Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History of Art with a Year Abroad (Plus Optional Placement Year)

at University of York United Kingdom

‌Politics is all around us, and it’s moving fast. With our internationally renowned experts you’ll get to the very heart of political thinking.

Explore the principles of power – how it’s won and how it’s used to drive the decisions that influence our daily lives. You’ll discover how issues such as poverty, debt, terrorism, conflict and environmental change affect us all, and investigate emerging powers like China and India.

BA Social and Political Sciences allows you to study a flexible choice of modules from a huge range offered by three highly respected academic departments.

You'll be taught by world-leading academics and study the most up-to-date theories in social and political sciences. As your studies progress you'll have the flexibility to tailor your degree to allow you to focus on your own interests, whether that's globalisation, human rights, the future of the welfare state, migration, equality or social justice.

Contribute to our high-profile seminar series and become involved in the dynamic student-run SPS Society. You'll be encouraged to take up an internship or work placement in which you'll get first-hand experience of the work you're interested in.

Successful actuaries use mathematical skill and business acumen to solve financial problems related to risk and uncertainty.

This degree combines the expertise of the York Management School and the Department of Mathematics, giving you access to world-class academics at the cutting edge of research in their fields.

You'll sharpen your mathematical skills and statistical reasoning, using advanced calculus, algebra, probability and statistics. In parallel you'll study economics, finance and accounting, developing your understanding of the wider context of actuarial work. Spending a year in industry offers an opportunity to put theory into practice while gaining valuable experience.

On successfully completing this course, you will be a multi-faceted and highly employable graduate with the financial and business skills required to qualify as a professional actuary.

Chemistry is often referred to as the 'central science'. It covers topics as diverse as quantum mechanics and the study of atomic particles, to the molecular nature of biological systems and the Human Genome Project.

Learning about the fundamental basis of chemistry - the analysis of molecules, their structures and shapes and how they react - is vital for our modern society. Chemists can really make a difference in the world.

Gain exposure to up-to-date techniques and knowledge relevant to policy analysis in social and other public policy areas, and to public sector administration and financial management.

If you already work in the public sector, the NHS or for an international agency, this course will help you upgrade your existing skills.

If you have completed a degree in economics, this course will allow you to build your knowledge and expertise in more specialised areas, such as health economics, social policy analysis and public finance.

The course is also suitable for those with a background in disciplines such as government, sociology, mathematics or natural sciences, who wish to develop their abilities in economics and related areas, particularly economic and social policy, administration and management.

Explore the ethical implications of financial decisions and train your mind as you question the fundamental principles that underpin society.

Economic forces affect every aspect of our lives, from the price of coffee to our structures of our government. Study these pressures under the guidance of world-class researchers and analyse the philosophical implications of economic theory. Who bears the burden of financial stability? Can great wealth ever be ethical? Is it permissible to weigh the poverty of some against the greater happiness of the whole?

You'll learn with a diverse and international student body and with opportunities to study abroad you can develop a truly global perspective. Our active Club of Politics, Economics and Philosophy (PEP) encourages debate beyond the classroom. The skills you will develop in thinking across boundaries and engaging critically with a range of material are highly valued by employers.

Taught by researchers actively contributing to the areas you'll study, this course is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the psychology and neuroscience of mental health and wellbeing in the context of education.

By the time you finish, you'll be ready to take on transformative consultancy and advocacy roles in mental health and wellbeing in education.

Our Biotechnology and Microbiology course examines how microorganisms can be used to produce improved therapeutic drugs, and why an understanding of microbial evolution is important for controlling pathogens.

This course is ideal if you want an interdisciplinary approach to Biotechnology and Microbiology. You will have a wide range of options to tailor the course to your developing interests.

Microorganisms are an important but often overlooked form of life. They are causative agents of many diseases, and can be harnessed to produce a wide range of useful products including antibiotics and other medicines. Microbes are also vital for providing multiple ecosystem services and are crucial for agricultural systems. They can provide the means to decontaminate polluted environments and act as important models for understanding biological processes. At York, you will learn about the practical application of biological knowledge to economically important areas, such as health, food and the environment.

Adding a year in industry or a year abroad are both an option with this course too, so you can benefit from the advantages that a year away can bring. The Department of Biology will provide you with the opportunity to learn in new, spacious and modern teaching laboratories which provide excellent facilities for practicals and small group project work, alongside our state-of-the-art computing facilities.

This course is ideal if you want an interdisciplinary approach to Molecular Cell Biology. You will have a wide range of options to tailor the course to your developing interests.

You will learn about the relationships between the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, and the molecular mechanisms behind immunology, genetic engineering and Cancer. This course is ideal for students who have an interest in studying biological systems at the molecular and cellular levels, encompassing areas that are at the forefront of biomedicine and biotechnology today.

Adding a year in industry or a year abroad are both an option with this course too, so you can benefit from the advantages that a year away can bring. The Department of Biology will provide you with the opportunity to learn in new, spacious and modern teaching laboratories which provide excellent facilities for practicals and small group project work, alongside our state-of-the-art computing facilities.

Our BA Human Geography and Environment builds the skills, knowledge and capacities for understanding and developing solutions for pressing 21st century social and environmental challenges. It draws on cutting-edge insights from human geography and environmental studies to critically explore the complex relationships between people, places and environments. It explores challenges and solutions to real-world problems, such as inequalities in global development, how to  achieve inclusive and sustainable change, creating sustainable food and transport systems, and the challenges of moving to sustainable consumption.