Designing statements of purpose and Programme Learning Outcomes

At York, we are proud to be at the forefront of archaeological research and innovative teaching, employing a wide range of teaching methods and assessments.

The BSc in Bioarchaeology draws upon our staff expertise in BioArCh, a leading laboratory facility for the study of ancient biological materials.

The degree reflects the multidisciplinary nature of our subject, incorporating aspects of the humanities, sciences and social sciences, our range of expertise truly covers the whole of the human past from the very beginnings of prehistory to contemporary archaeology.

This degree programme provides students with a range of highly transferable skills required by graduates for future employment both within and outside an academic setting and providing skills to allow the potential for further study in biological sciences at Masters level.

Our graduates have gone into careers in diverse areas such as archaeology and heritage, laboratory technician work, law, local government planning, chartered surveying and land management, accountancy and financial services, teaching and the police and civil service.

As well as engaging with key themes and debates in archaeology, students are trained in the skills of data generation and analysis; in the design and execution of both independent and team projects; and in the presentation of ideas to public and professional audiences through written, visual, and oral forms of presentation, using a range of digital applications.

The city of York itself has a rich heritage and we have strong links with historic museums, visitor attractions, archaeological resources and professional expertise.

A variety of hands-on practical based experience is offered, including participation in field-based archaeological excavation within the Yorkshire region in addition to a choice of wide ranging specialised skills relevant for bioarchaeology as a sub-discipline including the options of laboratory work with biomolecules or analysis of animal and human bones.

Our hallmark is small group teaching with approachable, friendly staff which generates our strong sense of community.

(313 words)

Engineering has revolutionised life in the last few decades, and continues to push the boundaries of the physical world to produce faster, more powerful and more cost-effective technologies driving advances in transport, healthcare, smart homes, entertainment, and agriculture.

This exciting but challenging programme covers electrical, electronic, mechanical and mechatronic engineering in the context of a wider engineering education.

Distinctive features include group engineering design and project work at every stage, working on real-world examples with societal impact.

The programme comprises carefully designed modules to progress you from fundamental engineering skills through system design and analysis to applications and research, with simultaneous development of your professional skills.

You will develop a sound understanding and ability to contribute creatively to engineering issues, with a wealth of practical experience in creating, designing, implementing and operating engineering systems.

You will master the use of design, fabrication, measurement and testing equipment.

This programme will prepare you for the workplace, possessing the technical and professional skills for careers in engineering in general.

As a graduate of this programme you will be highly competent and equipped with the tools and skills to engage deeply and actively with these important technical areas.

(194 words)

The BA in the Business of the Creative Industries is a unique programme at undergraduate level.

Its primary purpose is to inspire, develop and equip future leaders, executives, managers and administrators within the creative sector. It will therefore provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to develop careers in the creative industries, notably entrepreneurial, business, management and administrative roles.

These industries contribute over £100 billion annually to the UK economy and have been explicitly recognised by the Government as a vitally important part of Britain's economic future and a key component in its industrial strategy.

But they are also global industries involving international partnerships and world wide markets.

At the same time these industries have identified areas of significant skills shortages in the business-related areas.

This programme is a direct response to that need. Its core is therefore built around an in-depth consideration of the organisation and operation of certain high profile creative industries including film, television, theatre, interactive games and app design and to an extent - music.

Within these industries the key institutions, technologies, business processes, products, markets, regulatory frameworks and legal issues that underpin the creation, distribution, sales and marketing of content will be explored.

Examination of these will be done in a developmental and structured way across the three years of the programme, beginning with broad concepts and examples moving towards specific elements and the consideration of individual case studies of creative businesses.

Throughout, the importance of audience-focussed creativity, entrepreneurial leadership, strategic planning, and effective management and administration of projects will be emphasised and embedded in the core modules.

The programme will also draw extensively on modules from the existing UG programmes in Theatre, Film and Television and Interactive Media to provide media specific knowledge, practical skills and understanding and to embed certain overarching concepts such as those of storytelling and creativity, production processes, content analysis and the centrality of digital technologies.

(317 words)

Philosophers investigate fundamental questions about reality, experience, thought, and value.

Studying philosophy involves getting to grips with deep and difficult problems and trying to find answers, engaging constructively with the ideas of others and developing your own.

It combines imagination and creativity (in coming up with potential solutions) with sharp critical reasoning (in evaluating the options through systematic logical argument).

Philosophy is a distinctive discipline which subjects fundamental ideas and principles to critical scrutiny and carefully maps out the possible views on particular issues with care and precision.

Over the course of the programme you'll grow intellectually and develop skills in reasoning, creative problem solving, and communication that have wide applicability outside the discipline.

The department offers a wide selection of modules covering topics from ethics to metaphysics, Aristotle to Nietzsche, philosophy of art to logic, philosophy of Christianity to philosophy of Science. (Specific module selection will vary from year to year.)

Our academic staff are committed to teaching: friendly and open, enthusiastic about discussing philosophy with students, and constantly exploring new ways to enrich the learning experience.

Staff are active in research-developing new ideas and presenting them in journal articles and books-and their engagement with cutting-edge philosophical debates brings richness and excitement to lectures and seminars.

The programme is designed to introduce you to a wide range of debates and approaches and develop your skills and abilities step by step, supporting you as you face increasingly difficult intellectual challenges.

In your first year, you'll sample the main areas of philosophy and work on key skills: reading and reflecting on texts that address fascinating questions and mind-stretching puzzles; discussing ideas and laying out arguments; and developing your writing so you can present ideas and arguments clearly and accurately in useful ways.

In your second year, you'll develop breadth of knowledge and understanding in a number of key areas of philosophy, building up a stock of ideas and approaches you can apply to new problems, and you'll do more advanced work on writing, learning how to structure extended, in-depth discussions of difficult problems.

You'll also have an opportunity to work with a group of students to prepare a podcast tackling a contemporary issue from a philosophical perspective.

In your third year, you'll take research-led modules, working alongside staff as they work on new ideas and try to tackle cutting-edge questions, and do your own independent work, investigating an issue or issues that fascinate you.

Completing the programme successfully will equip you with a powerful range of skills and abilities, putting you in a position to think in a creative and systematic way about new problems, and communicate your ideas clearly and forcefully; it will also enrich your thinking and develop your sense of curiosity and wonder at the world and our place in it.

(463 words)

It has never been so important to study international relations.

In this exciting new degree course you'll explore how world politics is being challenged and transformed by issues such as conflict, inequality, terrorism, pandemics and environmental change.

You'll question how the relations between states, international organisations, transnational corporations and civil society are being affected by important power shifts at the global level.

You'll analyse the meaning of ideas like justice and human rights; investigate the effects of events like 9/11, the war in Iraq, the Arab Spring, and the refugee crisis; and explore how emerging powers like China and India increasingly shape world politics.

Our innovative research-led approach, and in particular the breadth and depth of option modules at the research frontier, make this degree unique.

We pride ourselves on the world-leading quality of our teaching.

You will be working alongside leading international experts engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as international security, nuclear politics, post-war reconstruction, environmentalism, global health and migration.

In your first year, you will gain a broad understanding of the core theoretical and practical issues in international relations.

In subsequent years, you can tailor your degree to your own interests, choosing from a wide breadth of optional modules.

You also have the opportunity of completing a placement of up to a year in a political, non-governmental or business organisation, to then return and complete the final (Stage 3) year at York, as part of a four-year degree.

You will have the opportunity to decide if you want to take a placement option during your first year.

Whichever degree options you take, you'll gain the knowledge and the practical skills to play your part in tackling some of the world's most important problems.

You will also be prepared for a variety of different careers, including government, the civil service, research and policy-making, international organisations and NGOs, business and the financial sector.

We foster and promote values of tolerance, sustainability and inclusion.

We will help you fulfil your potential to become a global citizen.

(337 words)

The LLM in Art Law is a unique collaborative and cross-disciplinary programme which will provide you with a deep understanding of the complex legal, artistic, social and ethical problems raised by the global trade in art, which was estimated at over $45 billion in 2017 (TEFAF Art Market Report 2017).

Art Law is an exciting and fast-developing area of commercial, legal and academic research significance and the LLM in Art Law will provide you with opportunities to develop valuable skills used by those working in the art world, whether in such diverse areas as: private client legal practice, fine art insurance, the not-for-profit sector, galleries, museums or cultural heritage.

Exceptionally, the programme is co-taught by academic specialists from both the research-active Department of History of Art and York Law School, thus providing you with a unique integrated and cross-disciplinary learning environment in which to explore legal, practical, commercial, ethical and financial issues arising in the art world, as well as their wider context and implications.

The LLM in Art Law is innovative in using a variety of teaching methods including problem-based learning (PBL) which will provide you with opportunities to work collaboratively in a student law firm, and individually, on a variety of real-life simulations.

These simulations provide you with exposure to the multi-faceted nature of art law disputes and will encourage you to develop and apply a broad range of legal skills including: research; document and case analysis; problem solving, negotiation and mediation; and advocacy.

Additionally, you will have opportunities to develop your presentation and oral skills in debates and reading group sessions.

You will undertake a specific History of Art module (chosen from a range of options) to gain subject-specific knowledge and exposure to this discipline, as well as inter-disciplinary insights.

Guest speakers drawn from the legal and art history worlds will lead masterclass sessions, and the opportunities provided by in-depth discussions with experts during the course field trip, will enhance your know-how and networks.

Thus, graduates of the Art Law LLM will have a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of the global trade in art.

(349 words)

We need to reduce the dependency on old technologies and industries that are harmful to ourselves and the health of the planet.

How can biologists contribute solutions to this global problem?

Biotechnology offers innovative and more efficient approaches to produce high-value products for health, food and fuel from the application of natural, modified or synthetic biological resources to industry.

Introduced in 2016, this programme draws upon the excellence in research and teaching in the Department of Biology, and provides students the opportunity to study the latest research in a supportive learning environment.

On completion of your Masters programme, you will be part of the next generation of biotechnologists having developed the necessary skills in critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis and team-working.

You will be able to effectively use these skills, along with your excellent practical ability in new technologies such as modern recombinant DNA techniques, fermentation and bioreactor technology to develop new industrial products and solutions that address 21st century global challenges in areas of food security, climate change, medicine and agriculture.

Consistently ranked as one of the best departments in the UK, we have an outstanding global reputation underpinned by our research and facilities.

In the laboratory, you will gain experience of experimental design and execution within a group project before undertaking an extended independent research project.

The written, oral and graphical presentation of scientific data and ideas will be integral to the assessment of both projects.

You will also be provided with training in statistics, quantitative biology and programming, which we consider to be key skills for the modern researcher.

Projects will take place in a research facility such as the world-renowned Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, which has a strong collaboration with the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC), a not-for-profit company, based at the University of York.

All this makes York one of the best places to study Biotechnology.

(312 words)

The MA in Medieval Studies is a degree that offers you a truly interdisciplinary experience, with the opportunity to study in one of the longest established centres for the study of Middle Ages in the world.

The degree will introduce you to new disciplines that complement your existing expertise, offering you teaching from leading specialists in the early, high and later Middle Ages from the departments of Archaeology, English, History, and History of Art.

Through the MA, you will be able to bring together research questions and sources from different disciplines to create a genuinely interdisciplinary experience.

Through our newly launched Medieval Islamic Cultures pathway, students are also able to specialise in the area of the Islamic medieval world by taking a selection of relevant courses within our annual module offerings.

This is accompanied by extensive provision of skills training, with options available in Latin, palaeography and diplomatic, and medieval vernacular languages.

By encountering a wide range of evidence and approaches, you will be part of a lively interdisciplinary scholarly environment including seminars, reading groups, research lectures and field trips, enabling you to develop key research skills and the ability to explore and solve problems independently.

The flexibility of the programme allows you to build competence in at least three of the disciplines that make up the specialisms of the Centre, leading to the production of supervised essays and a dissertation at the forefront of scholarly research.

Being in York gives you access to some of the UK's most important medieval records held in the York Minster Library and Archives, the Borthwick Institute for Archives, the City Archives, and a rich source of archaeological material in York and Yorkshire's museums and galleries, built environment, and landscape.

By undertaking the MA in Medieval Studies you will develop interdisciplinary skills which will prepare you for further postgraduate study, and to seek employment in a wide range of professions, including archives, libraries, museums, galleries, publishing companies, the heritage sector, and the media.

(328 words)