Undergraduate Course
History and Religion BA (Hons)
Discover the role religion has played in shaping global history, and how it continues to affect our world today.
Together History and Religion help us understand the modern world. By combining these subjects you will explore the beliefs people hold, as well as how our past led us to our current contexts and situations.
100% History students responded with a 100% positivity score for how often the course is intellectually stimulating. (National Student Survey 2023
100% Religion, Theology and Philosophy students responded with a 100% positivity score for how much they had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth. (National Student Survey 2023)
York campus
- UCAS code – V200
- Duration – Full time for 3 years, part time for 6 years
- Start date – September 2025
- School – School of Humanities
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Tuition fees
UK 2025 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2025 entry £11,500 per year full time
Discover studying at York St John University
History
Dr Alice Brumby introduces us to History at York St John University.
Religion, Theology and Philosophy
Dr Mark Dawson introduces us to Religion, Theology and Philosophy at York St John University.
Course overview
Learn about the historical events and philosophical movements that have shaped our modern world. This course gives you the freedom to choose the modules that interest you most, and the debates and issues raised in each subject will help to inform one another.
In your Religion modules you will explore theological questions not as abstract concepts but as ways we can try to deal with problems in everyday life. We will discuss relevant and sometimes controversial issues such as:
- Wealth and poverty
- Relationships between races and genders
- The influence of the media
- The role of ethics in life and death decisions
- Environmental issues
- The morality of war
In your History modules you will have the chance to study many different periods, places and peoples, from antiquity to the 21st century. Some of the areas you may study include:
- American history
- Empires
- Environmental history
- Revolutions
- Slavery
- The Cold War
York has a long and fascinating history, and we make use of the resources on our doorstep. You will benefit from our extensive partnerships with heritage sites, archives and businesses across the city, including York Museums Trust, York Explore and the Yorkshire North East Film Archive.
In both your History and your Religion modules we will support your learning through field trips and visits in York and beyond. Meanwhile our work related learning module will help you to gain work experience and transferable skills to prepare you for your career.
Course structure
Year 1
Our academic year is split into 2 semesters. How many modules you take each semester will depend on whether you are studying full time or part time.
In your first year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 2
If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
This is a joint honours degree which means you must study at least 1 module from each subject every semester.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module is an introduction to the academic study of religion. Through it you will prepare for degree level study by familiarising yourself with key terms, methodologies and issues. The module will also provide you with the academic skills you need to succeed on your degree, including:
- Using the library database
- Referencing sources
- Writing bibliographies
- Communicating your ideas
- Structuring your essays.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will develop the key skills needed to be a successful historian. Focusing on analytical interpretation rather than historical narrative, this module will prepare you for independent study at degree level . You will explore how historians:
- Examine primary sources
- Write and engage with secondary sources
- Construct arguments and apply theories
- Work with established historical concepts
- Question conventions and established time periods in history
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module is your introduction to the history of York, from medieval to the Regency period. Through it you will explore the city, making use of its resources, and thinking critically about how we can assess changes through time. Taking York as a case study, we will discuss social and cultural development within the city. You will also consider the dialogue between York’s evolution and changes in national and global history. We will take a thematic approach, focusing on ongoing developments such as trade, public health and religion.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Many conflicts across the world have a religious dimension. Religious voices add to the political in the public sphere to debate issues from war and conflict to cultural values. On this module you will build on your study skills and respond to contemporary issues encountered in the media. You will address the challenges of grappling with sensitive and complex events and beliefs, and use appropriate academic resources to do so.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will explore ethics in both religious and secular traditions, applying them to various contexts, such as famine and affluence. You will consider:
- What informs the ethical decisions people make
- How people form their attitudes to moral dilemmas
- Whether there are sources for moral reasoning other than religious ones
- What, if anything, rich nations owe poorer nations
You will reflect on your own assumptions surrounding these issues, and explore the relationship between ethical thought and religious belief.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module will give you a broad understanding of the history of the USA, from both a domestic and an international point of view. You will learn about America’s gradual emergence as a leading international power, economically, militarily and politically. We will explore historical developments in the American experience, including political, social and economic changes. You will consider the continuing tension between unity and diversity in American history, exploring topics such as the Civil War, industrialisation, consumer culture, foreign policy and immigration.
Year 2
In your second year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 3 optional modules in semester 1
- 3 optional modules in semester 2
If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
You must choose at least 1 module from each subject every semester. Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module is an opportunity to reflect on how the skills and knowledge you are gaining on your degree can benefit you in the future. You will use the expertise and resources available within the University to find out more about the possible career options available to you. You will also explore some of the philosophical, theological and ethical issues which may arise in the workplace, as well as investigating theological meditations on the nature and meaning of work in the contemporary world.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module is a great opportunity to improve your employability and start thinking about your career. You will consider how history, and the skills you have developed by studying it, relate to potential career paths. As part of this module you will participate in a 75 hour work placement. You will need to secure this placement yourself with staff support, but you can take advantage of the many connections we have established with heritage organisations in York and the wider region.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module focuses on modern western philosophy in an important period of intellectual history. We will be introduced you to the most influential philosophers from the beginning of the 17th century through to the end of the 19th century, and explore the ethical and religious issues surrounding their work. You will learn about the interaction between philosophical and religious thought, and construct your own arguments in response to these ideas. This will help you to understand the concepts behind the debates surrounding religious belief in contemporary life.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Applied ethics is an essential part of philosophy, and on this module you will apply your developing understanding of ethical thought to an important area of contemporary life. Many of the debates surrounding the topic of death employ religious arguments. By considering a range of widely debated issues in this area, you will learn how ethical theory interacts with practical matters and everyday life.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will explore a range of debates concerning a central themes in the philosophy of religion – the problem of evil. The existence of suffering, pain and atrocities has been used to question the existence of a benevolent God, and we will discuss some of the philosophical and theological responses to this problem. You will approach the topic through the works of various different philosophers, evaluating their different perspectives and forming your own critical responses.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will expand your understanding of religion through the study of literature. This will involve exploring texts across a variety of genres, styles and time periods, all of which engage with ideas of religion and spirituality. We will also introduce you to important concepts in literary theory, such as intertextuality and reader-response theory. Throughout the module you will build skills in analysis and critical reflection, considering how real experiences and debates can be expressed through fiction.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module explores the complex relationship between religion and politics. We will consider the role religion plays in international relations, government policy and social identity, as well as discussing how governments can use religion to connect with citizens or to advance political agendas. Using case studies from across the world, we will investigate topics such as:
- Religious freedoms and human rights
- Democratisation
- Religious extremism
- Sectarian conflicts
- Fundamentalism
- Secularisation.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Religion can heavily impact the lives of individuals within society, whether or not they are believers. On this module you will consider religion from a sociological perspective, engaging with some of the debates and theories which address it. You will explore how religious and non religious lives can be understood within wider social structures and processes. We will use concepts of structure, agency and intersectionality to examine the role of religion in society, communities and individual lives.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will explore one of the most pressing issues facing humanity: its relationship with an increasingly devastated natural environment. You will examine modern spiritual outlooks on the natural world, as well as emerging eco-theologies. We will consider how religious thinkers have responded to climate change and mass extinction, and how religious ideas can contribute to debates about sustainable living. You will consider tradition, doctrine and ancient wisdom and explore these alongside contemporary environmental issues and movements.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module builds on the Year 1 module Research and Presenting the Past, helping you to develop your research skills even further. You will do this by conducting project work in groups and engaging in independent research which will prepare you for the Dissertation module in your final year. We we will discuss the importance of primary sources for understanding an event, period or theme, as well as exploring various schools of historical theory and methodology. The module may also include opportunities to work with local archives.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Despite the horrors of the Black Death, devastation of famine, and the ravages of the Hundred Years War, 14th century England was also full of artistic and literary achievement. On this module you will explore the ideals and ideas existing alongside the trauma of conflict. This will also involve assessing developments in political culture, to better understand the challenges and achievements of the period.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will learn about early modern English society, from the beginning of the Reformation in the 1540s to the Restoration in the 1660s. We will explore how people negotiated their everyday lives in a world that was becoming ever more watchful of their political loyalties and personal morality. You will investigate this period through a range of primary sources, engaging with them in creative ways to understand the everyday lived experiences of the time. These could include:
- State papers
- Court records
- Petitions
- Documents relating to parish life.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will take a cultural and gender-focused approach to 16th century British history. This is a fascinating period in which to study the changes in power, autonomy and image of women. You will find new perspectives on a much discussed period in history, exploring how political and religious movements affected the lived experiences of women from across society. Through this we will consider how these women presented themselves, and how they have been represented since.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will study the history of the Soviet Union, from the October Revolution in 1917 to the collapse of the Soviet experiment in 1991. In doing so you will identify the underlying reasons for both the rise and the fall of the Soviet state, as well as assessing its impact on the rest of the world. This will involve examining Soviet communism from various different perspectives, taking in political, economic, social, military and cultural history.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will study the Victorian period from a social and cultural historical angle, exploring food and eating from various overlapping perspectives. You will consider how food and eating were shaped by broad historical changes such as:
- Colonialism
- Industrialisation
- Science and technology
- Medical advancements
- Print culture
You will also examine cookbooks as historical documents, along with other primary sources relating to food production and consumption in Britain, France and their empires. Through case studies you will engage with debates about the connections between food and everyday life, class, gender, race and civilisation.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will learn about the social and political history of Britain from the union of Scotland and England in 1707 until the crowning of Queen Victoria. This was a period of enormous political, social and economic change, which also saw Britain rapidly assuming a leading position amongst the world’s major powers. Topics you cover may include:
- The Hanoverian succession
- The Jacobite rebellion
- Imperial expansion
- Industrialisation
- Trade, commerce and capitalism, including the slave trade
- The American Revolution
- The Napoleonic Wars.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will examine, confront and evaluate the historical debates surrounding the American Civil War. You will learn about the campaigns and strategies of the war itself, as well as its social and political impact and its lasting cultural legacy. You will also consider the social and political forces that have shaped how this period has been retold in historical and pop culture representations. This will open wider discussion about how wars are remembered and commemorated.
Credits: 20
Optional module
The 1960s were a turbulent time for the USA. President Lyndon Johnson was embarking on a series of reforms aiming to create “the Great Society” at the same time as the seemingly endless war in Vietnam. It was also a time of great achievements, with America leading the first moon landings. Topics you will cover on this module include:
- The image and domestic policies of the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon presidencies
- Radicalism and dissent, including counterculture, urban riots and student protests
- The domestic impact of the Vietnam War.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will examine the traumatic history of China throughout the lifetime of Mao Zedong. You will confront and evaluate the historical debates surrounding China’s transition from the world’s oldest imperial power to a revolutionary Communist state. In doing so you will consider the political, ideological, economic, military, social and cultural forces that shaped these events. Given China's modern status as a major world power, learning about its turbulent past and Mao's legacy will help you to understand wider global developments.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module will focus on the Roman Empire in the first century AD, exploring what life was really like under imperial rule across society and across the empire. This will mean looking in depth at famous figures like Tiberius, Caligula and Nero, known for their violence and cruelty, as well as those like Vespasian whose legacy is more favourable. You will engage closely with different kinds of primary materials, including archaeology, art, coins and inscriptions as well as written sources.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will focus on the experience of African Americans both as enslaved people and in the years following the abolition of slavery. You will learn about the origins, development and abolition of slavery in the USA, assessing the impact and nature of the American slave system. We will discuss contemporary responses of both African Americans and white Americans to slavery, relationships between races after slavery ended, and the emergence of cultural expression among African Americans.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will examine the history of the United States since the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. You will explore a range of issues that have impacted American politics, culture and society in the years since these events. Your learning will be informed by the wider ideological, cultural and political history of the United States.
Topics may include:
- The War on Terror
- Fake news
- LGBTQ+ rights
- American conspiracies such as the birther movement and Q-Anon
- Response to crises such as 2008 recession and the Covid 19 pandemic
Year 3
In your third year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- A Dissertation module. You can choose either a 20 credit option or a longer 40 credit option which is spread across semesters 1 and 2. Your dissertation can focus on either History or Religion.
- You will study 2 optional modules in semester 1.
- You will study either 2 or 3 optional modules in semester 2, depending on the Dissertation option you choose.
If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
You must choose at least 1 module from each subject every semester. Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 20 or 40
Compulsory module
In your final year you will devise, plan and write an independent research project on a topic of your choice. You will be supported throughout this process by a supervisor with expertise in your chosen topic. This is an opportunity to develop further as an independent learner, demonstrating analytical skills which may include research in a fieldwork context. You can choose a short 5,000 word dissertation or a long 10,000 word option worth twice as many credits. You will also need to show awareness of your academic, professional and personal development through writing a learning journal.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will explore the role myth plays in explaining and defining human experience, from ancient mythology to popular culture. You will explore the religious nature of myth alongside theoretical explanations of how myth functions for individuals and communities. Through creative writing workshops and the study of established mythologies, you will have the opportunity to write your own myth.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module will explore key themes and theories relating to the Holocaust and wider genocide studies. We will consider how different mediums such as art, literature and film have been used to articulate responses to the Holocaust. As part of the module you will visit a Holocaust centre or museum, giving you an in depth understanding of the effects of genocide on victims, bystanders, perpetrators and survivors.
Credits: 20
Optional module
The negotiated study is your opportunity to carry out independent research into a topic of your choice, within the broad field of Theology and Religious Studies. You will work independently to develop a proposal, research the topic and negotiate your own direction. A tutor with specialist knowledge in the area you are focusing on will support you in this study.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will apply the knowledge and understanding you have built through the course so far to a new area, using the medium of film to explore theological and ethical issues. We will introduce you to the language and conventions of film analysis, before supporting you to explore individual films or scenes in detail. As you move towards your final assignment you will investigate a theological theme or ethical concept through your choice of relevant films.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module examines the role of religion in a global context through the application of theories concerning globalisation, secularisation, fundamentalism and migration. We will explore this through various media, including:
- Books
- Articles
- News items
- Film
- Literature
- Online media
Throughout the module you will consider case studies illustrating specific religions interacting with global issues, to give context to the different theoretical perspectives.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will explore the complex and often problematic relationship between feminist ethics and the Abrahamic religions. You will draw on your understanding of the complexity of religious traditions and ethical theories, as you explore arguments made by feminist thinkers. You will also examine and reflect upon various presumptions, prejudices and discriminations made in relation to gender, at both theoretical and practical levels.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module we will explore the role of the visual in religious practice and identity. Symbolism has always been important in religion, and today this imagery is given new meaning through its inclusion in public and personal spaces. You will respond to various forms of public art and visual objects which are informed by religion, including:
- Community wall art
- Statues
- Architecture
- Body art
- Mass produced imagery.
We will consider how these art forms can be inspirational or offensive, and how they can convey religious ideas in different political and cultural contexts.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Spirituality is now a widely discussed topic in debates about the place of religion within society. On this module you will investigate the concept of the spiritual revolution in contemporary society, considering its relationship with religion, secular society and economics. We will explore topics such as:
- The growing individualisation of religious belief
- Spiritual approaches to wellbeing and mindfulness
- Spiritual responses to environmental issues
- Changing attitudes and practices around death and mourning.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This is an opportunity to study a specialist area within your chosen historical era. The topics are closely related to staff research interest, meaning your work will be aligned with current research. This will help you develop your skills in research and historical investigation.
Through these special subject modules you can choose to explore topics such as:
- The Fall of the Roman Republic
- The War of the Roses
- The English Revolution
- Britain against Napoleon
- The Korean War
- The Russian Revolution
- The Vietnam War
- Reagan and his America
- International Origins of the Second World War
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
We use a variety of learning and teaching methods, allowing for different approaches to learning. These include:
- Lectures
- Seminars and workshops
- Group activities
- Visiting speakers
- Field trips
- Tutorials
You will typically study 3 modules each semester. Each module will normally have 3 hours of contact time each week, so you will have a minimum of 9 hours each week of teaching.
Alongside your timetabled sessions, you will need to study independently, reading around the topics we cover and preparing for your taught sessions.
You will be assigned a personal tutor when you join us, and they will support your progress and help with any concerns throughout your degree.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
You will experience a range of assessment methods throughout your degree. These include:
- Essays
- Group and individual presentations
- Primary source exercises
- Reviews
- Site reports
- Open and closed examination
- Reflective pieces
- Coursework portfolios
- Exhibitions
You will receive feedback on your work throughout each module, and have opportunities to practise assessment techniques. This will help you to improve before approaching the assessments which count towards your grade.
Career outcomes
Your future with a degree in History and Religion
Through this degree you will learn to think in an empathetic and critical way. You will also build essential transferable skills in researching, written and verbal communication, self management and team work. These are valuable skills in diverse professional settings.
This degree could be the first step toward your career in:
- Ministry or interfaith work
- Social services
- Charity and community projects
- Historical research
- Heritage and tourism
- Archives and curation
Discover more career options on Prospects careers advice pages.
You could also progress onto a postgraduate degree and take your learning even further.
Postgraduate courses at York St John University
PGCE at York St John University
Further your education and work towards a rewarding career in teaching by studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) after you graduate. For over 180 years, we have worked with enthusiastic individuals who want to shape the future of young people across both primary and secondary school settings. You'll spend a lot of time in schools, developing your practice by teaching. You will graduate with Qualified Teacher Status and become part of the well respected alumni of York St John educators.
Whatever your ambitions, we can help you get there.
Our careers service, LaunchPad provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support doesn't end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain experience and confidence to succeed. It's your career, your way.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
International Students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
This course is available with a foundation year
If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year.
Mature Learners Entry Scheme
If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
To study for an undergraduate degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK). Tuition fees may be subject to inflation in future years.
UK 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry onto this course is:
- £9,250 per year for full time study
- £6,935 per year for the first 4 years if you study part time
These prices apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students
You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page:
Placement year funding
If you choose to take a placement year, and your course offers it, you can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for your placement year. How much you are awarded is based on the type of placement being undertaken and whether it is a paid or unpaid placement. The tuition fee for your placement year will be reduced.
Tuition fees
UK 2025 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2025 entry £11,500 per year full time
International 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this course is £11,500 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your degree:
Additional costs and financial support
There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Study Abroad
For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad pages.
Accommodation and living costs
For detailed information on accommodation and living costs, visit our Accommodation pages.
Financial help and support
Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses.
For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Andreas Religion and Theology
Everyone that lectures at York St John is passionate about their subject area and that really comes across in everyday interactions. There is an incredibly strong sense here that everyone, from academic tutors and lecturers to the library staff and careers advisors, is here to help you succeed. This course has been great in developing my skills. Between writing assignments and preparing for lectures. This course is giving me the tools I need to succeed in the world of work.