Program Overview

Introduction to the History/Politics Program

The University of York offers a comprehensive History/Politics program, designed to provide students with a deep understanding of human society and its evolution over time. This interdisciplinary course combines the study of history and politics, enabling students to analyze the forces that have shaped societies and cultures in the past.

Program Overview

The History/Politics program at the University of York is a three-year full-time course, with an optional placement year. The program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of historical scholarship and a sophisticated appreciation of the origin and use of different approaches to interpreting the past.

Year 1

In the first year, students will examine the broader concepts of how history has shaped the modern world. The required Politics modules will focus on contemporary politics with an emphasis on the state. Core modules include:

• Political Communities in World History
• Political Analysis
• Arguments and Analysis
• Knowledge and Belief in World History OR Evidence and Methods

Year 2

In the second year, students will prepare for their final dissertation and reports. They will begin to design their project and learn how to use the tools needed to complete it. Core modules include:

• Historical Thinking
• Theories of the State

Year 3

In the final year, students will choose whether to focus their dissertation on either History or Politics disciplines. They will also take one History Special Subject, plus either:

• History Dissertation plus two Politics option modules
• Politics Dissertation plus either:
  • Two Politics option modules
  • One Politics option module and one Comparative History module
  • An elective module

Fees and Funding

The fees and funding information for the History/Politics program is as follows:

• Annual tuition fees:
  • UK (home): £9,535
  • International and EU: £26,900
• Fees for subsequent years:
  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

Teaching and Assessment

The teaching format for the History/Politics program includes lectures, seminars, and one-on-one meetings with dissertation advisors. Assessments range from research essays to collaborative projects to open-note examinations.

Careers and Skills

A degree in History and Politics will prepare students for a wide range of careers, including law, social work, justice, local and national government, public administration and NGOs, finance and accountancy, teaching and academia. Students will gain invaluable transferable skills, such as critical thinking, excellent written and verbal communication skills, time management and self-organisation, independent research skills, and the ability to work with a variety of media.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the History/Politics program are as follows:

• Qualification:
  • A levels: AAA including an A in either History or Classical Civilisation
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 39 credits at Distinction including at least 9 credits in History-related units and 6 credits at Merit or higher.
  • BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDD with an additional A Levels or equivalent qualification in History or Classical Civilisation at grade A
  • European Baccalaureate: 85% overall, including 85% in History
  • International Baccalaureate: 36 points including 6 in History at Higher Level
  • T levels: We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in History has been taken.
  • Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers: Advanced Highers - A in History plus Scottish Highers - BBBB
  • International foundation programme: Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
  • Other international qualifications: Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative Offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify students for an alternative offer:

• Widening participation: BBB including either History or Classical Civilisation
• Contextual offer: ABB including an A in either History or Classical Civilisation
• EPQ: If students achieve A or higher in the EPQ, they may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

English Language

If English is not the student's first language, they may need to provide evidence of their English language ability. The University of York accepts the following qualifications:

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
• IB English: A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level)
• Cambridge CEFR: 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
• Oxford ELLT: 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
• Oxford Test of English Advanced: 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
• Duolingo: Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
• GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language): Grade C / Grade 4
• LanguageCert SELT: B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
• LanguageCert Academic: B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
• Kaplan Test of English Language: 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
• Skills for English: B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
• PTE Academic: 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
• TOEFL: 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
• Trinity ISE III: Merit in all components
• Other English language qualifications: The University of York also accepts other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.