York is an ideal place to study past societies in all their diversity. The University is home to a large, vibrant graduate History school and unique archival resources. The city itself boasts beautiful historic architecture, museums, and heritage organisations.
Postgraduate students in the Department of History benefit from advanced, research-informed teaching in a challenging, friendly and academically diverse community. We offer an exciting range of taught postgraduate degrees with extensive module choices and can supervise research degrees across an incredibly broad spectrum.
Our taught Masters courses
Interdisciplinary programmes
- Contemporary History and International Politics (MA)
- Medical History and Humanities (MA)
- Culture and Thought after 1945 (MA)
- Eighteenth Century Studies (MA)
- Medieval Studies (MA)
- Renaissance and Early Modern Studies (MA)
- Women's Studies (MA)
Or, choose another course.
Our research degrees
We also offer the following research degrees:
- MA by research
- MPhil
- PhD
- PhD by Distance Learning
Why study History at York
3rd in the UK
for the impact of its research according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
Rich history and heritage
York is the perfect place to be inspired to study the past, with a varied and turbulent history stretching back to the Romans.
Access to archives
Students can access York Minster Library, the City Archives and the British Library Reading Room at Boston Spa.
Meet us
Come and visit us at an Open Day, explore our campus or chat to our students online. We host a range of events throughout the year including subject-specific events designed especially for people considering postgraduate study.

Next steps
You've completed: 30%