History and History of Art BA
AAB at A level, an A in either History or Classical Civilisation; graduates earn a median £24,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
an A in either History or Classical Civilisation · 99% of entrants came with A levels · 100% 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 either history or classical civilisation
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 either History or Classical Civilisation
Who actually got in: 99% with A levels. 4% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 255 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 | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction including at least 9 Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction including at least 9 credits in History-related units and 9 credits at Merit or higher. | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in either History or Classical Civilisation at grade A | — |
| IB | 35 points35 points, including 6 in History at Higher Level | 6 in History at Higher Level |
| Scottish Highers | BBBB | — |
| Advanced Highers | B in History plus | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: arts & humanities 90% · transversal skills 6% · language & communication 4%.
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
- 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
- Materials of Art and Architecture
What you learn (7)
- analyse visual material through close critical observation
- interpret the meaning of visual material
- describe materials and techniques used by artists and architects across periods and places
- explain how materials and techniques shape the final artwork
- describe the history of how artworks have been received by viewers
- explain how works are designed to engage viewers and consumers
- explain concepts relating to materiality in art and architecture
- Transmissions and Connections
What you learn (5)
- identify connections between artworks and buildings across different periods and regions
- analyse the cultural significance of selected art objects
- analyse the material complexity of selected art objects
- evaluate key concepts used to explain processes of cultural transmission
- identify key publications relevant to the course themes
- Art History Now
What you learn (7)
- identify key debates within art history as a discipline
- describe current scholarly issues shaping art-historical study
- locate specialist art-historical resources using appropriate tools
- apply specialist resources effectively to support art-historical study
- identify different types of art-historical writing
- evaluate the quality and arguments of art-historical texts
- present academic work using conventions appropriate to art history
Year 2 · 2 core, 43 optional · 40 credits ≈ 400 hours
- 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
- Art and Its Institutions
What you learn (7)
- describe diverse art historical practices used within and beyond heritage institutions
- identify different career pathways available to art historians and curators
- analyse how artworks function within different cultural and institutional contexts
- apply practical skills to address art-related issues inside cultural institutions
- apply practical skills to address art-related issues outside cultural institutions
- manage own work independently to complete tasks
- collaborate effectively with others as part of a team
43 optional modules
- 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
- 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
- Empire and Cultural Exchange in Asia 1500-1700
What you learn (4)
- describe key themes and events of empire and cultural exchange in asia 1500-1700
- synthesise primary and secondary historical sources into a coherent argument
- evaluate historians' differing interpretations of the topic
- manage independent study informed by seminar discussion
- 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
- 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
- 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
- The English Country House
What you learn (6)
- describe the social evolution of the English country house across four centuries
- explain key architectural changes in English country houses over time
- describe the distinctive features of eight significant country houses
- analyse the design and construction of complex historic buildings
- interpret historic interiors in relation to their original context
- interpret historic gardens and landscapes within their design tradition
- Art in the USA 1942-1975
What you learn (7)
- identify key questions raised by American art of 1942-1975
- describe the social context surrounding the artworks studied
- explain debates in art criticism during the period studied
- describe the development of artists' writing within its context
- select a suitable artwork to support a concise essay argument
- articulate a personal position on seminar topics
- locate personal opinions within relevant critical literature
- Made in Italy
What you learn (5)
- explain key historical debates on national identity formation
- evaluate critical interpretations of how national identity is defined
- describe the social context behind the works studied
- articulate a personal position on seminar discussion topics
- situate personal arguments within relevant critical literature
- From Brick into Stone: Islamic Architecture in Anatolia During the Long Thirteenth Century
What you learn (8)
- analyse monuments in detail to identify construction techniques
- explain the transition from brick to stone construction
- describe key innovations in the architectural use of glazed ceramics
- identify the diverse influences craftsmen combined into a new style
- explain how architectural patronage expressed power and authority
- identify sources contributing to a distinctive medieval regional style
- evaluate scholarly readings critically
- construct a coherent argument based on research findings
- Contemplation, Knowledge and Power: Medieval Maps
What you learn (3)
- identify key examples of medieval maps
- describe the intellectual and cultural contexts of medieval maps
- explain scholarly debates and approaches to studying medieval maps
- Art Law
What you learn (6)
- identify key legal areas relevant to the art world
- explain how general legal principles are adapted to art-related contexts
- explain the implications of classifying artworks as property
- describe how the art market operates
- explain the legal duties of museum and heritage organisations
- explain the ethical responsibilities of museum and heritage organisations
- The Arts of Italy and the Global Renaissance
What you learn (4)
- describe the arts of selected italian renaissance cities
- explain how ideas and techniques circulated across the italian peninsula
- analyse italian renaissance art and its transcultural connections
- analyse artworks within current and past scholarly debates
- Art in Renaissance Florence: Materials, Making, Agency
What you learn (3)
- identify a wide range of artworks and artefacts from Renaissance Florence
- explain how the contextual significance of artworks changed over time
- explain how materials and techniques of artmaking shaped the meaning of artworks
- Material Encounters in Northern Renaissance Art
What you learn (4)
- identify varied objects produced in northern Europe (14th-16th centuries)
- describe the historical contexts of production and use of these objects
- explain how an object's material construction relates to its intended function
- evaluate how period viewers may have engaged with artworks in different media
- The Future is Still Female: Art and Feminism since the 1970s
What you learn (6)
- identify key artistic and critical feminist practices since the 1970s
- prepare a structured oral presentation with visual illustrations
- construct a clear argument to communicate within a presentation
- lead a group discussion among peers
- describe key theoretical and art historical texts on feminist art
- analyse artworks using theoretical and historical perspectives
- Images as Knowledge
What you learn (5)
- identify key examples of early modern scientific imagery from Europe
- describe the historical range and variety of scientific images produced 1400-1700
- explain how image-making techniques reflected contemporary ideas about nature
- relate design choices in visual images to beliefs about the structure of the world
- evaluate the significance of visual representation across fields like astronomy and botany
- Painting in Eighteenth-Century Britain
What you learn (7)
- identify key painters who shaped eighteenth-century British art
- describe the contribution of major painters to the period's art world
- evaluate changing scholarly interpretations of British art history
- construct reasoned arguments engaging with art historical debates
- explain connections between art production and imperial expansion in Britain
- analyse how art theory influenced painting practice in the period
- use digital resources relevant to eighteenth-century art studies
- Three Rogue Architects
What you learn (7)
- describe the biographical and professional context of three selected architects
- identify the distinctive design approaches and works of each architect
- describe the formal and spatial features of complex buildings
- analyse the design strategies used in complex buildings
- interpret the meaning and significance of complex buildings
- explain the concept of tradition in western architecture
- explain how anti-traditional movements challenged architectural tradition
- Indo-British Art, c.1527-1947
What you learn (4)
- describe specific images and objects from the 1660-1947 period
- analyse visual and material features of selected artworks from the period
- outline the overall development of Indo-British art between 1660 and 1947
- evaluate different historiographical approaches to Indo-British art
- Camera South Asia
What you learn (6)
- describe the development of photographic practice in south asia 1837-1947
- evaluate key photographic works and practices from the period critically
- explain the cultural contexts surrounding indo-british photography
- analyse how cultural factors shaped photographic production in the period
- identify historiographical approaches used to study south asian photography
- apply appropriate methodological frameworks to analyse photographic sources
- Interwoven: Fashion and Clothing Communities in Art History (1800 - the Present)
What you learn (3)
- explain how art history and dress/textile history methodologies intersect
- identify how clothing is represented within particular cultural contexts
- analyse medium-specific challenges in representing dress and textiles visually
- What is Pop Art?
What you learn (7)
- explain the critical writing that legitimised pop art as fine art
- describe how pop art was interpreted differently across global cultures
- explain how the art market and museums shaped the pop art movement
- analyse how pop art changed notions of taste in art criticism and collecting
- examine the relationship between mass culture and fine art practice
- evaluate how pop art's reception challenged ideas of gender, race, sexuality and class
- apply pop art concepts to analyse contemporary contexts
- Journeys, Histories, and Methods of Display
What you learn (8)
- describe the history of exhibition-making across different cultural contexts
- explain how diverse art institutions have developed historically
- describe the historical links between collecting, archiving and curating
- explain an expanded definition of the term exhibition
- critique established assumptions within the canon of art history
- analyse scholarly texts through critical interpretation
- conduct bibliographical research using academic sources
- apply practical research techniques to curatorial projects
- Art and Politics: Global Conceptualisms
What you learn (6)
- explain the relationship between art and politics in the 20th century
- identify different art-historical methods used to study global conceptual art
- analyse artworks and related theoretical texts from the period
- present art-historical arguments in written essay form
- deliver an oral presentation on art-historical topics
- participate in class debates on art and politics topics
Year 3 · 0 core, 48 optional
48 optional modules
- History Dissertation plus one History Special Subject and two History of Art option modules.
What you learn (8)
- design a large-scale independent research project
- manage a research project through to completion
- investigate a chosen research topic in depth
- explain findings on a specific research topic at length
- analyse primary source material through extended research
- apply research skills to original historical material
- relate own research findings to existing scholarly debates
- evaluate own conclusions against other historians' interpretations
- Commemorations
What you learn (7)
- identify key methods used in comparative historical analysis
- describe challenges encountered when comparing historical cases
- explain various facets of the studied historical topic
- apply comparative approaches to analyse a historical topic
- evaluate the usefulness of comparative approaches to a historical topic
- discuss comparative historical issues in academic dialogue
- write analytically about comparative historical topics
- Travel
What you learn (7)
- identify key methods used in comparative historical analysis
- explain difficulties encountered when comparing historical cases
- describe multiple dimensions of the chosen historical topic
- apply comparative frameworks to analyse a historical topic
- evaluate the usefulness of comparative approaches to a topic
- construct written arguments about comparative historical themes
- discuss comparative historical issues orally with peers
- Animals
What you learn (7)
- identify key methods used in comparative historical analysis
- explain difficulties encountered when comparing historical cases
- describe multiple dimensions of the chosen historical topic
- apply comparative approaches to analyse a historical topic
- evaluate the effectiveness of comparative approaches to a topic
- discuss comparative historical arguments in group settings
- write academic analyses of comparative historical topics
- Beauty
What you learn (7)
- identify key methods used in comparative history
- explain challenges involved in comparing historical contexts
- describe various aspects of the history of beauty
- apply comparative approaches to the study of beauty
- evaluate the usefulness of comparative approaches to historical topics
- discuss comparative historical arguments in seminar settings
- compose written analysis on comparative historical topics
- Violence
What you learn (7)
- identify key approaches used in comparative history
- explain challenges encountered when comparing historical cases
- describe multiple aspects of the studied historical theme
- apply comparative approaches to a historical topic
- evaluate the usefulness of comparative approaches to a topic
- discuss comparative historical issues in seminar settings
- write academic essays on comparative historical topics
- Popular Politics? The History of British Political Culture since 1945
What you learn (6)
- identify key themes and debates in British political culture since 1945
- describe the historical development of post-war British political culture
- analyse original historical sources relating to post-war British politics
- relate primary sources to relevant secondary historical scholarship
- interpret historical texts through close reading techniques
- participate confidently in scholarly discussion of historical debates
- Communisms
What you learn (7)
- identify key methodologies used in comparative history
- explain the difficulties involved in comparing historical cases
- describe multiple dimensions of communism as a historical theme
- apply comparative approaches to the study of communism
- evaluate the usefulness of comparative approaches to this topic
- discuss comparative history through structured argument
- compose written analysis on comparative historical themes
- Empires
What you learn (7)
- identify key methods used in comparative historical analysis
- describe common challenges encountered when comparing historical cases
- explain various aspects of the empires studied during the module
- apply comparative approaches to analyse empires
- evaluate the usefulness of comparative approaches for studying empires
- discuss comparative historical arguments in seminar settings
- compose written analysis on comparative historical topics
- Imperial Japan, 1890-1950
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in imperial japanese history
- describe major historical developments in imperial japan 1890-1950
- analyse original historical sources on imperial japan
- compare primary and secondary accounts of historical events
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Joan of Arc
What you learn (7)
- identify key themes and debates concerning joan of arc
- describe the historical context and significance of the topic studied
- analyse original historical sources related to the topic
- evaluate the reliability and perspective of original sources
- relate primary sources to relevant secondary scholarship
- apply close reading techniques to historical texts
- participate confidently in discussion of historical debates
- The French Wars of Religion
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in the french wars of religion
- describe historical knowledge of the french wars of religion
- analyse original historical sources
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarship
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Race, Place and Health in Britain and its Empire, 1880-1960
What you learn (3)
- analyse original historical sources relating to race, place and health
- relate primary sources to secondary historical scholarship on the topic
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Hong Kong: Decolonisation and Development, 1945-97
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in Hong Kong's decolonisation history
- describe the historical development of Hong Kong from 1945 to 1997
- analyse primary historical sources on Hong Kong's development
- relate primary sources to secondary historical interpretations
- discuss historical texts and debates through close reading
- Black British History and Decolonisation
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in Black British history and decolonisation
- describe core concepts and content relating to black British history and decolonisation
- analyse original historical sources relating to black British history
- 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 (6)
- identify key themes and debates on Thomas More's era
- describe the political and religious context of early Tudor England
- analyse original historical sources on the period
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarly interpretations
- interpret historical texts through close reading
- discuss historical debates confidently with peers
- Ploughing the Sea? The Spanish American Wars of Independence, 1750-1830
What you learn (5)
- identify major themes and debates in Spanish American independence history
- describe key historical events and developments of the period 1750-1830
- analyse original historical sources related to the period
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarly interpretations
- discuss historical texts and debates confidently in seminar settings
- Poverty and the Welfare State in Post-War Britain
What you learn (5)
- identify key themes and debates in post-war British welfare history
- describe the historical development of poverty and welfare policy
- analyse original historical sources on 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 (7)
- identify key themes and debates in the history of exiled English nuns
- describe the historical context of English nuns in Catholic Europe
- analyse primary historical sources related to exiled religious communities
- evaluate the reliability and perspective of original historical documents
- compare primary sources with secondary scholarly interpretations
- interpret historical texts through close reading techniques
- participate confidently in scholarly discussion of historical debates
- Reading and Writing in Medieval England
What you learn (4)
- explain key themes and debates in a studied historical topic
- analyse original historical sources
- compare primary and secondary historical material
- discuss historical texts and debates with confidence
- Prussia and the Unification of Germany, 1815-1918
What you learn (6)
- identify central themes and historiographical debates on Prussian and German unification
- describe key events and developments in the unification of Germany under Prussia
- analyse original historical sources relating to Prussia and German unification
- evaluate the reliability and significance of primary historical sources
- compare primary sources with secondary historical interpretations
- discuss historical texts and scholarly debates with confidence
- Mao and Maoism
What you learn (5)
- identify major themes and debates concerning Mao and Maoism
- explain key historical knowledge about Mao and Maoism
- analyse primary historical sources on Mao and Maoism
- compare primary and secondary historical material
- discuss historical texts and debates with confidence
- Revolution in the Streets: Faith, Poverty, & Religious Ferment, c.1200
What you learn (6)
- identify central themes and debates within the historical topic
- describe key historical developments relating to medieval religious movements
- analyse primary historical sources to draw historical conclusions
- compare primary sources with secondary scholarship to assess interpretations
- conduct close critical reading of historical texts
- participate confidently in scholarly discussion of historical debates
- Francis Bacon: Myth, Magic and Morals
What you learn (7)
- identify key themes and debates relating to francis bacon studies
- describe the historical context and subject matter of the topic
- analyse original historical sources related to the period
- comment critically on the content of original historical sources
- compare primary sources with secondary scholarly interpretations
- apply close reading techniques to historical texts
- participate confidently in discussion of historical debates
- Rome Reborn: Culture and Society c.1575-c.1655
What you learn (7)
- identify key themes and debates in early modern Roman culture and society
- describe the historical context and content of the period studied
- analyse primary historical sources to draw conclusions about the period
- comment critically on the content and significance of original documents
- relate primary sources to secondary scholarly interpretations
- interpret historical texts through close reading
- discuss historical debates confidently with peers
- History of Art Dissertation plus either: Two History of Art option modules One History of Art option module and one Comparative History module, OR an elective module .
What you learn (6)
- identify a suitable range of visual and textual sources
- engage critically with selected visual and textual sources
- explain relevant contextual materials related to the research topic
- apply relevant critical approaches to the research topic
- formulate independent arguments on the chosen research topic
- produce a dissertation demonstrating advanced research and writing skills
- Art Law
What you learn (8)
- identify key legal areas relevant to the art world
- explain how general legal principles are adapted to art-related situations
- explain the legal implications of treating artworks as property
- describe how the art market operates
- explain the legal duties of museum and heritage organisations
- discuss the ethical responsibilities of museum and heritage organisations
- conduct independent research to locate new source material
- evaluate the credibility and relevance of newly found sources
- The Arts of Italy and the Global Renaissance
What you learn (6)
- describe the artistic production of key Renaissance cities in Italy
- explain how ideas, materials and techniques circulated across and beyond Italy
- explain the transcultural connections of Italian Renaissance art
- analyse artworks in relation to historical and current scholarly debates
- identify new primary source material through independent research
- evaluate critically the reliability and relevance of newly identified sources
- Contemplation, Knowledge and Power: Medieval Maps
What you learn (8)
- identify key examples of medieval maps
- describe the distinctive features of major medieval maps
- describe the intellectual context surrounding medieval maps
- explain the cultural context shaping medieval cartography
- explain scholarly debates concerning medieval cartography
- evaluate different approaches used to study medieval maps
- identify new primary source material through independent research
- critically evaluate newly identified source material
- Art in Renaissance Florence: Materials, Making, Agency
What you learn (8)
- identify a wide range of artworks and artefacts from Renaissance Florence
- explain the influence of works from within and outside the Italian peninsula
- explain how contextual factors shaping artworks changed over time
- explain how materials and techniques shaped the meaning of artworks
- analyse artworks with reference to viewing contexts and audiences
- apply period-specific art theory and language to interpret artworks
- situate Renaissance art within past and current scholarly debates
- evaluate the reliability and significance of newly found sources
- Material Encounters in Northern Renaissance Art
What you learn (6)
- identify a range of northern european objects from the late medieval to renaissance period
- describe the historical contexts in which these objects were produced and used
- explain how an object's materials and design relate to its intended function
- evaluate how period viewers might have engaged with artworks in different media
- locate new primary or secondary sources through independent research
- critically appraise the value and reliability of identified sources
- The Future is Still Female: Art and Feminism since the 1970s
What you learn (6)
- identify a range of feminist artistic and critical practices
- structure a coherent illustrated oral presentation on an argument
- lead a peer group discussion
- describe key theoretical and art historical texts on feminism
- analyse artworks from theoretical and historical perspectives
- evaluate new source material gathered through independent research
- Images as Knowledge
What you learn (3)
- identify key scientific images produced in europe c.1400-1700
- explain how image-making techniques reflected contemporary ideas of material structure
- evaluate newly identified source material through independent research
- Made in Italy
What you learn (6)
- explain key historical debates on national identity formation
- compare critical interpretations of how national identity is designated
- describe the social context underlying the studied works
- articulate a personal position on seminar topics
- situate personal opinions within relevant critical literature
- evaluate critically the reliability of newly found sources
- Painting in Eighteenth-Century Britain
What you learn (6)
- identify key painters who shaped eighteenth-century British art
- critique developments in the historiography of British art
- explain the relationship between art and empire in eighteenth-century Britain
- analyse the relationship between art theory and artistic practice in the period
- use digital resources designed for eighteenth-century studies
- evaluate the reliability and relevance of new source material
- Three Rogue Architects
What you learn (6)
- describe the biographies and works of three selected architects
- describe the formal and structural features of complex buildings
- analyse the design and construction of complex buildings
- interpret the meaning and significance of complex buildings
- explain the concepts of tradition and anti-tradition in western architecture
- evaluate the credibility and relevance of new source material
- The English Country House
What you learn (4)
- describe eight key examples of english country houses in detail
- analyse complex buildings including their historic interiors
- interpret historic gardens and landscapes
- evaluate critically the reliability of new source material
- What is Pop Art?
What you learn (8)
- explain the critical writings that legitimised pop art as art
- describe how pop art was interpreted differently across global cultures
- explain the roles of the art market and museums in shaping pop art
- analyse how pop art transformed notions of taste in criticism and display
- analyse the intersection between mass culture and fine art practice
- evaluate how pop art's reception challenged ideas of gender, race and class
- apply pop art concepts to analyse other contemporary art contexts
- evaluate newly identified source material critically
- Camera South Asia
What you learn (7)
- describe the development of photographic practice in South Asia under colonial rule
- evaluate critically the practices of photography in South Asia between 1837 and 1947
- explain the cultural context surrounding Indo-British photography
- evaluate critically how cultural factors shaped Indo-British photographic practice
- describe historiographical approaches used in studying South Asian photography
- critique methodological approaches applied to South Asian photography studies
- evaluate critically newly identified source material
- Interwoven: Fashion and Clothing Communities in Art History (1800 - the Present)
What you learn (4)
- explain how art history and dress/textile history methodologies intersect
- describe cultural practices of making, marketing and wearing clothing
- analyse medium-specific challenges in representing dress and textiles
- evaluate the critical value of newly identified source material
- Art in the USA 1942-1975
What you learn (9)
- identify key questions raised by american art of the period 1942-1975
- describe the social context surrounding american art production in this era
- explain key debates in art criticism from the period
- describe how artists' writing developed within this critical context
- select a suitable artwork to support a focused essay argument
- compose clear concise written analysis of complex ideas
- articulate a personal viewpoint on seminar topics
- situate personal opinions within relevant critical literature
- evaluate the critical value of newly identified sources
- Art and Politics: Global Conceptualisms
What you learn (7)
- explain relationships between art and politics in the 20th century
- describe different art-historical methods used to analyse global conceptual art
- analyse artworks and related theoretical texts from the period
- produce essays that demonstrate art-historical analysis skills
- deliver an oral presentation on art-historical topics
- participate in class debates on art and politics topics
- critically evaluate newly identified source material
- From Brick into Stone: Islamic Architecture in Anatolia During the Long Thirteenth Century
What you learn (8)
- analyse monuments in detail to infer craftsmen's construction methods
- explain the transition from brick to stone construction
- identify the diverse sources craftsmen used to create a new aesthetic
- explain how architectural patronage projected power and authority
- identify the diverse influences shaping a regional medieval style
- evaluate scholarly readings critically
- construct a coherent argument based on research findings
- evaluate new source material identified through independent research
“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£19k
Median£25k
Upper quarter£31k
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 445 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 12, 24, 13, 22
Half of graduates earned between £19,000 and £30,500. Five years on, the median is £30,000. 89% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 48% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 10% left | 100% | 10 |
| In work or study, 15 months on13% studying | 89% | 180 |
| Professional or managerial job | 48% | 110 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £27,500 | 60 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £24,500 | 445 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £30,000 | 475 |
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 2024-26
What do students say?
80%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 91% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 10 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 2; lowest: 50% on question 25.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 90% |
| Question 2 | 100% |
| Question 3 | 100% |
| Question 4 | 100% |
| Question 5 | 100% |
| Question 6 | 90% |
| Question 7 | 80% |
| Question 8 | 90% |
| Question 9 | 90% |
| Question 10 | 100% |
| Question 11 | 90% |
| Question 12 | 90% |
| Question 13 | 100% |
| Question 14 | 70% |
| Question 15 | 100% |
| Question 16 | 90% |
| Question 17 | 80% |
| Question 18 | 89% |
| Question 19 | 100% |
| Question 20 | 100% |
| Question 21 | 100% |
| Question 22 | 90% |
| Question 23 | 100% |
| Question 24 | 78% |
| Question 25 | 50% |
| Question 26 | 80% |
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.