Master of Arts in Early Prehistory and Human Origins

at University of York United Kingdom

Physics is the study of the fundamental forces of the Universe, understanding the nature of waves and particles, and the structure of matter.

You will gain a thorough grounding in physics, scientific principles and methods. You'll investigate subjects like nanosystems, semiconductors, fusion plasmas, biophysics, and quantum computing.

You'll learn to analyse real-life problems, write scientific reports, communicate complex concepts, and design and perform experiments.

Work with world-renowned physicists with access to unique facilities like our Astrocampus and the York Plasma Institute. On graduation, you’ll possess key career skills demanded by employers across a huge range of sectors.

There has never been greater need for scientists who understand how the Earth system functions and responds to human activities, and who can apply this knowledge in the broader social and economic context of managing the environment to ensure a sustainable future.

Research-led teaching with a multi-disciplinary focus will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental problems such as climate change, air pollution and energy transitions.

Psychologists use observation and experimental evidence to understand the relationship between our sensations and actions but also the intervening processes that underlie our behaviour. Social psychology studies interactions, group behaviour and culture. Cognitive neuroscience examines the mechanisms of the individual brain, right down to its cells and the connections between them.

Here at the University of York, we teach psychology as a rigorous experimental biological science.

We are committed to the application of this knowledge to the benefit of all sectors of society. Most organisations are interested in explaining, understanding, predicting or changing human behaviour.

We are a research-intensive department which means you will be taught by researchers of international repute who are doing world-leading research as well as delivering lectures and supervising undergraduate projects.

Some of our students go on to work in fields such as health (clinical psychology), education (educational psychology) and criminal justice (forensic psychology) but most use the unique combination of scientific and statistical skills, critical thinking and analysis of human behaviour in other sectors such as marketing, human resources, management and the civil service. A high proportion of our graduates go on to further study.

Computer Science is founded upon Maths, and the study of the two together allows you to explore topics core to both whilst gaining an insight into how they intersect.

Maths influences Computer Science, from designing and analysing efficient computer programs to developing formal proofs that a piece of software does what was intended. This is especially important, for example, if the software is being used to fly a plane.

Increasingly Computer Science is also being used to find solutions to mathematical issues. Computers are used to solve long-standing mathematical problems, as they can help visualise complex numerical data, search for solutions, and make number manipulation faster.

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.

This degree will give you a strong grounding in fundamental chemistry. You'll also develop specialist knowledge of chemistry for biology and medicine, from the use of powerful microscopes to investigate the causes of genetic disease to exploring new treatments for cancer.

In a rapidly changing globalised world, inequality, injustice and discrimination are rife. On this course, you'll engage with issues of social justice through a distinctive approach combining law, policy and the study of the social construction of crime. You'll work collaboratively to analyse real-world problems, as well as undertake individual legal research, all while drawing on the expertise of criminologists and world-leading legal researchers.

Our graduates are skilled written and oral communicators, coordinators and team players. You'll be well-placed to contribute to society as a creative, ethical and robust thinker and problem-solver within a range of roles in the social and criminal justice system, in the wider legal profession and beyond.

The MA in Victorian Literature and Culture explores the engagement of nineteenth-century literature with a wide range of political, social and aesthetic issues. You will encounter writing in a variety of styles and genres, and come to be familiar with both contemporary and modern critical perspectives.

This flexible programme gives you the choice to specialise within the Victorian period or to explore a range of research interests across the nineteenth century, including interdisciplinary options from departments including History and History of Art.

Taught and supervised by world-leading scholars, the course will develop your research skills and you'll be able to apply these to a substantial piece of independent research. This will provide you with a foundation for doctoral research, as well as transferable skills for related careers in teaching, publishing, arts management and journalism. ?

Theoretical physics provides the tools for constructing the mathematical framework of the physical world.

On a foundation of advanced physics, you'll build your understanding of theoretical techniques. You'll use mathematical analysis and an array of computational methods to address complex problems. You'll learn key skills of analysis and research, write scientific reports to industry standards, and simulate huge physical systems using our supercomputers.

Work with world-renowned physicists using sophisticated equipment to probe the nature of existence and push the boundaries of research. You will learn to utilise supercomputers like York's own Viking cluster, developing parallel code to model complex physical systems.

Gain unique global experiences spending a year at one of our partner universities. Boost your confidence by immersing yourself in a different culture and gain valuable language skills for your CV.

Computer Science is founded upon Maths, and the study of the two together allows you to explore topics core to both whilst gaining an insight into how they intersect.

Maths influences Computer Science, from designing and analysing efficient computer programs to developing formal proofs that a piece of software does what was intended. This is especially important, for example, if the software is being used to fly a plane.

Increasingly, Computer Science is also being used to find solutions to mathematical issues. Computers are used to solve long-standing mathematical problems, as they can help visualise complex numerical data, search for solutions, and make number manipulation faster.

Our broad and principled approach to computer science will give you a thorough grounding in theory as well as practical skills, helping you to solve real-world problems.

You will study systems at different levels of abstraction, including digital hardware architectures, low level programming, operating systems, intelligent systems, compilers and high level languages. You’ll learn to design user-centred systems, recognise the power of data, and build intelligent systems that learn from data.

You will spend a year in industry, furthering your knowledge, networking and getting real-life experience.

Our courses are designed with our Industrial Advisory Board, so you’ll be well placed to adapt to the workplace. Choose between a BSc or BEng based on your destination after graduation.