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
We believe that students learn better – and think better – when engaging with others.
Small group teaching remains at the core of our BA in History, rising to 100 per cent in Year 3. Our tutors work closely with small student groups in seminars and weekly discussions.
Timetabled activities
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures |
4 hours per week |
| Seminars |
4 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.
Around your timetabled hours you'll work independently, guided by your tutor. History students are the University's most frequent users of the library. You may spend time working with primary sources, accessing archives or working with academic librarians. The skills of independent research and analysis that you develop will not only be pivotal for your course but are also highly valued by employers.
You may also take part in extra activities such as our seminar series featuring visiting speakers and our own staff and students. All faculty members also offer regular student hours in which students are free to come in and discuss any issues relating to their courses, career and development.
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 the Department of History on Campus West.
Over half of your teaching will take place in the Spring Lane building on campus. Other seminars and lectures will take place in buildings across 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 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 8,000-word dissertation focuses on a specific topic of your choice.
- Assessments range from research essays, to collaborative projects, to open 'take-home' examinations.
- Your dissertation should be a topic that is interesting to you. Don't be afraid to explore.
