(Full time) 2023 start
History and Sociology BA
Overview
This varied joint honours degree will give you an insight into the structures that shape human societies, while allowing you to explore how those communities have changed over time.
You’ll consider the complexities of class, gender, race and other factors in different societies, while gaining an understanding of the diverse histories of power, resistance, and social change in British, European and world history.
Modules will introduce you to key theories and concepts in sociology, while in history a core module will give you a firm foundation in historical skills and explore ways the past is researched. You’ll also choose from optional modules in both subjects, spanning from the early medieval period to today, cutting across cultures and considering some of the biggest social challenges faced in the modern world.
From mysticism to decolonisation, drug policy to ethnicity and sexuality, this wide-ranging and exciting course will give you a real insight into the relationships between individuals and society. You’ll also gain valuable skills that are valuable to employers.
Leeds has excellent resources for historians, including a wealth of archive material and political documents. The University Library's Special Collections include the papers of Zygmunt Bauman, a prolific sociologist and writer, and the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma collection that spans the 16th century up to the modern day.
The University Library offers full training to help you make the most of our resources.
Take a look around our libraries:
Brotherton Library
Laidlaw Library
Edward Boyle Library
Course content
A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.
Modules in your first year will provide you with opportunities to develop and broaden your historical skills, as well as exploring different approaches to the past. You’ll also analyse contemporary British society and culture and explore the key issues and concepts of sociology.
Over the next two years, you’ll choose from an impressive variety of optional modules reflecting the full range of research interests in both subjects. You could cover disability studies, cults of Saints, crime and regulation, the Industrial Revolution, class division or recent African or South Asian history.
In your final year, you’ll be able to apply the research and analytical skills you’ve developed to an independently researched dissertation, where you can specialise in a subject of your choice.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Exploring History 20 credits
- Sociology of Modern Societies 20 credits
- Formations of Coloniality/Modernity 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Faith, Knowledge and Power, 1500-1750 20 credits
- The Medieval World in Ten Objects 20 credits
- Medieval Lives: Identities, Cultures and Beliefs 20 credits
- Global Empires 20 credits
- Global Decolonization 20 credits
- The Making of the Twentieth Century 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Central Problems in Sociology 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
- The Tudors: Princes, Politics, and Piety, 1485-1603 20 credits
- Jewish Communities in Medieval Europe 20 credits
- Conquerors and Conquered: England, 1000-1135 20 credits
- Britain and the Industrial Revolution 20 credits
- 20th Century Britain: Progress and Uncertainty 1945-1990 20 credits
- The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, 1921-1993 20 credits
- Nationalism, Colonialism and 'Religious Violence' in India, 1857-1947 20 credits
- Lost Colonists: Failure and the Family in Southern Africa, 1880-1939 20 credits
- Histories of Black Britain 20 credits
- The Rise of Modern Japan: From the Meiji Restoration to the Present Day 20 credits
- American Business History 20 credits
- Global Business History 20 credits
- Mao Zedong and Modern China, 1949-Present 20 credits
- Medieval Narratives in the Modern World: Nationalism, Terrorism, Popular Culture 20 credits
- Disability Studies: An Introduction 20 credits
- The Sociology of Gender 20 credits
- Crime, Race and Ethnicity 20 credits
- Debates in Childhood and Youth 20 credits
- The Sociology of Culture 20 credits
- Sociology and the Climate Crisis 20 credits
- Sociology of Religion 20 credits
Year 3
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
- Archive Intelligence: Unlocking the Archive 20 credits
- Histories of Black Britain 20 credits
- Conquest, Convivencia and Conflict: Christian and Muslim Spain, 711-1212 40 credits
- Back to School in the Middle Ages: Schools, Teachers and Pupils in north-western Europe 700-1200 40 credits
- Dividing India: The Road to Democracy in South Asia, 1939-1952 40 credits
- The Harlem Renaissance: Black Culture and Politics 1919-1940 40 credits
- The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 40 credits
- Black British Culture and Black British Cultural Studies 40 credits
- The Cultural History of Venice, 1509-1797 40 credits
- The Troubles: The Northern Ireland Conflict, 1968-Present 40 credits
- The Photographic Age: Photography, Society and Culture in Britain, 1839-1945 40 credits
- The Body in Australian History, 1788-2007 20 credits
- War, Regicide and Republic: England, 1642-1660 20 credits
- History Dissertation 40 credits
- The Later Elizabethan Age: Politics and Empire 40 credits
- In the Shadow of Franco: Terror and its Legacy in Spain, 1936-Present Day 20 credits
- The Iron Lady Abroad: Margaret Thatcher and UK Foreign Policy from 1979 40 credits
- A Revolutionary Century: Resistance, Reform, and Repression in Central America, 1900- present 40 credits
- Europe on the Move: Refugees and Resettlement, 1919-59 40 credits
- Gender and Slavery in Latin America, 1580-1888 20 credits
- The Global Vietnam War 40 credits
- Sociology Dissertation 40 credits
- Quantitative Social Research 20 credits
- Disability and Development 20 credits
- Research Skills for your Dissertation 20 credits
- State Crime and Immorality 20 credits
- Contemporary Children, Young People and Families 20 credits
- Global Terrorism and Violence 20 credits
- Gender, Technologies and the Body 20 credits
- Ethnicity and Popular Culture 20 credits
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
The School of History and School of Sociology and Social Policy are home to tutors who are at the forefront of research in their fields.
We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a final year research project on a topic of your own choice.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Academic staff have bookable office hours for advice and feedback, and you’ll also benefit from working closely with your tutors during one-to-one supervision sessions, our personal tutoring schemes, on field trips (such as archive and museum visits).
The University offers a variety of tailored support for historians and philosophers; the University Library runs free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods may vary, depending on the modules you choose. Exams and essays are the most common, but some modules may also include group work, oral presentations, source commentaries, annotated bibliographies, book/literature/historiographical reviews, blog postings, Wikis, podcasts, and other methods as part of the mix.
We offer plenty of support, including the chance to attend extra classes on issues such as exam technique, public speaking and structuring an essay if you need them.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
GCSE: Grade 4/C in Mathematics
Other course specific tests:Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be ABB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.
We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Please contact the Admissions Office for further information. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. Grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics is required.
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BTEC
We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M1
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International Baccalaureate
35 overall (16 higher, including 5 standard points in mathematics)
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AABBB overall (AB at Advanced level) OR AAABB (A at Advanced level).
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Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 80%
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, contact the School of History Admissions team.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Read our guidance about applying.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
UK: £9,250
International: £22,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
A joint honours degree in History and Sociology equips you with a wide range of skills that are valuable to employers.
You’ll have a thorough understanding of some of the key issues faced in modern society, but you’ll also be a strong independent researcher. You’ll be able to analyse and interpret information from multiple sources, draw your own conclusions and communicate them clearly. You’ll also work comfortably in a team and have organisational skills from studying two different subjects.
Graduates have gone into a wide range of careers as a result, including social work, the charity sector, the civil service, journalism, law, education and the creative industries. Others have pursued postgraduate study or professional training.
Read more about Graduate destinations.
We do everything we can to help prepare you for your career. Student-run career groups allow you to get together with other students who share your career goals, while you could also become a peer mentor or apply for one of our paid internships. Or you could take one of our career-related modules to develop your employability or explore your options.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.