BA History and Philosophy
About this course
BA in History and Philosophy is a joint honours degree centred on the historical and philosophical analysis of human thought, society and culture. Students complete a final-year project in either history or philosophy, alongside a history special subject. The first year covers core foundations through modules such as Exploring History, How to do Philosophy, Diverse Histories of Britain and Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy. The second year introduces specialized methods via Philosophical Method (for joint honours) and History in Practice, alongside optional modules covering topics such as political philosophy, moral philosophy, epistemology and modern history. The final year involves compulsory study in major historical periods alongside a wide variety of optional philosophy modules spanning bioethics, aesthetics, feminist philosophy and ancient philosophy.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB EPQ: ABB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. IB: 35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 79%
- Learning opportunities: 61%
- Assessment and feedback: 66%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 48 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 61%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 9%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 7%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 170 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 19%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 36%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Exploring History
- How to do Philosophy
- Diverse Histories of Britain
- Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy
- Faith, Knowledge and Power, 1500-1750
- The Medieval World in Ten Objects
- Medieval Lives: Identities, Cultures and Beliefs
- Global Empires
- Global Decolonization
- The Making of the Twentieth Century
- The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong
- Knowledge, Self and Reality
- Philosophy Meets the World
- Thinking About Race
- Philosophical Method (for joint honours)
- History in Practice
- Past Thinkers: History of Modern Philosophy
- How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy
- Do The Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy
- How Do You Know? Topics in Epistemology
- God, Thought and the World: Topics in Philosophy of Religion
- Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics
- Medieval Masculinities
- Patient Voices: Medicine and Healthcare in the Middle Ages
- Lost Colonists: Failure and the Family in Southern Africa
- The Global Caribbean
- Later Victorian England: Politics, Society and Culture
- The Lucky Country? The Social History of Australia in the 20th Century
- Final Year Project (in either History or Philosophy)
- History Special Subject
- 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
- Bioethics
- War, Terror and Justice
- Philosophy of Sex and Relationships
- Feminist Philosophy
- Kant
- Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
- Continental Philosophy
- Non-Western Philosophy
- Ancient Philosophy
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Work and Play
- Caribbean Identity
- American History, American Historians
- Writing Intimate Histories
- Gender and Slavery in Latin America, 1580-1888
- Medieval Women Mystics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History and Philosophy at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £42,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA History and Philosophy at University of Leeds do next?
84% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA History and Philosophy at University of Leeds?
79% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA History and Philosophy at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 160 UCAS points.
Does BA History and Philosophy at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA History and Philosophy at University of Leeds?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.