Modules beyond academic borders
Step outside your degree programme and expand your knowledge with elective modules.
Studying modules from other departments lets you broaden your knowledge, make unique academic connections and boost your employability.
These modules also count towards your degree. You'll need to check with your department to find out what's available to you.
York Interdisciplinary Modules
York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) offer you the opportunity to develop key skills across different disciplines. You'll be taught by academics from different departments and work in groups with students from across the University.
For example, solutions to environmental and societal challenges can only be found by working across disciplines. YIMs give students the opportunity to work on pressing local and global challenges from a range of perspectives.
Sustainability-related YIMs
- The Sustainability Clinic
- Climate Crisis Action Lab
- Future of Food

York Language Electives
Learning a language can broaden your horizons and deepen your knowledge of different cultures. In a globalised and interconnected world, it can give you a competitive edge.
You can choose from a wide range of languages to study, with options year-to-year likely to include Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Modern Greek, Polish, Russian and Spanish.

Why take a language elective?
- Learn a new language from scratch, or build your existing skills through to advanced level
- Build the confidence to interact in a multilingual and multicultural setting
- Deepen your cultural knowledge associated with a particular language, and broaden your view of the world
- Give yourself a competitive edge in graduate employment
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I'm taking Japanese as an elective module. It’s really refreshing to learn something completely different to my degree, and another great way to make friends.
Mollie, MBiomedSci Biomedical Science