(Full time) 2021 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 key themes in British, European and world history.
Core modules will introduce you to key theories and concepts in sociology, while in History you’ll focus on research methods and historiography. 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 the Crusades 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 Leeds Russian Archive, a resource for the study of Anglo-Russian relations into the 20th century and the Liddle Collection of personal papers from thousands of people who lived through the First and Second World Wars.
Papers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and extensive correspondence from political figures from around the world are also held in the Special Collections. The University Library offers full training to help you make the most of our resources.
Take a look around our libraries:
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.
Core modules in your first year will develop your historical skills, as you’re introduced to historiography and primary source research. 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, witch hunts in early modern Europe, crime and regulation, the Industrial Revolution, class division or recent African political 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
- Historiography and Historical Skills 20 credits
- Primary Sources for the Historian: An Introduction to Documentary study 20 credits
- Sociology of Modern Societies 20 credits
- Formations of Modernity 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Empire and Aftermath: The Mediterranean World from the Second to the Eighth Centuries 20 credits
- Faith, Knowledge and Power, 1500-1750 20 credits
- Medieval and Renaissance Europe 20 credits
- The Modern World 20 credits
- Understanding and Researching the City 20 credits
- Understanding and Researching Contemporary Society 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 Crusades and Medieval Christendom 20 credits
- Victorian England: Old England and Industrial Society 1837-1865 20 credits
- Victorian England: Aristocracy and Democracy, 1865-1901 20 credits
- 20th Century Britain: Progress and Uncertainty 1945-1990 20 credits
- Black Politics from Emancipation to Obama 20 credits
- Histories of Black Britain 20 credits
- Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods 20 credits
- Crime, Law and Regulation 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
Year 3
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Thinking about History 20 credits
- Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement 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
- Tradition and Modernity in Colonial Africa: Uganda's Kingdoms 1862-1964 40 credits
- The Third Reich, 1933-1945 40 credits
- Caribbean Mobilities: Travel, Culture and Politics, 1838-1939 40 credits
- In the Shadow of Franco: Terror and its Legacy in Spain, 1936-Present Day 20 credits
- The Breaking of Contemporary Britain: Challenges from the Post-War Period 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 the range of opportunities, expanding 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 and learning methods so you can benefit from our tutors’ expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and occasionally workshops. However, there’s also an important element of independent learning throughout your degree, since this is where you develop your research and analytical skills.
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
In addition, we use different types of assessment. These normally involve a mixture of exams and essays, but in some modules oral presentations and group work may also be included. We’ll offer plenty of support throughout your time at Leeds, such as extra classes on public speaking, exam technique and structuring an essay.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB including A in History.
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 including A in History 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. There are subject specific requirements for History modules. 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 including D3 in History
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International Baccalaureate
35 overall (16 higher, including 6 higher points in History and 5 standard points in mathematics)
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in History
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AABBB overall (AB at Advanced level including A in History) OR AAABB (A in History 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% including 85% in History.
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 including History 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. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU 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
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £20,250 (per year)
Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 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 and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 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 Government and may vary if policy changes.
EU students starting in 2021/22
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.
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.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
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.
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.