History and Philosophy BA

Course overview

This joint honours course has the flexibility for you to develop your own areas of specialism and expertise so you can shape your degree to suit you. In the process, you’ll develop a range of skills that will stand out to employers.

Compulsory modules in history will give you a firm foundation in historical skills and in the diverse ways the past is researched and understood. You can also choose from a wide selection of optional modules to explore periods, themes and communities that really interest you, from medieval to modern, and from empires and decolonisation to the history of everyday life.

In philosophy, you’ll discover key concepts and topics such as argument construction, moral and political philosophy, the history of modern philosophy, and the nature of knowledge and reality, as well as applied philosophy in topics such as bioethics, race, gender and the philosophy of war and terrorism.

Both the School of History and School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science are large enough to allow you to pursue an impressively diverse range of research interests across both subjects.

Course details and modules

A joint honours degree allows you to study compulsory topics from each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional modules so you can fit in both subjects.

Year 1

You’ll study modules in both subjects, which will lay the groundwork for your degree. These will provide you with opportunities to develop and broaden your historical skills and explore different approaches to the study of the past and key skills and issues in philosophy. You’ll have the chance to take optional modules in both subjects and you can also study discovery modules from across the University.

Year 2

You’ll take two compulsory modules that enable you to learn new skills in philosophical method and explore how studying each of history and philosophy enhances the understanding of the other, as well as explore the key issues involved in putting history into practice. You can then choose from optional modules in each subject, as well as discovery modules.

In History, you'll have a range of optional modules across earlier and more recent history, and across the globe from Britain, Europe, and the Americas to Africa, Asia and Australia. In Philosophy, you'll have a choice across key areas such as moral and political philosophy, theory of knowledge and reality, philosophy of religion, or key thinkers in the history of modern philosophy.

Year 3

You’ll have the opportunity for genuine research-led teaching throughout the degree, especially in your final year. You’ll conduct an independent research project on a topic of your choice in either history or philosophy.  If you decide to take a project in philosophy, you’ll have a choice between two different kinds of research project. Both offer you the guidance of an individual supervisor, but one also offers the scaffolded support of an associated module on the topic of your project. The other allows you the freedom to pursue an independent research project of your own design. In history, you could pursue either a final year project which takes the form of an extended essay or one that produces a public-facing output, such as a website, podcast, film or exhibition.

If you take a research project in Philosophy rather than History, you’ll be required to take a special subject module in History that focuses on a specialist area of history.

In both history and philosophy, you’ll be able to choose from a rotating list of optional modules that are closely tied to the research interests of academic staff. While the precise offering may vary, the list below will give you a flavour of what will be available on this course.

Throughout your degree you’ll develop your skills in argument, critical thinking, research, interpretation and textual analysis – invaluable skills for whatever career you choose to pursue.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read History and Philosophy BA in the course catalogue.

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.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Exploring History (20 credits) - This module equips all students with the fundamental skills, techniques, and knowledge to be able to flourish as an undergraduate student of history. You will discover the range of ways that the past is researched, analysed, and presented. You will have the opportunity to explore different approaches to researching the past as well as historical concepts, themes, and debates.

How to do Philosophy (20 credits) - This introductory module offers you a foundation in some of the formal and informal reasoning skills used in philosophy.

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Diverse Histories of Britain (20 Credits)
• Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy (20 Credits)
• 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)
• The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong (20 credits)
• Knowledge, Self and Reality (20 credits)
• Philosophy Meets the World (10 credits)
• Thinking About Race (10 credits)

Year 2 compulsory modules

Philosophical Method (for joint honours) (20 credits) - This module further develops your philosophical skills to analyse and construct arguments, your ability to identify a philosophical issue or problem and apply that understanding to your other joint honours subject, to develop your understanding of how your two subjects relate to each other.

History in Practice (20 credits) - Through this core module you’ll have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of how history is made and communicated, such as working with archival material, learning digital humanities skills, or exploring heritage and the public face of history. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a research project that presents your work to a wider audience or to apply what you have learnt across a range of innovative assessment tasks.

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Past Thinkers: History of Modern Philosophy (20 credits)
• How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy (20 credits)
• Do The Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy (20 credits)
• How Do You Know? Topics in Epistemology (20 credits)
• God, Thought and the World: Topics in Philosophy of Religion (20 credits)
• Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics (20 credits)
• Medieval Masculinities (20 credits)
• Patient Voices: Medicine and Healthcare in the Middle Ages (20 credits)
• Lost Colonists: Failure and the Family in Southern Africa (20 credits)
• The Global Caribbean (20 credits)
• Later Victorian England: Politics, Society and Culture (20 credits)
• The Lucky Country? The Social History of Australia in the 20th Century (20 credits)

Year 3 compulsory modules

Final Year Project (in either History or Philosophy) (40 credits) - There are a variety of final year project options. You can design and carry out a piece of extended independent research with the individualised support of a supervisor with research expertise in your chosen area, in either Philosophy or History. In Philosophy, you’ll also have the option to select one of the final year modules to serve as the basis of and scaffolding for your independent research, allowing you to explore a topic you haven’t previously studied. In History, you’ll also have the option to pursue a public history project with a public-facing output.

History Special Subject (40 credits)

There will be a range of special subject modules, which vary annually, but will span:

• Medieval and Early Modern History; for example, Early Modern Media
• Modern International History; for example, The Korean War
• Modern British History; for example, The Photographic Age
• Modern World History; for example, The Harlem Renaissance

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Bioethics (20 credits)
• War, Terror and Justice (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Sex and Relationships (20 credits)
• Feminist Philosophy (20 credits)
• Kant (20 credits)
• Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art (20 credits)
• Continental Philosophy (20 credits)
• Non-Western Philosophy (20 credits)
• Ancient Philosophy (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Language (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Work and Play (20 credits)
• Caribbean Identity (20 credits)
• American History, American Historians (20 credits)
• Writing Intimate Histories (20 credits)
• Gender and Slavery in Latin America, 1580-1888 (20 credits)
• Medieval Women Mystics (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

Our tutors are experts in their fields and their teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research.

We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You'll be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a final year research project on a topic of your own choice.

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, and 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

We use many different types of assessment. These include: essays, exams, vlogs and podcasts, online discussion posts, wikis, zines, and blogs, annotated bibliographies, book/literature/historiographical reviews, group work and oral presentations.

At the upper levels, assessments may be student-led, with students selecting their own essay questions or designing their own independent research project.

You'll typically complete an ungraded formative exercise during a module, that serves as a stepping-stone towards your final graded assessment for the module.

There'll also be support on hand. For example, our Library Skills Team provides exam skills training and we also provide subject-specific sessions on essay writing. Teaching staff will be available throughout term-time to talk to you one-on-one about how to get the most out of your assessments. New students will have a suite of study skills modules to help with the transition to University teaching and assessment.

Assessment is not just a way of testing you, but a key way to consolidate your learning on the degree. We design our assessments to reflect the most valuable skills our subjects can teach you – how to construct a well-developed argument, explain complicated ideas clearly, or critically evaluate and interpret historical or philosophical texts. Assessments will provide the means to develop technical and digital literacies, such as designing and editing podcasts/blogs/vlogs/slides.

Not only will these skills allow you to perform well in your degree, but they'll also help you excel in your future career.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

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.

Alternative qualification

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 a contextual 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.

If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree.

The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

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.

Fees

UK: £10,050

International: To be confirmed

The amount of tuition fees you pay is based on whether you are classified as a home (UK) or international student. Find out how we assess your fee status.   

Tuition fees for UK students 
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2026/27 are £9,790 and £10,050 for students starting in 2027/28.  

Subsequent years 
The UK government sets the maximum tuition fee caps that universities can charge UK students. This means your tuition fee in future academic years will reflect any changes set by the government.   

From 2028/29 onwards, tuition fees are likely to increase annually, at least in line with inflation, and may rise further if the government increases the fee cap.   

Tuition fees for international students 
The international fee applies for each year of full-time study and will remain the same for the duration of your course.    

Read more about tuition fees.

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.

Students may be required to purchase core texts for some modules, but our policy is to provide as much as we can through the library and as online texts available to all students.

Additional cost information

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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and 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.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your degree. Find out more and check your eligibility below:

• Scholarships for International students
• Scholarships for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Applying

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 Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
School of History

Contact us

School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science Undergraduate Admissions

Email: prhsugadmissions@leeds.ac.uk

Career opportunities

You’ll gain a broad base of skills from a joint honours degree in History and Philosophy.

As well as in-depth subject knowledge, you’ll have good research skills and be able to analyse complex information from a range of sources. You’ll be able to construct clear and persuasive arguments, and present and defend them using your advanced communication skills. You’ll also have good organisational skills from juggling two different subjects.

Recent graduates have gone into careers in business, the Civil Service, education, finance, heritage, teaching, publishing, fashion, journalism, law, local government, media, marketing and politics to name just a few.

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

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability Team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, write your CV and cover letter, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

All University of Leeds students can apply to spend a year studying abroad. It’s a great way to gain an insight into another culture, as well as gaining valuable experience that will look great on your CV.

The School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science has exchange links with universities in Denmark, France, Spain, and Greece, along with many other locations.

Some of these global opportunities are taught in English, whereas others require a level of language proficiency. In all cases, language support is available to students beforehand.

There are also opportunities for a horizon year abroad and a summer abroad option.

Read more about Study abroad in Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Work Placements

This programme gives you the opportunity to undertake an industrial placement year as part of the course.

It’s important to note, work placements are not guaranteed. The job market is competitive – and there may be competition for the placement you want. You’ll have to apply the same way you would for any job post, with your CV and, if successful, attend an interview with the organisation.

Our Employability Team will help you every step of the way. They run a number of placement sessions to discuss opportunities and support you with CV writing and interview preparations. Plus, they’ll be there to answer any questions you may have and offer guidance throughout the process, too.

Benefits of a work placement year:

• 100+ organisations to choose from, both in the UK and overseas
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field
• Our close industry links mean you’ll be in direct contact with potential employers
• Advance your experience and skills by putting the course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in this industry
• Improve your employability

Find out more about Industrial placements.