English and Philosophy BA
AAB at A level, an A in English Literature; graduates earn a median £24,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
an A in English Literature · 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?
AABtypical A level offer; aab including an a in english literature (english language and literature is also acceptable)
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: ABC, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1an A in English Literature
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 20 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 | 36 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related un36 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related units, and 9 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in English Literature at grade A | — |
| IB | 35 points35 points including 6 in English Literature at Higher Level (Higher Level English Language and Literature is also acceptable) | 6 in English Literature at Higher Level |
| Scottish Highers | BBBB | — |
| Advanced Highers | B in English Literature | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: arts & humanities 83% · transversal skills 9% · language & communication 8%.
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
- Ethics
What you learn (6)
- describe the main debates in meta-ethics
- explain the principal positions held within meta-ethics
- describe the content of various normative ethical principles
- compare contrasting normative ethical principles
- identify major ethical challenges facing contemporary society
- apply ethical theories to contemporary moral challenges
- Philosophical Analysis
What you learn (4)
- identify basic forms of argument such as deduction, induction and abduction
- apply logical tools such as contraposition to philosophical arguments
- construct clear and charitable interpretations of philosophical texts
- explain the different aims philosophical texts or arguments may pursue
- Metaphysics and Humans
What you learn (8)
- communicate metaphysical ideas in clear accessible language
- generate alternative solutions to metaphysical problems using course content
- present differing viewpoints on metaphysical issues open-mindedly
- construct arguments supporting alternative views on metaphysical problems
- critique weaknesses and potential improvements in philosophical arguments
- justify a personal position on a metaphysical problem with argument
- assess own work against departmental marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve academic work
Year 2 · 0 core, 34 optional
34 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
- Against the Grain: 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
- 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
- Religious Ethics
What you learn (10)
- explain key problems and debates in religious ethics clearly
- formulate alternative solutions to religious ethics problems
- present alternative viewpoints with an open mind
- construct arguments supporting different ethical positions
- identify weaknesses and development points in ethical arguments
- judge the most defensible position on an ethical issue
- defend a chosen ethical position with reasoned argument
- appraise own work against assessment criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve academic work
- evaluate contemporary ethical and cultural issues critically
- Philosophy of Language
What you learn (8)
- explain key problems and debates in philosophy of language clearly
- formulate alternative solutions to philosophical problems using module content
- construct arguments supporting alternative philosophical solutions
- identify weaknesses and development points in philosophical arguments
- judge the most convincing position on a philosophical problem
- defend a chosen philosophical position with reasoned argument
- evaluate own work against departmental marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve academic work
- Metaphysics
What you learn (8)
- explain key problems and debates in metaphysics clearly
- formulate alternative solutions to metaphysical problems
- construct arguments supporting alternative metaphysical positions
- identify weaknesses and development points in a philosophical argument
- evaluate competing metaphysical views to form a reasoned judgement
- defend a chosen position on a metaphysical question
- assess own academic work against assessment criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve academic work
- Philosophy of Mind
What you learn (8)
- explain key problems and debates in philosophy of mind clearly
- formulate alternative solutions to philosophy of mind problems
- construct arguments supporting alternative philosophical positions
- identify weaknesses and potential improvements in an argument
- evaluate competing views to determine the most defensible position
- defend a chosen philosophical position with reasoned argument
- assess own work against academic marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve academic work
- Applied Ethics
What you learn (8)
- explain key problems and debates in applied ethics clearly
- formulate alternative solutions to applied ethics problems
- construct arguments supporting alternative ethical solutions
- identify weaknesses and development points in ethical arguments
- justify a personal judgement on an applied ethics problem
- evaluate own work against departmental marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve written work
- analyse contemporary social and political issues using ethical reasoning
- Philosophy of Science
What you learn (10)
- explain key problems and debates in philosophy of science
- express philosophical understanding in clear accessible language
- generate alternative solutions to philosophy of science problems
- present alternative viewpoints in an open-minded manner
- construct arguments supporting alternative philosophical solutions
- identify weaknesses and development points in philosophical arguments
- judge the most convincing position on a philosophical problem
- defend a chosen philosophical position with argument
- evaluate own work against departmental marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve own work
- Ethical Theory
What you learn (11)
- explain key problems and debates in ethical theory
- communicate ethical arguments clearly and accessibly
- generate alternative solutions to ethical problems using course materials
- present multiple viewpoints on ethical issues impartially
- construct arguments supporting alternative ethical positions
- identify weaknesses and development points in ethical arguments
- formulate a reasoned position on an ethical problem
- defend a chosen ethical position with supporting arguments
- evaluate own academic work against marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve written work
- evaluate contemporary issues using social and ethical perspectives
- Aesthetics
What you learn (7)
- communicate philosophical ideas clearly and accessibly
- generate alternative solutions to problems in philosophy of art
- present varied perspectives on aesthetic issues with open-mindedness
- construct arguments supporting alternative views in philosophy of art
- identify weaknesses and potential improvements in philosophical arguments
- evaluate competing views to determine the strongest position on an aesthetic problem
- defend a chosen philosophical position with reasoned argument
- The Limits of Reason: Kant's Theoretical and Practical Philosophy
What you learn (10)
- explain Kant's theory of a priori knowledge and the phenomena/thing-in-itself distinction
- describe Kant's account of pure and practical reason, free will and determinism
- explain Kant's concepts of the good will and the categorical imperative
- interpret primary philosophical texts in translation
- reconstruct philosophical arguments from historical source texts
- evaluate Kant's claims and arguments using secondary literature
- formulate original critiques challenging Kant's philosophical arguments
- articulate personal philosophical ideas on the module's themes
- paraphrase Kant's ideas using one's own words
- describe the significance of Kant's work within the history of philosophy
- Politics and Freedom: Anarchism and Conservatism
What you learn (5)
- describe the core beliefs of various conservative and anarchist traditions
- explain the reasoning underlying different conservative and anarchist positions
- explain the philosophical arguments that motivate conservatism and anarchism
- identify value-theory issues underlying debates on conservatism and anarchism
- articulate the central questions in debates on political authority, tradition and liberty
- Logic and Paradox
What you learn (6)
- describe a range of logical paradoxes
- evaluate proposed solutions to logical paradoxes
- apply non-classical logical systems to problems
- judge the relative merits of different non-classical logics
- discuss module topics constructively with peers
- defend a reasoned position on course topics in writing
- Knowledge and the Social Sciences
What you learn (5)
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of social research methods
- explain theories of how social reality is constructed
- justify a personal position on the extent and boundaries of social knowledge
- identify hidden conceptual and normative assumptions in social theories
- analyse the assumptions underlying social science methods and arguments
- Love, Law and Solidarity: Recognition from Rousseau to Honneth
What you learn (4)
- describe major debates and arguments in the philosophy of recognition
- evaluate the strength of arguments supporting recognition theory positions
- formulate a personal philosophical position on recognition debates
- present a reasoned philosophical argument clearly in writing or discussion
- Being and Reason: Spinoza's Metaphysics
What you learn (11)
- explain key issues in Spinoza's philosophical system
- express philosophical understanding clearly and accessibly
- formulate alternative solutions to problems in Spinoza's philosophy
- present alternative philosophical solutions with open-mindedness
- construct arguments supporting alternative solutions to philosophical problems
- identify weaknesses and development points in philosophical arguments
- judge the most convincing view on a Spinozist problem
- defend a chosen philosophical position with argument
- appraise own work against departmental marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve academic work
- interpret philosophical texts with sensitivity to cultural and historical context
- Philosophy of Religions
What you learn (8)
- communicate philosophical understanding in clear accessible language
- formulate alternative solutions to problems in philosophy of religion
- present differing viewpoints with open-mindedness using course materials
- construct arguments supporting alternative positions in philosophy of religion
- critique arguments by identifying weaknesses and areas for improvement
- justify a personal position on a philosophy of religion problem
- assess own work against departmental marking criteria
- apply feedback and reflection to improve academic work
- Philosophy of Perception
What you learn (10)
- explain key problems and debates in philosophy of perception
- communicate philosophical ideas clearly and accessibly
- generate alternative solutions to perception-related philosophical problems
- present differing perspectives on philosophical issues open-mindedly
- construct arguments supporting alternative philosophical positions
- identify weaknesses and potential improvements in philosophical arguments
- evaluate competing philosophical views to determine the most defensible one
- defend a chosen philosophical position with reasoned argument
- assess own work against academic marking criteria
- apply feedback-based strategies to improve academic work
Year 3 · 0 core, 32 optional
32 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
- Philosophy of Law (York Law School)
What you learn (17)
- explain established legal theories and concepts in philosophy of law
- apply legal principles and perspectives to philosophical problems
- critically evaluate competing legal theories and perspectives
- describe the historical development and purpose of law
- critique the relationship between law and society and other disciplines
- formulate independent arguments on legal issues in philosophy of law
- support legal arguments with critically appraised academic evidence
- apply problem-solving strategies to legal and academic problems
- evaluate proposed solutions to practical and academic legal problems
- design a research strategy appropriate to a legal question
- locate relevant and reliable legal sources and authorities
- evaluate the effectiveness of a chosen research methodology
- present legal analysis in written formats for varied audiences
- present legal analysis orally for specialist and non-specialist audiences
- describe standards of scholarly and professional legal practice
- reflect on personal learning and feedback received
- identify future learning needs based on reflection
- Contemporary Issues in Bioethics
What you learn (5)
- describe recent advances in biomedicine
- apply philosophical theory to issues in biomedicine
- critically read philosophical texts
- present written philosophical arguments
- participate in philosophical discussion
- Foundations of Maths
What you learn (7)
- explain the historical crisis in mathematical foundations
- describe the emergence of logicism, intuitionism and formalism
- describe the core claims of logicism, intuitionism and formalism
- explain debates between Platonism and anti-Platonism in mathematics
- evaluate the indispensability argument against anti-Platonism
- critically analyse complex philosophical texts
- construct and defend a reasoned philosophical argument
- Consciousness
What you learn (7)
- describe the explanatory problem posed by consciousness
- explain major theories proposed to account for consciousness
- write clearly and coherently on a chosen consciousness topic
- identify key debates relevant to a chosen consciousness topic
- analyse how arguments support or undermine opposing positions
- formulate competing philosophical positions on consciousness
- evaluate the relative merits of these positions to reach a conclusion
- Philosophy of Christianity
What you learn (6)
- explain core christian doctrines such as the trinity and incarnation
- describe differing interpretations of christian doctrines
- evaluate competing interpretations of christian doctrines against each other
- justify the most convincing interpretation of a given doctrine
- critique philosophical and theological texts from multiple perspectives
- formulate a personal reasoned position on theological debates
- German Idealism: Moral, Legal and Political Philosophy
What you learn (6)
- explain the moral, legal and political theories of key german idealist philosophers
- evaluate the arguments of german idealist philosophers on ethics and politics
- describe core concepts used in german idealist philosophy
- relate german idealist philosophy to current debates in moral and political thought
- critically analyse challenging philosophical texts
- construct and justify a personal position on complex philosophical issues
- Causation and Laws
What you learn (3)
- explain key theories of causation and natural laws
- analyse the relationship between causal laws and natural laws
- evaluate how theories of causation relate to moral responsibility
- Theories of Social Justice: Rawls and Beyond
What you learn (8)
- describe the key features of Rawls's theory of justice
- identify major scholarly responses to Rawls's theory
- compare areas of agreement and disagreement among theories of social justice
- explain what is at stake in theoretical disputes over social justice
- relate philosophical theories of social justice to real-world policy issues
- critically analyse complex texts in contemporary political philosophy
- formulate a reasoned personal position on questions of social justice
- defend a personal position on social justice using philosophical argument
- Cognitive Anomalies, Decision-Making, and Democracy
What you learn (6)
- explain research on cognitive biases affecting rational decision-making
- describe philosophical perspectives on the implications of cognitive biases
- identify ethical implications arising from cognitive effects and biases
- evaluate views on how cognitive biases affect individual and group decisions
- relate cognitive bias research to broader debates in philosophy of mind and ethics
- present philosophical arguments in both collaborative and individual written formats
- Happiness, Utility and Well-Being
What you learn (5)
- evaluate competing philosophical accounts of happiness and well-being
- articulate a personal position on the role of happiness in one's own life
- evaluate how happiness informs ethical theory and moral reasoning
- evaluate how considerations of happiness shape public policy decisions
- discuss how other academic disciplines contribute to philosophical theories of happiness
- Property and Self Ownership
What you learn (5)
- explain major theories justifying property rights and self-ownership
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of theories of property and self-ownership
- critically appraise historical and contemporary philosophical texts
- integrate ideas drawn from diverse philosophical sources and topics
- construct a reasoned written argument evaluating a key module issue
- The Nature of Time
What you learn (7)
- construct arguments supporting particular theories of time
- construct arguments opposing particular theories of time
- evaluate competing theories of time to judge their plausibility
- justify a reasoned position on the most plausible theory of time
- critically appraise contemporary philosophical literature on time
- produce well-structured philosophical arguments in writing
- participate effectively in philosophical discussion
- Buddhism as Philosophy
What you learn (8)
- describe key teachings of the Buddha
- identify major schools of Buddhism
- identify philosophical problems arising from Buddhist teachings
- assess whether analytic philosophy can resolve Buddhist philosophical problems
- evaluate proposed solutions using scripture, tradition and reason
- argue for a preferred solution or for the absence of one
- explain key philosophical concepts and views in Buddhist philosophy
- critique philosophical arguments and defend a personal position
- Experimental Philosophy: The Psychology of Philosophy
What you learn (2)
- explain the distinguishing features of the experimental philosophy approach
- communicate philosophical ideas clearly to a mixed-discipline audience
- World and Mind
What you learn (4)
- describe the Cartesian view of thought and knowledge
- explain major objections to the Cartesian account of mind
- evaluate the strength of these objections to Cartesianism
- justify a personal position on which Cartesian claims remain tenable
- Nine Artworks, Nine Philosophical Problems
What you learn (4)
- describe major topics in the philosophy of art
- explain how philosophical topics relate to specific artworks
- construct and justify a reasoned argument in an extended essay
- participate constructively in critical peer discussions on aesthetics
- Topics in Feminist Philosophy
What you learn (3)
- identify key arguments within a philosophical text
- critically analyse philosophical arguments for validity and assumptions
- present analysis of philosophical arguments in structured written or spoken form
- Rational Animals: Aristotle on Nature and Value
What you learn (4)
- critically analyse key texts by Aristotle
- explain how Aristotle's view of human nature connects to his ethics
- critically evaluate secondary scholarship on Aristotle
- construct an original interpretation of Aristotle supported by textual evidence
- AI and Human Values
What you learn (8)
- explain key philosophical concepts of meaning, understanding, value and historicity
- apply philosophical theories of value to assess delegation of human creativity to ai
- articulate potential gains and losses from replacing human effort with ai tools
- evaluate ethical challenges of ai such as value alignment and coercion
- analyse societal impacts of ai on friendship and intellectual development
- analyse a contemporary ai tool using module theoretical concepts
- evaluate the claims and actual performance of an ai tool in writing
- assess whether a specific ai tool enhances or diminishes human value
“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 13, 14, 23
Half of graduates earned between £20,000 and £29,000. Five years on, the median is £30,500. 80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 67% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 110% left | 90% | 25 |
| In work or study, 15 months on20% studying | 80% | 10 |
| Professional or managerial job | 67% | 85 |
| 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?
92%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 65% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 15 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 1; lowest: 58% on question 24.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 100% |
| Question 2 | 92% |
| Question 3 | 92% |
| Question 4 | 77% |
| Question 5 | 92% |
| Question 6 | 77% |
| Question 7 | 100% |
| Question 8 | 77% |
| Question 9 | 77% |
| Question 10 | 85% |
| Question 11 | 85% |
| Question 12 | 77% |
| Question 13 | 85% |
| Question 14 | 62% |
| Question 15 | 100% |
| Question 16 | 85% |
| Question 17 | 69% |
| Question 18 | 77% |
| Question 19 | 92% |
| Question 20 | 100% |
| Question 21 | 77% |
| Question 22 | 92% |
| Question 23 | 100% |
| Question 24 | 58% |
| Question 25 | 75% |
| Question 26 | 92% |
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.