English and History BA
AAA at A level, English Literature and History; graduates earn a median £24,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAA
English Literature and History · 100% of entrants came with A levels · 90% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AAAtypical A level offer; aaa, including english literature and history (english language and literature is also acceptable)
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: AAC including AA in English Literature and History (English Language and Literat, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1English Literature and History
Who actually got in: 100% with A levels. 5% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 40 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 39 credits at Distinction, including at least 6 credits in Literature-related un39 credits at Distinction, including at least 6 credits in Literature-related units and 6 credits in History-related units, and 6 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD with additional A Levels or equivalent qualifications in English Literature and History at grade A. | — |
| IB | 36 points36 points including 6 in English Literature (or English Language and Literature) and History at Higher Level | 6 in English Literature |
| Scottish Highers | AB | — |
| Advanced Highers | AB in English Literature and History plus | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: arts & humanities 88% · transversal skills 6% · language & communication 5%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 6 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Other Worlds
What you learn (9)
- identify key genres and forms in medieval and early modern literature
- analyse representative texts from the medieval and early modern periods
- describe the cultural context of medieval and early modern literature
- explain the historical context shaping medieval and early modern literature
- discuss key scholarly debates relating to the period
- apply critical approaches to the study of the period's literature
- construct a reasoned argument supported by textual evidence
- conduct basic research into literary topics
- produce written work demonstrating critical thinking skills
- Writing Modernity
What you learn (6)
- explain the concept of modernity in literary contexts
- identify genres and forms used from the eighteenth to twentieth century
- describe debates surrounding the emergence of the novel
- explain how modern subjectivities were formed historically
- evaluate critical approaches to defining the modern period
- construct a critical argument using independent research
- Reading Now
What you learn (5)
- describe essential skills for literary research
- compare a range of literary genres including poetry, drama, prose and film
- describe principles of literary criticism and critical writing
- construct close readings and literary arguments at university level
- produce a portfolio of literary critical writing
- Political Communities in World History or Societies and Economies in World History
What you learn (4)
- describe political history across western and non-western societies
- analyse connections between focused historical studies across time and place
- construct historical arguments orally and in writing
- explain political changes and continuities over time
- Knowledge and Beliefs in World History
What you learn (10)
- describe key intellectual, cultural and social developments in Western societies
- describe key intellectual, cultural and social developments in non-Western societies
- summarise relevant scholarly debates relating to these historical fields
- analyse historical case studies critically
- identify connections between historical events across different periods and regions
- take effective notes from historical sources and discussions
- construct a written historical argument supported by evidence
- present a historical argument orally in group discussion
- explain patterns of intellectual and cultural change over time
- construct an argument about continuities in intellectual and cultural history
- Evidence and Methods
What you learn (7)
- distinguish between historical sources and historical evidence
- explain the relevance of evidence to a historical argument
- assess the significance of evidence within a historical argument
- identify different ways historians use evidence
- critique historians' use of evidence in their arguments
- interpret historical sources as evidence
- construct a historical argument using evidence
Year 2 · 1 core, 43 optional · 20 credits ≈ 200 hours
- Texts and Histories
What you learn (9)
- explain key issues in historical and literary research methods
- engage critically with debates in historical and literary research
- explain how texts are shaped by the context of their construction
- analyse how ideological agendas influence the production of texts
- compare historical and contemporary scholarly readings of texts
- examine critical approaches used across english and history disciplines
- compare texts from different historical periods, genres and purposes
- describe research approaches relevant to the bridge dissertation
- develop a personal research plan applying appropriate research techniques
43 optional modules
- Age of Extremes: Twentieth-Century British and Irish Literature
What you learn (7)
- analyse texts published in twentieth-century Britain and Ireland
- relate literary texts to contemporary cultural and political developments
- discuss representations of class, gender and race in literary works
- evaluate critical debates surrounding modernism and postmodernism
- construct a well-reasoned written argument on a literary topic
- present a coherent oral argument supported by critical analysis
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- American Literature: From the First World War to the End of Empire
What you learn (4)
- describe american novels, plays, poems and short stories of the 20th-21st century
- explain social, cultural, political and economic contexts of american literature
- discuss modernism, postmodernism and later critical debates
- construct written arguments demonstrating critical and research skills
- The Shock of the New: Medieval Literature
What you learn (9)
- analyse a range of medieval texts spanning different genres
- explain major literary innovations across the medieval period
- describe the multilingual and international nature of medieval literature
- evaluate key scholarly debates surrounding medieval texts
- perform close reading of texts written in Middle English
- perform close reading of medieval texts in translation
- construct a reasoned written argument on a medieval literary topic
- present a reasoned oral argument on a medieval literary topic
- apply research skills to support critical literary analysis
- The Renaissance
What you learn (6)
- analyse a range of Renaissance literary texts and genres
- explain the social, religious, political and cultural contexts of the Renaissance
- evaluate key scholarly debates surrounding Renaissance literature
- construct a coherent written argument using critical analysis
- present a coherent oral argument using critical analysis
- apply research skills to support literary arguments
- Inventing Britain, 1700-1830
What you learn (8)
- analyse texts published between 1700 and 1830 in relation to historical concerns
- relate literary works of the period to the conventions of their time
- explain accounts of Britishness and national identity in period texts
- relate literary texts to their cultural and political contexts
- examine debates raised by writers on marginalised social groups
- examine writers' arguments on abolition, gender equality and human rights
- construct a spoken argument supported by critical analysis and research
- construct a written argument supported by critical analysis and research
- Making the Modern: Global Literature in the Victorian Age
What you learn (7)
- identify a range of Victorian literary texts, movements and genres
- analyse Victorian texts in relation to their literary movement and genre
- relate Victorian texts to their historical and cultural context
- examine key critical debates surrounding Victorian literature
- construct a coherent written argument supported by research
- present a coherent oral argument supported by research
- apply critical thinking skills to literary analysis
- Modern French and Francophone Literature
What you learn (11)
- analyse a range of French and Francophone literary texts across three centuries
- describe key features of symbolist poetry and the nouveau roman
- explain themes of postwar feminist writing and French Caribbean poetry
- explain themes and context of French Algerian fiction
- evaluate critical debates using poetic analysis and narratology approaches
- evaluate literary texts through feminist theory and historicist approaches
- construct a well-reasoned critical argument on a literary topic
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- produce clear academic writing on literary topics
- discuss key challenges involved in literary translation
- evaluate issues arising from studying literature in translation
- Medieval Arabic and Persian Global Literature
What you learn (11)
- describe key themes and forms in medieval Arabic and Persian poetry and prose
- analyse selected medieval Arabic and Persian literary texts
- relate medieval Arabic and Persian narratives to their social and cultural settings
- explain the historical context shaping medieval Arabic and Persian literature
- evaluate critical debates on global literature in a pre-modern context
- assess the role of cross-cultural exchange in medieval literary production
- critique the concept of orientalism as applied to pre-modern texts
- construct a reasoned literary argument supported by research
- apply critical thinking skills to develop original interpretations
- identify key issues arising in the translation of literary texts
- discuss the implications of reading literature through translation
- The World of Beowulf
What you learn (7)
- describe the sense of place and time in early medieval England
- explain the social, cultural and political contexts of early medieval England
- evaluate key critical debates on early medieval English literature
- construct well-supported arguments using critical thinking
- conduct research to support academic writing
- identify basic vocabulary and grammar of Old English
- discuss key challenges in translating Old English texts
- European New Cinema
What you learn (8)
- engage critically with selected post-war European films
- explain the historical and political context of selected filmmakers' work
- analyse the aesthetic features of selected filmmakers' work
- examine key debates relevant to European cinema studies
- apply critical and theoretical approaches to film analysis
- construct arguments supported by research evidence
- produce written work demonstrating critical thinking
- identify key issues involved in translating literary texts
- Introduction to Greek and Roman Literature
What you learn (9)
- explain the main themes and genres found in Greek and Latin literature
- analyse how Greek and Roman literary traditions influenced each other
- relate classical texts to their cultural and historical contexts
- examine scholarly debates on the evolution of literary genres in classical texts
- trace the history of translating Greek and Latin texts
- construct a coherent argument supported by critical analysis of sources
- produce academic writing demonstrating independent research skills
- discuss key challenges involved in translating literary texts
- evaluate the implications of studying literature through translation
- Modern Latin American Literature
What you learn (9)
- analyse texts from diverse Latin(x) American literary genres
- discuss major debates within Latin(x) American literary culture
- explain connections between literature, history and politics
- evaluate critical approaches to colonialism and race in Latin(x) American texts
- evaluate critical approaches to indigeneity, class and gender in Latin(x) American texts
- construct well-supported critical arguments on literary topics
- conduct research to support literary analysis
- produce coherent academic writing on literary topics
- identify key issues in translation and translated literature
- Old Norse Literature
What you learn (11)
- identify key themes and features across various Old Norse texts and genres
- analyse selected Old Norse sagas and poems in detail
- describe the historical background of the Viking Age
- explain the cultural context of medieval Icelandic society
- evaluate major scholarly debates on Old Norse literary studies
- compare different critical approaches used in interpreting Old Norse texts
- construct a coherent academic argument supported by evidence
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- produce well-structured written work on literary topics
- recognise basic vocabulary and grammar of the Old Norse language
- discuss challenges involved in translating medieval literary texts
- Eros: The Literature and Philosophy of Love
What you learn (9)
- analyse a range of literary works about love
- explain cultural contexts shaping love literature across periods
- evaluate critical debates and approaches to love literature
- examine representations of queer and other sexualities in literature
- apply theoretical frameworks of love to literary analysis
- construct well-reasoned critical arguments about literary texts
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- produce clearly structured academic writing on literary topics
- discuss key issues involved in literary translation
- Post-War Italian Cinema
What you learn (9)
- analyse post-war Italian films in relation to their cultural context
- relate post-war Italian films to their socio-historical background
- interpret secondary critical texts written in Italian
- apply Italian-language scholarship to film analysis
- examine key scholarly debates on italian cinema
- apply critical and theoretical approaches to film study
- construct well-reasoned arguments supported by research
- produce clear academic writing on film topics
- discuss key challenges involved in literary translation
- African Imaginations and Afrophone Literatures
What you learn (12)
- explain styles and themes found across Afrophone literatures
- relate literary works to their cultural, historical and political context
- apply world literature approaches to studying Afrophone texts
- describe features of African oral storytelling traditions
- explain how orature has shaped the evolution of African literatures
- analyse critical debates surrounding Afrophone literary studies
- evaluate how translation and digital media shape the visibility of Afrophone literatures
- assess the role of multilingualism and orature in raising literary recognition
- construct well-reasoned arguments using critical thinking skills
- conduct research to support academic writing
- discuss central challenges involved in literary translation
- examine issues arising when studying literature through translation
- Creative Writing: Contemporary Practice
What you learn (9)
- identify key conventions used within selected literary genres
- apply genre conventions when producing creative writing
- describe core creative writing techniques such as form and structure
- apply narrative voice and imagery techniques in original writing
- format creative work according to genre presentation standards
- analyse current critical debates within creative writing practice
- produce a portfolio of creative work responding to critical contexts
- construct oral arguments demonstrating critical and creative reasoning
- produce written work supported by independent research
- French Autofictions
What you learn (5)
- analyse texts that blend autobiography and fiction in first-person narration
- relate selected literary works to their relevant historical and cultural contexts
- construct well-supported literary arguments using critical research skills
- produce clear academic writing to present literary analysis
- discuss key issues involved in translating and studying literature in translation
- Beyond the Book: Community Projects
What you learn (9)
- apply literary analysis techniques to texts
- conduct research relevant to literary studies
- produce written work transferable to workplace contexts
- create public-facing written content
- produce a podcast recording
- design digital or online content for an audience
- evaluate own professional development through reflective writing
- plan a collaborative project with peers
- manage project work to meet a partner organisation's needs
- Bankers, Merchants, and Poets: Florence and the Roots of the Renaissance
What you learn (5)
- describe detailed subject knowledge of Renaissance Florence
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources
- use varied historical sources to construct arguments
- evaluate historians' differing interpretations of the topic
- manage independent study through seminar discussion
- Historical Thinking
What you learn (7)
- identify key debates about the nature of historical knowledge
- relate theoretical debates to how historians practise their discipline
- evaluate how historians define and use key concepts in their writing
- identify underlying assumptions in historical arguments
- critique assumptions underpinning historical debates
- apply close reading techniques to historical texts
- analyse concepts within historical sources
- Humanism, Magic and Science, c.1500-c.1700
What you learn (5)
- describe key themes and debates in the history of humanism, magic and science
- synthesise primary sources to construct a historical argument
- integrate secondary sources to support historical analysis
- evaluate historians' differing interpretations of the topic
- manage independent study through participation in seminar discussion
- The Scientific Revolution, 1500-1700
What you learn (5)
- describe key developments and debates in the Scientific Revolution, 1500-1700
- analyse primary sources relevant to the Scientific Revolution
- synthesise information from secondary historical scholarship
- evaluate historians' differing interpretations of the Scientific Revolution
- manage independent study through participation in seminar discussions
- Historical Fictions and Frictions: Fictionalising the Past
What you learn (4)
- describe detailed subject knowledge of the historical topic studied
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources
- evaluate historians' arguments about the topic studied
- manage independent study through seminar participation
- Social Science and Modern Britain, c1880-c1970
What you learn (5)
- describe detailed subject knowledge of the historical topic studied
- combine information from multiple primary sources into a coherent account
- combine information from multiple secondary sources into a coherent account
- assess the validity of historians' interpretations of a given topic
- manage own learning through participation in seminar discussions
- Before the Mongols: Nomadic Empires of Central Eurasia, 900-1200
What you learn (5)
- describe key events and developments in nomadic Central Eurasian history 900-1200
- combine evidence from primary sources to construct historical understanding
- integrate findings from secondary historical literature into an argument
- assess the validity of competing historical interpretations of the period
- manage own learning and research through seminar participation
- Using and Abusing the Past in Britain, 1835-2018
What you learn (4)
- explain key themes and events relating to the specific historical topic studied
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources into a coherent argument
- evaluate competing historians' interpretations of a historical topic
- manage independent study using seminar discussion as a basis
- From the Global Shadows: Africa and the World since the 1950s
What you learn (5)
- describe key events and developments in African global history since the 1950s
- synthesise primary sources to construct a historical narrative
- combine secondary sources to support a historical argument
- evaluate competing historians' interpretations of a historical topic
- manage independent study through participation in seminar discussions
- Kingship, Rule and Crisis in Medieval England
What you learn (6)
- describe methods medieval monarchs used to control territory
- explain strategies used by kings to manage baronial power
- combine information from primary historical documents
- synthesise findings from secondary historical scholarship
- evaluate competing historical interpretations of medieval kingship
- manage independent study using seminar discussions
- Communist Europe: Crisis, Transformation & Memory after the Second World War
What you learn (5)
- describe key events and themes of communist europe after ww2
- synthesise primary sources to construct historical arguments
- synthesise secondary sources to construct historical arguments
- evaluate historians' differing interpretations of a historical topic
- manage independent study through participation in seminars
- Heterosexual Africa? Sexuality, Power, and Politics in Africa since 1900
What you learn (4)
- describe key themes and events in the history of sexuality in Africa since 1900
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources into a coherent argument
- evaluate historians' differing interpretations of sexuality and power in africa
- manage independent study using seminar discussion as a learning tool
- Health for all? International Health from Colonial Medicine to Covid Vaccine
What you learn (3)
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources into a coherent argument
- evaluate competing historians' interpretations of a historical topic
- manage independent study using seminar discussions as guidance
- Powerful Impressions: Culture and Politics in the Post-1945 United States
What you learn (5)
- describe key events, figures and themes in post-1945 US cultural politics
- use primary sources to support historical interpretation
- synthesise secondary sources to construct a historical argument
- evaluate competing historians' arguments on a given topic
- manage independent study tasks arising from seminar discussion
- Black Radicalism
What you learn (4)
- explain key themes and events in the history of black radicalism
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources into a coherent argument
- evaluate competing historians' interpretations of a historical topic
- manage independent study through participation in seminar discussions
- Containing Multitudes: Inequality and the City in Britain and its Empire post-1800
What you learn (5)
- describe key themes of inequality and urban life in Britain and its empire
- combine information from primary historical sources to build an argument
- combine information from secondary historical sources to build an argument
- evaluate historians' interpretations of urban inequality in the empire
- manage independent study to prepare for seminar discussions
- Chivalry, Identity and Love 1350-1450
What you learn (5)
- describe key themes and events of chivalry, identity and love 1350-1450
- combine information from primary sources to construct a historical account
- synthesise secondary scholarship to support a historical argument
- evaluate competing historians' interpretations of the topic
- manage independent study tasks arising from seminar discussion
- Catherine the Great
What you learn (4)
- describe detailed historical knowledge of Catherine the Great's reign
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources into a coherent argument
- evaluate competing historians' interpretations of the topic
- manage independent study using seminar discussions
- Vikings and Historians: Historiographical Dialogues through the Ages
What you learn (5)
- explain key themes and debates within the specific historical topic
- synthesise information from primary historical sources
- combine evidence from secondary historical scholarship
- evaluate competing historians' interpretations of a historical topic
- manage independent study using seminar discussions
- Persecution and Toleration in Early Modern Britain
What you learn (4)
- explain key developments in persecution and toleration in early modern Britain
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources into a coherent argument
- evaluate historians' competing interpretations of the topic
- manage independent study through participation in seminar discussions
- Gender, Enlightenment and Revolution in Eighteenth-Century Europe
What you learn (5)
- describe key themes and debates in gender, Enlightenment and revolution
- interpret primary historical sources relevant to the period studied
- synthesise secondary historical literature into a coherent argument
- evaluate differing historical arguments on the topic studied
- manage independent study through participation in seminar discussion
- China: An Economic and Environmental History, 1870-1970
What you learn (5)
- describe key economic and environmental developments in China, 1870-1970
- combine information from primary historical documents to build an argument
- synthesise findings from secondary historical literature
- evaluate competing historical interpretations of the topic
- manage independent study based on seminar discussions
- Crime and Society in Britain and Ireland since 1750
What you learn (5)
- describe key events and developments in crime and society since 1750
- combine information from multiple primary sources to build an argument
- synthesise findings from secondary historical literature
- evaluate competing historical interpretations of crime and society
- manage independent study tasks arising from seminar discussion
Year 3 · 2 core, 34 optional · 80 credits ≈ 800 hours
- Bridge Dissertation with English Supervisor
What you learn (5)
- select a focused range of primary texts and historical sources for study
- apply relevant contextual, critical and theoretical approaches from English and History
- evaluate key debates within relevant academic or historiographical frameworks
- construct original arguments based on independent critical analysis
- write an extended piece demonstrating advanced research and writing skills
- Bridge Dissertation with History Supervisor
What you learn (6)
- select a relevant range of primary sources for a research topic
- conduct independent research on a focused historical topic
- apply relevant critical and theoretical approaches from history and english studies
- evaluate key debates within historiographical or theoretical frameworks
- construct an original argument based on independent critical analysis
- produce a well-structured piece of academic writing presenting research findings
34 optional modules
- Pulp Fictions of Medieval England: Romance and Popular Literature
What you learn (6)
- analyse a range of Middle English romance texts
- explain the social, political, religious and material contexts of Middle English romance
- analyse how Middle English romance texts were produced and circulated
- construct original critical arguments on literary texts
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- produce academic writing demonstrating advanced critical skills
- From Tennyson to Tolkien: The Middle Ages and Modern Literature, 1840-1940
What you learn (7)
- analyse a broad range of modern literature influenced by medieval themes
- explain the cultural and historical context of medieval-inspired literature
- explain the political context influencing medieval-inspired literature
- evaluate major scholarly debates relating to medieval-inspired literature
- construct original critical arguments about medieval-inspired literature
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- produce clear academic writing presenting literary arguments
- Modernism's Queer Spaces
What you learn (9)
- analyse a range of queer modernist literary texts
- engage critically with diverse queer modernist writing
- relate literary texts to their historical and political context
- relate literary texts to their legal context
- evaluate critical debates in modernist studies
- evaluate critical debates in queer studies
- construct an original argument on a literary topic
- apply independent research skills to literary study
- produce academic writing demonstrating critical thinking
- The Villains of Romantic Gothic
What you learn (7)
- analyse a range of Gothic literary texts in depth
- explain the literary context of the Romantic period
- explain the social and political context of the Romantic period
- evaluate major debates in gothic literary criticism
- construct original arguments on gothic literature
- conduct independent research on literary topics
- produce academic writing demonstrating critical thinking
- Green Romanticism: Nature, Ecology, Calamity
What you learn (7)
- analyse key concepts in ecological and environmental thought
- analyse Romanticism as a distinct literary movement
- explain the influence of Romantic literature on later environmental movements
- evaluate critical debates on ecological themes in Romantic nature writing
- construct original critical arguments on literary and ecological topics
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- produce advanced academic writing on literary and ecological subjects
- The Writer's Notebook: A Prose Fiction Workshop
What you learn (6)
- apply creative writing techniques appropriate to form and genre
- adapt writing style to suit an intended audience
- redraft prose fiction to improve critical and creative quality
- reflect critically on personal creative writing practice
- conduct research to inform creative writing development
- write a reflective essay evaluating one's own creative practice
- Black Writers of the Global Nineteenth Century
What you learn (6)
- explain the literary history of anglophone Black nineteenth-century writers
- analyse how racial politics shape global nineteenth-century literature
- evaluate central debates in black studies and critical race theory
- construct original critical arguments on literary texts
- apply advanced research skills to develop independent ideas
- produce well-structured academic writing demonstrating critical thinking
- The Stuff of Poetry
What you learn (4)
- explain anglo-american, african-american and francophone poetry
- explain modernist, postwar and contemporary poetics
- evaluate debates on poetics, materiality, politics and literary form
- construct independent arguments at an advanced critical level
- Spices and Spies: Renaissance Global Travel
What you learn (7)
- analyse diverse genres of early modern travel writing
- engage critically with primary travel texts from the period
- apply textual analysis methods to Renaissance sources
- apply object-based analysis to historical artefacts
- evaluate scholarly debates on Renaissance travel and colonialism
- construct original arguments through independent research
- communicate critical ideas through advanced academic writing
- Borders Bodies Bridges: Migration and Racialisation in Modern Literature and Culture
What you learn (4)
- analyse literary and cultural depictions of migration across diverse regions
- examine how form and content interact in literary and cultural works
- evaluate critical debates on migration and racialisation in culture
- construct original critical arguments supported by independent research
- Tragedy: Theatre, Death and Mourning
What you learn (7)
- analyse dramatic texts spanning Ancient Greek to modern tragedy
- examine theatrical performance conventions across historical contexts
- explain the role of masks and gender-specific acting styles in performance
- describe the function of ritual and gesture in theatrical movement
- evaluate critical debates on the relationship between theatre and ideas of death
- construct original critical arguments supported by independent research
- produce well-structured academic writing on literary topics
- Elemental: Contemporary Indigenous Literatures in English
What you learn (8)
- analyse contemporary Indigenous literary texts from settler colonial nations
- explain the role of oral tradition in indigenous cultural expression
- analyse the impact of settler colonialism on indigenous communities
- discuss forms and significance of indigenous activism
- evaluate key debates in indigenous and postcolonial literary theory
- evaluate decolonial and ecocritical approaches to literary analysis
- construct original critical arguments on indigenous literary texts
- conduct independent research to support literary analysis
- Crafting the Past: Reimagining the Eighteenth Century
What you learn (8)
- analyse how contemporary authors creatively rework eighteenth-century texts
- analyse eighteenth-century textual and visual sources
- compare twenty-first-century revisions with their eighteenth-century originals
- evaluate key debates in Black Studies scholarship
- evaluate key debates in Atlantic World Studies scholarship
- construct an original critical argument on literary material
- conduct independent research to support literary scholarship
- produce academic writing demonstrating advanced critical skill
- Imperial Japan, 1890-1950
What you learn (7)
- identify major themes and debates in the history of imperial Japan
- describe key historical developments in imperial Japan 1890-1950
- analyse original historical sources relating to imperial Japan
- evaluate the reliability and significance of original sources
- relate primary sources to secondary historical interpretations
- demonstrate close reading skills when examining historical texts
- contribute confidently to discussion of historical debates
- Historical Fictions and Frictions: Fictionalising the Past
What you learn (4)
- describe detailed subject knowledge of the historical topic studied
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources
- evaluate historians' arguments about the topic studied
- manage independent study through seminar participation
- Popular Politics? The History of British Political Culture since 1945
What you learn (6)
- identify central themes and debates in post-1945 British political culture
- describe key developments in post-1945 British political history
- analyse primary historical sources on British political culture
- compare primary and secondary historical material
- interpret historical texts through close reading
- participate confidently in discussion of historical debates
- Joan of Arc
What you learn (7)
- identify central themes and debates concerning joan of arc
- describe key historical knowledge about joan of arc's life and context
- analyse original historical sources related to the period
- critique the reliability and perspective of primary sources
- compare primary sources with secondary historical interpretations
- apply close reading techniques to historical texts
- participate confidently in scholarly discussion of historical debates
- The French Wars of Religion
What you learn (5)
- identify major themes and debates in the french wars of religion
- describe key historical developments of the french wars of religion
- analyse original historical sources related to the period
- compare primary and secondary sources to draw historical conclusions
- discuss historical texts and debates confidently in seminar settings
- Rebellion and Revolution: Britain, 1637-1653
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in mid-17th century British history
- describe the historical events and developments of the period 1637-1653
- analyse primary historical sources from the period
- relate primary sources to secondary historical scholarship
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Race, Place and Health in Britain and its Empire, 1880-1960
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates on race, place and health in British and imperial history
- describe historical developments in race, place and health in Britain and its empire
- analyse primary historical sources related to race and health
- relate primary sources to secondary historical scholarship
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Hong Kong: Decolonisation and Development, 1945-97
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates relating to hong kong's decolonisation and development
- describe significant historical developments in hong kong between 1945 and 1997
- analyse original historical sources relating to hong kong's decolonisation
- connect primary sources with secondary historical interpretations
- discuss historical texts and debates confidently in group settings
- Black British History and Decolonisation
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in black british history and decolonisation
- explain substantive knowledge of black british history and decolonisation topics
- analyse original historical sources related to the topic
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarly interpretations
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Thomas More: Learning, Politics and Religion in England, 1500-35
What you learn (8)
- identify central themes and debates on Thomas More's era
- discuss scholarly controversies concerning the period
- describe key historical developments in early Tudor England
- analyse primary historical sources from the period
- evaluate the reliability and context of original documents
- compare primary sources with secondary scholarly interpretations
- interpret historical texts through close reading
- contribute confidently to discussions of historical debates
- Ploughing the Sea? The Spanish American Wars of Independence, 1750-1830
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in Spanish American independence history
- describe the political and social developments of the independence wars
- analyse original historical sources related to the period
- compare primary and secondary historical material
- discuss historical texts and debates with peers
- Poverty and the Welfare State in Post-War Britain
What you learn (5)
- identify key debates and themes concerning post-war poverty and welfare policy
- describe the historical development of poverty and the welfare state in post-war britain
- analyse original historical sources relating to poverty and welfare
- relate primary sources to secondary historical interpretations
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Exiled Lives: English Nuns in Catholic Europe, 1600-1800
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in the history of exiled english nuns
- describe the historical context of english convents in catholic europe
- analyse primary sources relating to exiled english nuns
- compare primary sources with secondary scholarly interpretations
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- The First Islamic Empire
What you learn (6)
- identify major themes and debates in early Islamic history
- describe key events and developments of the first Islamic empire
- analyse original historical sources relating to early Islam
- evaluate the reliability and perspective of primary sources
- compare primary and secondary accounts of the same historical events
- discuss historical texts and debates confidently in seminar settings
- Reading and Writing in Medieval England
What you learn (6)
- identify key themes and debates within the topic of study
- explain core knowledge relating to the topic studied
- analyse original medieval sources critically
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarship
- conduct close reading of medieval texts confidently
- discuss scholarly debates about medieval texts
- Prussia and the Unification of Germany, 1815-1918
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates on Prussia and German unification
- describe major events and developments in the unification of Germany
- analyse primary historical sources on German unification
- relate primary sources to secondary historical interpretations
- discuss historical texts and debates with confidence
- Mao and Maoism
What you learn (5)
- identify major themes and debates concerning Mao and Maoism
- describe key historical knowledge relating to Mao and Maoism
- analyse original historical sources on Mao and Maoism
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarship on the topic
- discuss historical texts and debates with confidence
- Revolution in the Streets: Faith, Poverty, and Religious Ferment, c.1200
What you learn (8)
- identify key themes and issues within the topic of study
- explain scholarly debates surrounding the topic
- describe the historical context and content of the topic studied
- analyse original historical sources relevant to the period
- comment critically on the content and context of primary sources
- relate primary source material to secondary scholarly interpretations
- interpret texts closely to support informed discussion
- participate confidently in discussion of historical debates
- Rome Reborn: Culture and Society c.1575-c.1655
What you learn (6)
- identify key themes and debates in early modern Roman history
- describe the culture and society of Rome c.1575-c.1655
- analyse primary historical sources from early modern Rome
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarly interpretations
- conduct close reading of historical texts with confidence
- discuss historical debates confidently in group settings
- Francis Bacon: Myth, Magic and Morals
What you learn (7)
- identify key themes and debates concerning Francis Bacon's thought
- describe core historical knowledge about Francis Bacon's life and ideas
- analyse original historical sources related to the period
- comment critically on the content of primary texts
- compare primary and secondary historical materials
- apply close reading techniques to historical texts
- participate confidently in scholarly discussion of texts and debates
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£24,500median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£20k
Median£25k
Upper quarter£29k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 245 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 24, 14, 13, 23
Half of graduates earned between £20,000 and £29,000. Five years on, the median is £30,500. 95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 55% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 15% left | 90% | 40 |
| In work or study, 15 months on25% studying | 95% | 30 |
| Professional or managerial job | 55% | 20 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £27,000 | 55 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £24,500 | 245 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £30,500 | 250 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £30,150 in fees over 3 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £27,800 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
78%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 77% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 25 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 6; lowest: 63% on question 24.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 96% |
| Question 2 | 92% |
| Question 3 | 92% |
| Question 4 | 88% |
| Question 5 | 88% |
| Question 6 | 100% |
| Question 7 | 96% |
| Question 8 | 67% |
| Question 9 | 83% |
| Question 10 | 63% |
| Question 11 | 83% |
| Question 12 | 71% |
| Question 13 | 83% |
| Question 14 | 79% |
| Question 15 | 92% |
| Question 16 | 92% |
| Question 17 | 75% |
| Question 18 | 87% |
| Question 19 | 81% |
| Question 20 | 100% |
| Question 21 | 87% |
| Question 22 | 96% |
| Question 23 | 83% |
| Question 24 | 63% |
| Question 25 | 74% |
| Question 26 | 78% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.