Experience culture. Uncover the past. Understand the world.
Year of entry: 2021/22
VV15
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
Meet our undergraduate students and discover why the choice is York.
Discover YorkQS World Rankings by subject 2020
This History and Philosophy degree will give you a broad understanding of forces that shape societies and cultures, and of the issues involved in critical philosophical thought.
Historians look to understand past societies and analyse processes of historical change. Philosophers dissect world views and understand the past in relation to the present. Combining these subjects will develop your skills in research, argument and critical thinking, equipping you for a wide variety of careers.
You'll join two highly respected research intensive departments, and graduate with the expertise in the origins of contemporary society, as well as with the tools to analyse issues that arise in the modern world.
Both departments use small groups for seminar discussions to allow an in-depth understanding of subjects
You can choose to focus your studies on specific periods and geographical areas, different types of history (social, political, cultural or intellectual), or different branches of philosophy (from logic and metaphysics, to philosophy of mind, to moral or political philosophy).
You'll normally take about half of your modules in History and half in Philosophy. You'll write a historical dissertation in your third year on a particular topic that interests you.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
Your first year develops your basic knowledge of argument, reason and ethics. You'll also dive into popular and important periods throughout history.
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:
You'll spend your second year exploring history through the context of the past and present
You will also choose from a range of Philosophy modules which look in depth at some key issues in philosophy:
These will help you to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills that you'll use in more specialised investigations in your third year.
In your final year of the History and Philosophy degree, you'll have the option of writing a dissertation based on a historical period, or taking an in-depth course based on the philosophy of history. You'll also take a number of option Philosophy modules throughout the year.
You'll choose a Special Subject module, typically from around 16 options. These are an advanced, source-based course on specific historical topic, taught through seminars.
You will complete the History dissertation:
Choose one 20 credit module from:
and
Take one advanced option 10 credit module following on from your philosophy option module:
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.
Research-led teaching here at York makes learning interactive and engaging. This includes lecturers, seminars, discussion groups, specialist workshops and field trips.
You'll be taught in small, interactive seminars of 10-20 students, in which you'll engage with the module content and explore any questions.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 6 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 5-6 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 Philosophy which are situated on Campus West.
Nearly half of your teaching will take place in the Spring Lane building. The rest of your contact hours will take place in other 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. Most History modules will let you write a practice essay before assessment.
You'll be assessed using a range of methods, including essays, research projects, written exams, group projects and presentations.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 54% | 43% | 17% |
| Coursework | 46% | 57% | 83% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The analytical and communication skills you learn with a History and Philosophy degree are the first steps to your successful career. You'll be able to tackle complex problems with confidence and intellectual independence, as well as communicate your ideas clearly and make persuasive arguments.
Our graduates have gone on to work in sectors such as:
You'll graduate with invaluable transferable skills such as:
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB including an A in either History or Classical Civilisation |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction including at least 9 credits in History-related units and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in History or Classical Civilisation at grade A |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 including D3 in History. |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall, including 85% in History |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points, including Grade 6 in History at Higher Level |
| 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 C 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:
| 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.
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