term about the texts and editions you'll need to purchase (whether new or second-hand).
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. 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.
In English, you’ll learn through a programme of seminars, lectures, workshops, and one-to-one consultations. We emphasize small-group teaching, which means you’ll mainly be taught in seminars.
In Politics, you’ll also learn through a combination of seminars, lectures, workshops, and one-to-ones. We offer a personal approach to learning with much of our teaching conducted in small groups (typically under 15 students in a seminar group). Our staff are very approachable and our doors are always open.
York’s English and Politics degree is renowned for its flexible and innovative approach.
As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and seminars | 216 hours | 168 hours | 168 hours |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The rest of your time on the course will be spent on independent study. This may include preparation for lectures and seminars, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1200 hours a year learning.
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature and the Department of Politics on Campus West
Your contact hours will be divided between Derwent College, the Spring Lane Building, and other locations nearby on Campus West.
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 campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
The Department of English and Related Literature employs a variety of assessment methods, including group presentations and closed 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, to the 8,000-10,000-word bridge dissertation in your final year. We offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
Assessment in the Department of Politics varies from module to module and includes a combination of exams, written essays, and project work. Your tutors will give you feedback in a variety of forms depending on the specific needs of the module. This may consist of written feedback, in-class discussion, model answers, one-to-one discussions, or online responses.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 32% | 30% | 0% |
| Coursework | 55% | 70% | 100% |
| Practical exams | 13% | 0% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
Studying English and Politics at York will provide you with numerous career possibilities. You’ll learn presentation, language, and critical thinking skills during your combined degree, and gain expertise in complex analysis and research. These skills suit a wide range of careers, from law and teaching to national and local government and the creative industries.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels |
|
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related units, and 6 credits at Merit or higher. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2, including D3 in English. |
| European Baccalaureate | 80 overall, with 85 in English. |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points, with 6 in Higher level English. |
| Irish leaving Certificate | H1 (English) H2, H2, H2, H2, H3 |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | AAAAB at Higher level. AA at Advanced Higher level, including an A in English. |
Our English language requirements for international applicants can be found on our Entry Requirements page.
To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
Normally, only mature candidates and those with special circumstances and/or qualifications will have an interview. Interviews will usually be a half-hour conversation about your interests. We’ll also ask you to bring along some of your recent essays.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of English and Related Literature, Department of Politics
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