Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sociology (Plus Optional Placement Year)

at University of York United Kingdom

Understand the forces at work where power and money intersect with ideals. Grapple with the problems that shape society, explore the theory behind policy and question the morality of competing systems of government. By what right do our rulers govern? What conditions create poverty and how does wealth interact with political unrest?

Our flexible course lets you tailor your degree to your strengths. You'll learn with a diverse and international student body. Our active Club of Politics, Economics and Philosophy (PEP) encourages debate beyond the classroom, and with opportunities to study abroad you can develop a truly global perspective.

Human rights defenders strive for a world in which human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.

Learn to bridge the gap between theory and practice by combining hands-on experience with interdisciplinary academic enquiry. Discover the theoretical frameworks and practical skills which make advances in human rights possible.

Study different aspects of human rights practice: the strategies employed and the debates, institutions and political structures that human rights defenders seek to influence. You'll learn directly from human rights defenders with first-hand experience in governmental, judicial, and grassroots roles.

You'll also develop a range of fieldwork, advocacy and legal skills and apply these on a placement in the UK or South Africa.

Funerary archaeology combines analysis of human remains with their archaeological context to take a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying both life and death in the past.

Our course will enable you to use the latest techniques and equipment to build key, practical knowledge and explore the varied archaeological and methodological approaches to funerary archaeology. You'll have the chance to develop your skills in a range of different methods and techniques, but all centred on learning how to investigate death and burial in the past.

The flexible nature of the course enables you to pursue your own particular period or methodological interests by selecting modules that appeal to your research interests. You'll work alongside internationally renowned specialists and gain 'hands on' experience of the analysis of human remains. You'll get the chance to learn through field trips to local museums and relevant sites, such as the prehistoric monuments in the Yorkshire Wolds.

Material culture tells the story of people and their things: allowing us insights into the significance that objects held for people in the past.

Interweaving practical and theoretical approaches to material culture, this course explores ethnoarchaeological and experimental archaeological approaches to objects, alongside functional analyses of a broad range of artefact types.

You will discover the theories underpinning our understanding of the material world while developing invaluable practical skills such as designing and executing your own experimental archaeology project, the analysis of microscopic wear and residue traces, working with objects from excavations and museum collections or making a short documentary film for the heritage sector.

Whatever your period of interest is, this course will equip you with the skills and experience you need to begin a career in cultural heritage, academia, or commercial archaeology.

The MSc in Clinical Anatomy provides unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the practical and in-depth study of clinical anatomy. The programme is built around core dissection-based modules covering the whole body. You will be encouraged to be a self-directed learner and challenge your knowledge and ways of thinking about the human body.

In this programme, you will carry out whole-body dissection in small groups during formal dissection sessions, and at your own pace in your own self-directed learning time, using cadavers with both Thiel, that ensures material is as close to living tissue as possible, and Formalin, that keeps the material in defined anatomical relationships.

You will have the unique opportunity to learn from experts in their field who are at the forefront of new developments in clinical anatomy, visiting surgeons and consultants. As well as learning from their expertise, you will be challenged to think differently and learn how to become a self-directed learner as you continue to develop your anatomy knowledge throughout your clinical career – and ultimately make a difference to patients’ lives.

You will also benefit from guest seminars from visiting surgeons and consultants, who will bring patient cases to share with you, so you can apply your knowledge within a clinical context. These experts come from a range of specialities including plastic, thoracic and orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, radiologists and emergency medicine doctors.

You can choose to study full-time for one year, or part-time over two or three years to fit around your work and home life.

Debate the principles that govern a prosperous society and hone your analytical skills against pressing political crises.

From tax on tea to the global distribution of wealth, everything economic is also political. By studying these subjects together you will gain a broader appreciation for the intersections of wealth and power, poverty and political unrest. You'll be challenged by world-class academics to critically assess both fundamental political structures and economic theories and to analyse what happens where these meet.

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, and employers value the skills you will develop in thinking across boundaries and engaging critically with a range of material.

Combine the study of Spanish with investigations into the nature of language itself. You'll be taught the language component of the course in Spanish, so you'll become confident using Spanish as a means of communication, and for critical thinking. You'll gain an understanding of Spanish culture and society which will underpin your abilities as a high-level communicator. There are many Spanish-speaking countries to choose from for your year abroad.

Your communication skills and intercultural understanding will be complemented by studying linguistics. In studying linguistics you will learn the science behind how we communicate. You’ll engage with the study of language on a conceptual level as well as the detailed level of linguistic data. Our department is one of the highest-ranked centres for research in linguistics in the UK, and the strength and diversity of our research is reflected in our teaching.

The course has flexibility in terms of how much Spanish and linguistics content you study over the four years. Your knowledge and understanding of how a language works, and how it is used will give you a solid foundation for many careers.

Theatre is one of our most ancient and enduring forms of art. From the Ancient Greeks to today, theatre’s unique engagement with the audience and ever-changing liveness make it the most exciting way to reflect society, challenge our preconceptions and entertain us night after night. This undergraduate degree draws the key roles of director, performer and playwright together, in order to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of theatre practice, and the skills you’ll need to succeed in any area of the industry.

Whether you are an electronic/computer-based composer or an early music specialist who wants to make the very best recordings, this course will provide you with the intellectual and practical skills to realise your goals.

Recordings and productions are the dominant way of engaging with music of all types. This program explores the skills and knowledge relevant to this important musical activity, as well as understanding how it affects music more broadly.

You'll study practical, theoretical and analytical aspects of the creation, perception and reception of audio productions. You'll take an interdisciplinary approach, examining how creative studio practice is informed by science and engineering (acoustics, psychoacoustics, electroacoustics, signal processing) as well as composition, performance and musicology.

The course combines a very broad view of the techniques and applications of production for audio media with the subsequent development of more tightly focussed individual skills and scholarship. You'll encounter a range of possible projects, from the creation of entirely synthetic material using computer-based techniques to the successful capture of acoustic performances, as well as the restoration and reconstruction of existing audio heritage.

We designed our four-year MMath degree programme for those who want to follow careers in industry or research.

You'll learn about more topics in depth, and even approach the cutting edge of research in your final year of study.

You can choose to add a year in industry to your course, giving you an opportunity to apply your learning in the real world, and develop skills and experience that will help you secure your first graduate job.