See the world by understanding its past
Year of entry: 2019
VL12
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
£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 nowUnderstanding the past is crucial to responding to the political challenges of the future.
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.
The way history is taught at York... lends itself to an informal, sociable atmosphere. Tutors are always keen to provide a quick response to any question you may have and supervisor meetings one-on-one give you all the support you need.Penny History student
You can tailor your degree to what interests you with our wide variety of modules
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.
You can apply to study abroad for your entire second year.
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. You'll also take one Politics module of your choice.
You'll also choose one of the following modules:
You'll choose one of the following modules:
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 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. Political Text and Process options examine underlying philosophies, and how they're put into practice.
You'll study one core History module:
You'll choose one Histories and Contexts module (20 credits). You'll typically be able to choose from around eight options:
Finally, you'll also choose one Explorations module (30 credits). We usually offer around 18 options for you to choose from:
You'll choose one Political Theory option (30 credits), usually from around four options:
You'll also choose either an International Politics option (30 credits) or a The State and Political Institutions option (30 credits). You'll be able to choose from roughly four to five options for each:
International Politics
The State and Political Institutions
In your final year, you'll take a specialised, in-depth module on a particular historical topic, along with two Politics module options. You'll also write a 10,000-word dissertation on a political or history topic of your choice.
You'll choose a Special Subject module (40 credits), typically from around 16 options. These are an advanced, source-based course on specific historical topic, taught through seminars.
You'll choose two Politics option modules (20 credits each) - one in the Autumn Term and one in the Spring Term. We typically offer around 15 options in each term for you to choose from. Recent options have included:
You'll choose either the History or the Politics dissertation:
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 |
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.
Most of your teaching will take place in lectures and seminars. In addition to these, you may have:
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 | 120 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 both the Department of History and the Department of Politics 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 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 10,000-word dissertation focuses on a specific topic of your choice.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 36% | 55% | 17% |
| Coursework | 51% | 45% | 83% |
| Practical exams | 13% | 0% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
A degree in History and Politics will prepare you for a wide range of careers.
Our graduates have gone on to work in sectors such as:
You'll gain invaluable transferable skills such as:
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA including an A in either History or Classical Civilisation An A level in General Studies is usually excluded from conditional offers. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 39 credits at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit or higher. Distinctions are expected in History-related units. |
| BTEC | BTEC National Extended Diploma (QCF): DDD. We accept a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels. An additional A Level or equivalent qualification in either History or Classical Civilisation is required alongside any BTEC qualification. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including History (in conjunction with A Levels) |
| European Baccalaureate | 80 per cent overall, including 85 per cent in History |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points including Grade 6 in History at Higher Level |
| Irish leaving Certificate | H2,H2,H2,H2,H2,H3, including H1 in History |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | AAAAA at Higher Level AA at Advanced Higher Level, including History |
IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all units
Pearson (Academic PTE): 61 overall with 51 in all parts
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): Grade A
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C
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.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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