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BA (Hons) History/Politics

See the world by understanding its past

Year of entry: 2024/25

UCAS code

VL12

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£23,700 per year

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Discover York

in the UK for research impact in history

according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021)

in the UK for history

Complete University Guide 2024

in the Russell Group for 'Organisation and management'

of institutions included in the National Student Survey 2023 for politics.

Understanding the past is crucial to responding to the political challenges of the future.

Applications for this course are closed to UK (home) applicants for 2024/25. Applications for 2025/26 will open in September.

This exciting combined degree in History and Politics will help you attain a global understanding of events, institutions and structures. You'll explore how human society works now, and how it has worked in the past. You'll analyse the meaning of ideas such as freedom and democracy, and investigate the factors that have shaped society and culture around the world over time.

You'll join two highly respected research intensive departments, being taught by academics at the forefront of their field. You'll graduate with the knowledge and the practical skills to play your part in tackling some of the world’s most important problems.

Studying History and Politics at York is always lively with discussion, with lecturers engaging and pushing students to explore ideas as fully as possible. I have enjoyed interacting with both the contemporary and historical elements of this degree. This has helped me to become more well-rounded in my approach to current and historical events, both within my study and outside of it.
Evie, History and Politics student

Tailor your degree

You can choose a wide variety of modules across history and politics

The city of York is rich in history and culture

York has a rich and turbulent history stretching back to the Romans. Today the city boasts beautiful architecture, museums and archives. There is also a strong sense of social justice; we are the UK's first Human Rights City.

2nd in the Russell Group for organisation and management in Politics

National Student Survey (2022)

Course content

One of the most exciting aspects of the History and Politics degree at York is living and learning in a city with such a long and varied history. You'll be surrounded by evidence of the city’s rich heritage. Stretching from the Romans, through the Vikings to the Georgians, there's a heritage that we actively draw on in our teaching.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placement year

The placement year provides you with an opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of fields while putting your academic learning into practice. You could apply to roles that are related to your degree, such as the House of Commons Placement Scheme or a placement with YouGov, or to a business-related placement in a wide variety of organisations and industries.

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Year 1

You'll begin examining the broader concepts of how history has shaped the modern world. At the same time, your required Politics modules will focus on contemporary politics with an emphasis on the state.

Core modules

Option modules

You will also study two option modules. Examples may include:

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

Your second year in the History and Politics degree will be about preparing for your final dissertation and reports. You'll begin to design your project and learn how to use the tools needed to complete it. 

Core module

Option modules

You will also study four option modules.

  • In semester one, you'll take one History Explorations option module alongside the Politics core module Theories of the State, and one Politics option module OR one elective module.
  • In semester two, you'll take one History Explorations option or an elective module, alongside the core History module Historical Thinking and one Politics option module.
Politics

Examples may include:

Semester One

Semester Two

The above list is indicative and subject to change. The exact options available to you will be confirmed in your first year.

History Explorations

Year 3

In your final year of the History and Politics degree, you'll choose whether to focus your dissertation on either History or Politics disciplines.

You'll also take one History Special Subject, plus either:

or

Option modules

Examples may include:

Politics
Comparative History
History Special Subjects

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Learning by design

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.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Communicate in-depth understandings of historical scholarship, and a sophisticated appreciation of the origin and use of different approaches to interpreting the past.
  • Approach problems in a critical and questioning fashion, including the evaluation of the arguments and analytical methods of others and the assessment of the value and significance of different forms of evidence.
  • Understand the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of politics.
  • Undertake independent research by constructing meaningful and productive research questions, applying appropriate theories and concepts, producing a research methodology, understanding sources in context, gathering and interpreting data and arriving at appropriate conclusions.
  • Demonstrate versatility in their ability to interpret and deploy a variety of information types, including digital resources, material culture, visual imagery, texts, databases and statistical information.
  • Convey ideas with clarity and precision and make sophisticated, distinctive and persuasive arguments based on evidence and the use of analytical frameworks.
  • Achieve goals by demonstrating initiative, self-organization, and time management in individual or collaborative work.
  • Use insights gained from the study of the factors that have shaped societies and their institutions across history, and around the world, to engage constructively and critically as global citizens with the political, cultural, social and ethical aspects of contemporary debates.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £23,700

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.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

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.

Additional costs

You will have to pay for the cost of printing some assignments for submission as assessed work in Years 2 and 3.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

Department funding

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.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

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

Most of your teaching will take place in lectures and seminars. In addition to these, you may have:

  • One-on-one meetings with dissertation advisors
  • Essay feedback sessions
  • Module briefings
  • Optional plenary lectures by visiting speakers
  • Webinars
  • Student hours, when staff hold weekly office hours for students to drop in and discuss questions.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures5-6 hours per week
Seminars6-7 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

We are home to the Borthwick Institute for Archives, a major archive repository in Britain. It holds the records of the Archbishopric of York from the early thirteenth century onwards, and specialises in the study of ecclesiastic institutions.

There are several other important archives housed at York, including the JB Morrell Library and the Raymond Burton Library for Humanities Research. These contain collections covering subjects such as the British Civil Wars, French Revolution and Modern Asian history. Find out more about our libraries.

Teaching location

You will be based in both the Department of History and the Department of Politics and International Relations 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. 

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

Your first-year work doesn't contribute toward your final marks. We recognise those students are only beginning to develop over the course of the History and Politics degree.

From Year 2 onward, formal assessments contribute toward your degree. In your third year, your 8,000-word dissertation focuses on a specific topic of your choice.

  • Assessments range from research essay to collaborative projects to open-note examinations.
  • Your dissertation should be an interesting topic to you. Don't be afraid to explore.
A group of students reading and discussing a historical text

Careers and skills

A degree in History and Politics will prepare you for a wide range of careers. 

Career opportunities

Our graduates have gone on to work in sectors such as:

  • Law
  • Social work
  • Justice
  • Local and national government
  • Public administration and NGOs
  • Finance and accountancy
  • Teaching and academia

Transferable skills

You'll gain invaluable transferable skills such as:

  • Critical thinking
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Time management and self-organisation
  • Independent research skills
  • Ability to work with a variety of media
  • Insight into contemporary history and politics

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

AAA including an A in either History or Classical Civilisation

Access to Higher Education Diploma Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 39 credits at Distinction including at least 9 credits in History-related units and 6 credits at Merit or higher.
BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD with an additional A Levels or equivalent qualification in History or Classical Civilisation at grade A
Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, D3 including History
European Baccalaureate 85% overall, including 85% in History
International Baccalaureate 36 points including 6 in History at Higher Level
T levels We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in History has been taken.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Advanced Highers - A in History plus Scottish Highers - BBBB

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

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: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. 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.

English language

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 (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
KITE 459 Main Flight score with 426 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our 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.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

All applications must be made through UCAS. We also consider applications for deferred entry and requests, after taking up an offer, to take a gap year.

We encourage mature students to email the Admissions Tutor for consultation and advice.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Learn more

Department of History, Department of Politics and International Relations

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