Combine the expertise of two of the UK’s finest departments
Year of entry: 2025/26
QV31
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAA (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
Complete University Guide 2025
Complete University Guide 2025
in the QS World Rankings by Subject, 2024
A combined English and History course offers one of the most wide-ranging and adventurous of university degrees, tackling key aspects of human culture.
Our pioneering curriculum offers an international outlook. Our modules span the globe, encompassing over two millennia of history and literature.
You can discover more about the Department of English and Related Literature’s exciting degree programmes by watching our video.
Incredible chronological breadth and thematic scope – find out what it’s like to study History at York.
You'll benefit from our interdisciplinary research and teaching with critical thinking and transferable skills.
I love my degree as not only do I get to study a variety of interesting texts, but I also get to immerse myself in the beautiful and historic city of York.Nadia, English.
Our combined English and History degree fosters a sense of interdisciplinarity: building on the subject specific skills developed in Year 1, you’ll begin to think about the relationship between the two disciplines in the Year 2 module Texts and Histories. This innovative module invites you to bring together your understanding of historical phenomena, narrative structures, and the particularities of close textual analysis in a module co-taught by a member of staff in each department.
In Year 3, you will undertake a bridge dissertation that combines your two subjects together. Alongside this independent research project, you’ll also choose from a range of option offered by English and special subjects offered by History.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
In the first year of your degree, we’ll introduce you to the undergraduate study of English and History. Our modules will give you the skills you need to start undertaking literary and historical research, and advice on how to combine the two disciplines.
We’ll introduce you to an exciting range of texts and critical approaches in your first year to lay the foundation for your degree. You’ll develop your knowledge of literary history by studying works from the medieval, Renaissance, early modern, eighteenth-century, Romantic, Victorian, and modern periods on our Approaches to Literature modules. Reading Now will introduce you to the necessary skills for the study of literature at university level.
Your core modules in History will cover topics such as:
You will also choose one of the following:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In the second year of your degree, you’ll take our exciting bridge module Texts and Histories designed specifically for English/History students and taught by a member of staff from each department. This module is the cornerstone of your combined course programme; it will provide you with a range of critical and analytical skills that are applicable across periods, and that will highlight the possibilities offered by studying two disciplines.
You will choose from a wide range of Intermediate Option Modules and World Literature Modules in English and choose from an exciting range of History Explorations modules.
You will study 5 option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our Intermediate Option Modules allow you to deepen your understanding of the relationship between literary works and the cultural, historical, and political contexts in which they were produced.
Our World Literature Modules invite you to engage with questions of language, translation, and cultural difference in ways that equip you with important skills in linguistic analysis and description. You’ll choose from about ten options covering ancient and modern literature from around the globe. Recent offerings have included the following:
You'll choose from a range History Explorations. Examples may include:
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
In your third year you will concentrate on your bridge dissertation as well as choosing modules in both English and History.
In the third year of your degree, you will undertake a 7,000-8,000 word bridge dissertation, one of the distinctive features of the English/History degree at York. The bridge dissertation allows you to undertake a research project that brings the study of English and History together. This year-long advanced module offers you the chance to use all the research and writing skills you will have developed at York. There is also the option to undertake a bridge dissertation with a creative element.
Option modules
You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our Advanced Option Modules reflect the wide-ranging and cutting-edge research expertise of the Department and cover literature from the classical period to the twenty-first century, as well as film and creative writing. You'll typically choose from over 30 options. Recent offerings have included the following:
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £25,800 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
In English, you'll need copies of the texts set for each module. Where possible, the Department of English and Related Literature works to arrange digital copies via the University Library. Where this is not practical, you'll be instructed in advance of the start of each term about the texts and editions you'll need to purchase (whether new or second-hand). In History, you will have to pay for the cost of printing some assignments for submission as assessed work in Years 2 and 3.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
In both English and History, you’ll learn through a programme of seminars, lectures, workshops, and one-to-one consultations. We emphasise small-group teaching, which means you’ll mainly be taught in seminars.
York’s English and History degree is renowned for its flexible and innovative approach.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 4 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 2-3 hours per week |
| Workshops | 0-4 hours per week |
| Film Screening | 0-3 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Thin Ice Press is the Department of English and Related Literature’s in-house printing studio, whose iron presses chart the evolution of print from 1838-1926. They offer opportunities to experience the relationship between writing and printing practices through publication, practice-led research, teaching, and public workshops.
The University is home to the Borthwick Institute for Archives and students can also access York Minster Library and the City Archives. We're also close to the British Library Reading Room at Boston Spa where you can consult millions of items.
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature and the Department of History, which are on Campus West.
Your contact hours will be divided between Derwent College, Vanbrugh College, the Spring Lane Building, and other locations nearby on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
The Department of English and Related Literature employs a variety of assessment methods, including group projects and open exams, but with a strong emphasis on essay writing. Your main mode of assessment will be essays, which will range from short exploratory exercises to more detailed discussions on a topic of your choice. We offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
The Department of History also uses a variety of assessment methods. These include assessed essays from 2,000-4,000 words, closed exams, and open exams, and you will complete a 3,000-word group project in your second year.
In your third year, you will bring your two subjects into dialogue in a 7,000-8,000 word bridge dissertation on a topic of your choosing.
Both departments offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
I’ve loved exploring the speeches, campaign posters and media images of the time and hope to explore these further within the Borthwick Archive, and potentially use these for later studies!Fran, History.
Studying English and History at York will provide you with numerous career possibilities. You’ll learn presentation, language, and critical thinking skills during your combined degree, and gain expertise in complex analysis and research. These skills suit a wide range of careers, from law and teaching to national and local government and the creative industries.
York is a beautiful city. It’s quite a privilege to spend your days encountering that history, stumbling around incredibly long cobbled streets! I really miss it as a place. That’s why I’ve loved coming back for the past nine years to give talks – it feels like coming full circle.Greg Jenner, BA History Alumni
Public Historian & Podcast Host
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA, including English Literature and History (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 39 credits at Distinction, including at least 6 credits in Literature-related units and 6 credits in History-related units, and 6 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with additional A Levels or equivalent qualifications in English Literature and History at grade A. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including English Literature and History |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall, with 85% in English Literature and 85% in History. |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points including 6 in English Literature (or English Language and Literature) and History at Higher Level |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless additional A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) in English Literature and History have been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - AB in English Literature and History plus Scottish Highers - AB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| 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 Communicator 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 | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of English and Related Literature, Department of History
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