2026/27 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BA History and Philosophy

Programme overview

Programme code
BA-HIST&PHIL
UCAS code
VVC5
Duration
3 Years
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Josh Habgood-Coote
Contact address
J.Habgood-Coote@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
360
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
Examination board through which the programme will be considered
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups
Philosophy and History

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification


Your course
The programme provides for breadth and depth. At level 1, students will be exposed to core topics in each discipline through both compulsory and optional modules. This will allow them to begin to identify areas of personal interest which they may wish to pursue at higher levels. At higher levels, the programme is designed to provide the opportunity to acquire knowledge of and competence in a range of core topics and generic skills in each discipline, building on L1 exposure, or progressively specialise in a disciplinary sub-field (such as normative philosophy, theoretical philosophy, and different historical periods). They may undertake a final year project in either of the disciplines. This enables students to build a personalised portfolio of knowledge and competencies in each discipline, which can be adjusted according to an individual student’s intellectual ambitions, needs, and interests.

The programme showcases the distinctive areas of research strength in Philosophy and History at Leeds. Modules at higher levels will offer the opportunity to engage with current research of academics in each of the Schools, especially at level 3. At level 2, students have the option to study modules that are specifically focused on developing transferable skills for future employment.

At each level, students may study Discovery modules to expand their knowledge and/or skills beyond their programme of study, which provides a further opportunity to shape their study to their ambitions, interests and needs.
The programme has an international variant, which includes a study abroad year at Level 3, and an industrial variant, which includes a work placement year at Level 3.

Your future
Students will gain a suite of transferrable skills valued by employers, such as good organisational skills (gained through developing a personal path through their programme, engagement with study-related activities, and meeting assessment deadlines), independent research skills, the ability to analyse and interpret texts or information, the ability to analyse complex information from multiple sources, ability to construct arguments and to effectively communicate their views, and awareness of how cultural or historical context influences scholarship in the disciplines and issues in contemporary society.

Our world
At each level, students will have the opportunity to engage with material that demonstrates how each of the disciplines is relevant to contemporary issues and concerns (e.g., through race, gender, and culture, or debates about oppression, equality, and justice). In doing so, they acquire a developed and informed understanding of contemporary issues, their own stance on those issues, and so gain an understanding of their place in the world. Both history and philosophy have an important role in explicating diverse ways of understanding the world, the experience of different peoples (in place and time), how our world is shaped and can be changed for the better.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.

Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules and a minimum of 40 credits in History (HIST) and 40 credits in Philosophy (PHIL), to progress to the next year of the programme.

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST1000Exploring History20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL1260How To Do Philosophy20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional Modules

Candidates MUST study at least 20 credits from the following optional Philosophy modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHIL1080The Good, The Bad, The Right, The Wrong20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL1090Knowledge, Self and Reality20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL1121Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Candidates MUST study at least 20 credits from the following optional History modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST1060Faith, Knowledge and Power, 1500-175020Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST1065Diverse Histories of Britain20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST1310The Medieval World in Ten Objects20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST1320Medieval Lives: Identities, Cultures and Beliefs20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST1510Global Empires20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST1520Global Decolonization20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST1530The Making of the Twentieth Century20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MEDV1081Religion and Culture: Medieval Christianity, Judaism and Islam20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Candidates may study up to 20 credits from the following optional Philosophy modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHIL1005The Mind10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL1007Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL1015Thinking About Race10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL1022Philosophy Meets the World10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Candidates may study up to 20 credits from the following optional History of Science modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HPSC1015Magic, Science and Religion10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HPSC1030History of Psychology10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HPSC1046Introduction to the History of Science10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HPSC1050Darwin, Germs and the Bomb10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HPSC1080History of Modern Medicine10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.

Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules and a minimum of 40 credits in History (HIST) and 40 credits in Philosophy (PHIL), to progress to the next year of the programme.

Compulsory Modules

Candidates are required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST2025History in Practice20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL2011Philosophical Method (JH Programmes)20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study at least 20 credits from the following optional Philosophy modules:
(Min 20/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHIL2525Past Thinkers: History of Modern Philosophy20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL2615How Do You Know? Topics in Epistemology20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL2631God, Thought and the World: Topics in Philosophy of Religion20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL2906Do the Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL2915How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL2925Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates are required to study at least 20 credits (min 20 / max 40) of optional History modules from any of baskets 1, 2, 3 or 4. These optional modules will vary year on year.

Candidates may not take more than one module (20 credits) from any single basket.

Basket 1: Medieval and Early Modern History:
(Min 0/Max 20)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST2035Medieval Masculinities: Sex, Violence and Learning 1000-120020Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2083Voices of the People: Language and Speech in the Early Modern World20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2090Sin in Spanish America, 1571-170020Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2105Medieval Romans and the shape of Afro-Eurasia today20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2170Patient Voices: Medicine and Healthcare in the Middle Ages20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2260Digital Methods for History, Art and Literature20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Basket 2: Modern History:
(Min 0/Max 20)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST2011Mud, Blood and Poetry: The Cultural History of War in Britain20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2309Communist Eastern Europe, 1945-8920Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2360Bass Culture in Modern Britain20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2420Nationalism, Colonialism and 'Religious Violence' in India, 1857-194720Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST2432Lost Colonists: Failure and the Family in Southern Africa, 1880-193920Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Basket 3: Medieval and Early Modern History:
(Min 0/Max 20)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST2037Dread and Despair? Living with Disability in the Middle Ages20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2045Transformations of the Roman World20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2073Most Christian Kings: France, 1515-171520Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2220The Body, Disease and Society in Europe, 1500-175020Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2580Slavery Studies Through Autobiography20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MEDV2085Medieval Narratives in the Modern World: Nationalism, Terrorism, Popular Culture20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Basket 4: Modern History:
(Min 0/Max 20)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST2103Later Victorian England: Politics, Society and Culture20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2315Mughals, Merchants and Mercenaries: 'Company Raj' in India 1600-185720Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2353America and the Sixties20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2430The History of Africa since 190020Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST2434The Global Caribbean, 1641-184820Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules or one module from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CSER2206Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FOAH2020Towards the Future: Skills in Context20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.

Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules, and at least 40 credits in History and 40 credits in Philosophy (PHIL or PRHS code), to be eligible for an honours degree.

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3075Public History Project40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
HIST3500History Dissertation40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PRHS3000Independent Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PRHS3001Integrated Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PRHS3700External Placement: Beyond the University40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Candidates who study HIST3500 or HIST3075 MUST study at least 40 credits of Philosophy optional modules.

Candidates who study PRHS3000 or PRHS3001 may study up to 40 credits of Philosophy optional modules.

Candidates who study PRHS3700 MUST study at least 20 credits of Philosophy optional modules.

Candidates may select from any of the baskets A, B or C.

Basket A: Generalist:
(Min 0/Max 60)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHIL3011Philosophy of Language20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL3014Truth20Not running in 202627
PHIL3015Non-Western Philosophy20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL3125Continental Philosophy20Not running in 202627
PHIL3322Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL3700Feminist Philosophy20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL3723War, Terror and Justice20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Basket B: Specialist:
(Min 0/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHIL3012Ancient Philosophy20Not running in 202627
PHIL3112Kant20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Basket C: Applied:
(Min 0/Max 60)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HPSC3113History and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHIL3013Bioethics20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL3016Philosophy of Work and Play20Not running in 202627
PHIL3310Philosophy of Sex and Relationships20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL3855Philosophical Issues in Technology20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates who study one of PRHS3000, PRHS3001 or PRHS3700 MUST study 40 credits from the following History Special Subject modules.

Candidates who study HIST3500 or HIST3075 may study 40 credits from the following History Special Subject modules.

These modules will vary year on year.

Special Subject Basket 1: Medieval & Early Modern History:
(Min 0/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3001Conquest, Convivencia and Conflict: Christian and Muslim Spain, 711-121240Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3071An Animal History of Byzantium, c. 1000-120040Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3498Early Modern Media: Printing and the People in Europe c.1500-c.180040Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3687The Later Elizabethan Age: Politics and Empire40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Special Subject Basket 2: Modern History – International:
(Min 0/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3235Dividing India: The Road to Democracy in South Asia, 1939-195240Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3330Europe in an Age of Total Warfare40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3332The Spanish Civil War, 1936-193940Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3590White Africans: Intimacy, Race and Power40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3695The Korean War40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3930The First World War: A Global Conflict40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Special Subject Basket 3: Modern British History:
(Min 0/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3076Bodies on Display: Histories and Ethics of Human Exhibition in Britain40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3392Eastern Subjects: British Attitudes to India, 1757-185740Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3440The Photographic Age: Photography, Society and Culture in Britain, 1839-194540Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3685Georgians at War40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Special Subject Basket 4: Modern World History:
(Min 0/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3018Pieces of A Man: the art, politics and life of Gil Scott-Heron (1949 – 2011)40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3220Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3240The Harlem Renaissance40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3390The Soviet Sixties: Politics and Society in the USSR, 1953-196840Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Special Subject Basket 5: IHP Britain & Europe:
(Min 0/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3747The Iron Lady Abroad: Margaret Thatcher and UK Foreign Policy from 197940Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Special Subject Basket 6: IHP Global:
(Min 0/Max 40)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3015Indonesia from Revolution to Dictatorship (1945-1967)40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3026People, Water and Sand: An Environmental History of the Middle East40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
HIST3888The Global Vietnam War40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Candidates may take any remaining credits from History optional modules. Only one choice per basket is allowed. These optional modules will vary year on year.

History optional modules: Semester 1:
(Min 0/Max 20)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3100Colonial Bodies: Life and Death in British India, 1757-190020Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST3450American History, American Historians20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
HIST3790Gender and Slavery in Latin America, 1580-188820Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MEDV3411Medieval Women Mystics: Visionaries, Saints and Heretics20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

History optional modules: Semester 2:
(Min 0/Max 20)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
HIST3074The Slave Trade, Slavery and Britain’s Atlantic Empire20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HIST3530Mapping the Middle Ages: Space and Representation from the Pacific to the Atlantic20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MEDV3010Medieval Origin Stories: From the Trojans to the Turks20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Candidates may choose to study 20 credits of Discovery modules.

Last updated: 11/05/2026 16:51:59

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team