Studying beyond your department
On many programmes at York, you have the opportunity to step outside your degree and expand your knowledge by taking a module from a different department or school. We call these ‘elective modules’.
Studying on an elective module lets you broaden your knowledge, make new academic connections and boost your employability.
You’ll need to check with your department to find out what’s available to you.
Our elective modules
There are three different types of elective modules at York:
York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) exploring sustainability
Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams to solve local, regional and global sustainability challenges. There are four undergraduate modules and one postgraduate module for you to explore. You'll be taught by academics from different departments and work in groups with students from across the University, allowing you to apply your expertise to these challenges and learn from students and staff from other disciplines.
York language electives
Language electives help you broaden your horizons and deepen your knowledge of different cultures. In a globalised and interconnected world, it can give you a competitive edge. You can choose from a wide range of language modules available at different levels of study in languages including Arabic, Chinese, Classical Latin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Medieval Latin, Russian and Spanish.
York general electives
Each year, departments and schools open up some of their modules for students outside their degree programme to take. Below, you can search modules on offer next academic year by semester, level, or department. To help you find what might be of interest, we’ve also grouped these modules under themes:
Understand the past
People and society
Health and wellbeing
Communication
Tech of the future
Social challenges, social justice
Creativity, culture and literature
Investigating nature
For all elective modules, search the full elective modules listing.
A different approach to studying
When applying or preparing for an elective module, you'll need to consider what different approaches you will need for your study skills. Your elective department might have different policies, processes and expectations. See our tips to help you to make the most out of your time in another department.
How to apply
If your department or school allows you to take elective modules, you will hear about these at the start of Semester 2 when choosing modules for the following academic year. Browse the full elective modules listing and then apply for your chosen module.
Browse the full elective modules listing
In addition to your elective module, you will need to choose a ‘backup’ module in your home department as it is not always possible to timetable electives against your other modules.
Applications open soon for 2025/26
Please note: requests for electives in the current academic year (2024/25) should be directed to the department running the module and not via the application form.
When you apply, your department and the department who runs the module you’ve selected will automatically be notified.
You are automatically approved to study York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs). However, places on the other categories of elective modules are subject to approval from both departments, space being available and timetabling.
For Semester 1, once the initial timetable has been released at the end of July, we will work on timetabling your elective module choice and you should hear by the end of August.
For Semester 2, you should hear by the start of January.
| Elective modules by department | Departmental contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeology | Programmes Administrator (UG) | archaeology-ug@york.ac.uk |
| Programmes Administrator (PG) | archaeology-pg@york.ac.uk | |
| School of Arts and Creative Technologies |
Student Support Administrator (UG) | act-ug-admin@york.ac.uk |
| Student Support Administrator (PG) | act-pg-admin@york.ac.uk | |
| Biology | Student Support Administrator | biol-student-services@york.ac.uk |
| Centre for Medieval Studies |
Student Support Administrator
|
cms-office@york.ac.uk |
| Centre for Women's Studies | Student Support Administrator | cws@york.ac.uk |
| Chemistry | Student Support Administrator | chem-ug-office@york.ac.uk |
| Computer Science | Undergraduate Administrator | cs-ug-admin@york.ac.uk |
| Economics and Related Studies | Student Services Team | econ-ug-enquiries@york.ac.uk |
| Education | Student Support Administrator | education-undergraduate-administrator@york.ac.uk |
| English and Related Literature Undergraduate modules |
Student Support Administrator | english-enquiries@york.ac.uk |
| Environment and Geography | Student Support team | environment-ugstudents@york.ac.uk |
| Health Sciences Postgraduate modules |
Student Support Administrator | dohs-pgt-support@york.ac.uk |
| History |
Student Services Team Support Administrator |
history-ug-enquiries@york.ac.uk |
| History of Art | Student Support Administrator | history-of-art@york.ac.uk |
| Language and Linguistic Science | Student Support Administrator | lls-ug-enquiries@york.ac.uk |
| Languages at York | Student Support Administrator | languages@york.ac.uk |
| York Law School | Undergraduate Programme Admin Team | law-ug-admin@york.ac.uk |
| Mathematics | Student Support Administrator | maths-enquiries@york.ac.uk |
| Philosophy | Student Support Administrator | philosophy@york.ac.uk |
| Psychology |
Student Support Administrator
|
|
| School of Physics, Engineering and Technology | Student Support Administrator | phys-ugadmin@york.ac.uk |
| School for Business and Society | Student Support Administrator | sbs-ug@york.ac.uk |
| Sociology |
Student Support Administrator |
sociology-assessments@york.ac.uk |
| York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) |
Student Support Administrator
|
esay@york.ac.uk |