Learn how studying the past can help us predict market futures
Year of entry: 2021/22
VL11
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAA (full entry requirements)
September 2021 (term dates)
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Economics uses theory and empirical evidence to explain the dynamism of economic systems. History seeks to understand social, political, and intellectual shifts as well as to determine the causes and consequences of economic trends.
Our BA History and Economics brings these disciplines together, teaching you to use the past to examine economic problems societies face today.
You'll join two highly-performing research intensive departments and graduate as a critical thinker, effective communicator and creative and analytical problem solver.
You'll study 360 credits during your course - 120 credits during each year. You'll normally take half of your credits in History and half in Economics.
Your modules in History progress from broad to specialised topics. Core modules in the first year introduce you to the broad sweep of history across time and place and historical problems. You develop this in the following years, cultivating your expertise, and - if you choose - leading up to a 10,000-word dissertation in your final year.
In Economics, you'll be introduced to key topics during Year 1. Years 2 and 3 will enable you to consolidate and expand upon this knowledge via a series of study modules which have been developed to give you a thorough understanding of the subject.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
Your first year introduces several economic theories, in addition to covering basic historical perspectives on markets and economic trends.
Either:
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:
Your second year focuses on important domestic and international economic concepts. You'll connect these ideas with an in-depth look into a specific historical period of your choice.
Choose one from:
Your final year of the History and Economics degree focuses on an advanced look into historical topics and looks to identify specific patterns throughout history.
Choose between two and four Economics modules (20 credits each). You may only choose a maximum of one module from each letter below:
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 for 2021/22 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £18,350 |
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status
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.
You will have to pay for the cost of printing some assignments for submission as assessed work in Years 2 and 3.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2021/22 throughout the year.
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 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.
Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
We hope to deliver this course as advertised for 2021/22 entry, but it’s unclear when we’ll be able to return to a normal timetable. For an idea of how this course might be affected, see our changes for 2020/21 entry.
We focus on small-group teaching that is interactive and engaging. This includes lecturers, seminars, discussion groups, specialist workshops and field trips.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 7 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 3 hours per week |
| Workshops | 3 hours |
| Practicals | 0-2 hours per week |
These figures are based on an average student in an average 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, practise 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 term time. 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.
You will be based in both the Department of History and the Department of Economics and Related Studies on Campus West. Your teaching will take place in a variety of locations 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.
Your first-year work doesn't contribute toward your final marks. We recognise that students are only beginning to develop over the course of their degree.
From Year 2 onward, formal assessments contribute toward your degree. In your third year, your optional 10,000-word dissertation focuses on a specific topic of your choice.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 71% | 75% | 83% |
| Coursework | 29% | 25% | 17% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The History and Economics degree develops skills that are highly valued by employers. Our graduates are adept at engaging in argument and proposing alternative solutions. The mix of abstract thought and quantitative techniques develops excellent technical skills for solving complex problems.
Our graduates have gone on to work in sectors such as:
You'll graduate with a wide range of transferable skills. These include:
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA including Mathematics and either History or Classical Civilisation |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 39 credits at Distinction including at least 9 credits in History-related units and 9 credits in Mathematics and 6 credits at Merit or higher. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with additional A Levels or equivalent qualifications in either History or Classical Civilisation and Mathematics at grade A. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including History and Mathematics |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall, including 85% in History and 85% in Mathematics |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points, including 6 at Higher Level in both History and Mathematics. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Duolingo | 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of Economics and Related Studies, Department of History
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