Overview

History offers a genuine window into the forces that have shaped economies, societies, cultures and power throughout time, from the medieval world through to the present day. The BA (Hons) History at the University of York moves from a broad, global introduction toward genuinely specialised study, letting students tailor their degree across geographic, cultural and thematic boundaries. Teaching draws on research ranked third in the UK for impact, with direct access to the Borthwick Institute for Archives and other major historical collections held in the city. The course suits students who want real flexibility to follow their own historical interests, building toward an 8,000-word dissertation supported by consistently small-group teaching.

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What You'll Learn

• Political, social and economic history across the world, alongside core skills in argument and analysis

• An independent guided study through a first-year Historical Project of your choosing

• Historical thinking and how the past is communicated to audiences beyond academia

• A wide range of second-year option modules, from empire and cultural exchange to gender and revolution

• Public history, working on a real brief for an external organisation

• Special Subject seminars exploring a historical process or problem in depth

• Comparative history, tracing themes such as violence, empire or commemoration across time and place

• An 8,000-word dissertation on a topic of your own choosing

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate a broad and deep understanding of historical scholarship, drawing on a sophisticated appreciation of different approaches to interpreting the past. They will be equipped to evaluate arguments critically, assess the value of different forms of evidence, and make comparisons and connections between different periods, places and societies. Through highly developed research skills and an extended dissertation, students will construct meaningful research questions and convey original, persuasive arguments with clarity and precision. Graduates will leave with strong critical thinking, research and communication skills, well suited to careers in education, law, politics, media, business and public service.