BA History and Economics
About this course
The BA (Hons) History and Economics, an undergraduate degree spanning Economics and History, combines quantitative analysis with the study of past societies. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods. The curriculum allows students to complete a History Dissertation in the final year. The first year covers foundational ground through Principles of Economics, Societies and Economies in World History, and Evidence and Methods. Year two progresses to Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy, Historical Thinking, and Econometric Analysis. The final year focuses on advanced study through Contemporary Economic Issues and Analysis. Optional modules allow specialisation in areas such as economic history, development economics, environmental economics, financial markets, and diverse historical periods ranging from the medieval era to the twentieth century, alongside a History Dissertation.
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: AAA including either History or Classical Civilisation. A level Mathematics is a preferred subject, but not essential. If you do not have an A level in Mathematics then GCSE Mathematics Grade 7(A) is essential. IB: 36 points, including 6 at Higher Level in History. Grade 5 in Higher Level Mathematics or 7 in Standard Level Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) is preferred, but not essential. If you do not have HL or SL Mathematics then MYP Mathematics Grade 6 or GCSE Mathematics Grade 7(A) is essential. BTEC: DDD with additional A Levels or equivalent qualifications in either History or Classical Civilisation. A-Level Mathematics is a preferred subject, but not essential. If you do not have an A level in Mathematics then GCSE Mathematics Grade 7(A) is essential. We may also consider relevant units in your BTEC as A Level/GCSE Mathematics equivalent.
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA History and Economics (VL11) at the University of York for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAA at A level.
What students say
Based on about 195 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 260 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 3%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 70 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 56%
- Working and studying: 21%
- Further study: 13%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 43%
- Administrative occupations: 13%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 11%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 7%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 4%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 330 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 20%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 13%
- London: 27%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- A degree: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Principles of Economics
- Societies and Economies in World History
- Evidence and Methods
- Foundations of Economic Theory
- Maths for Economists
- Knowledge and Belief in World History
- Probability and Statistics
- Microeconomic Theory
- Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy
- Historical Thinking
- Econometric Analysis
- Topics in Economic History
- Development Economics
- Econometric Theory
- Alternative Perspectives in Economics
- Industrial Organisation Strategy
- Environmental Economics
- Empire and Cultural Exchange in Asia 1500-1700
- Black Radicalism
- Ancien Régime France, 1610-1789
- China: An Economic and Environmental History, 1870-1970
- Difficult Pasts and Haunted Presents: Memory and its Discontents c. 1945- c. 2010
- Before the Mongols: Nomadic Empires of Central Eurasia, 900-1200
- Using and Abusing the Past in Britain, 1835-2018
- Gender, Enlightenment and Revolution in Eighteenth-Century Europe
- From the Global Shadows: Africa and the World since the 1950s
- Health for all? International Health from Colonial Medicine to Covid Vaccine
- Powerful Impressions: Culture and Politics in the Post-1945 United States
- Heterosexual Africa? Sexuality, Power, and Politics in Africa since 1900
- Persecution and Toleration in Early Modern Britain
- Catherine the Great
- Social Science and Modern Britain, c1880-c1970
- Crime and Society in Britain and Ireland since 1750
- Bankers, Merchants, and Poets: Florence and the Roots of the Renaissance
- Communist Europe: Crisis, Transformation & Memory after the Second World War
- Historical Fictions and Frictions: Fictionalising the Past
- Chivalry, Identity and Love 1350-1450
- Vikings and Historians: Historiographical Dialogues through the Ages
- The Scientific Revolution, 1500-1700
- Containing Multitudes: Inequality and the City in Britain and its Empire post-1800
- Contemporary Economic Issues and Analysis
- History Dissertation
- Applied Econometrics
- Bubbles, Panics and Crashes
- Commodities Markets and Derivative Securities
- Econometric Methods for Research
- Economics of Social Policy
- Experimental and Behavioural Economics
- Financial and Time-Series Econometrics
- Game Theory
- Health Economics
- International Economic Growth and Development
- International Economics
- Labour Economics
- Macroeconomics: Topics in Theory for Policy
- Monetary Economics
- Political Economics
- Structure and Regulation of Financial Markets
- Empires
- Violence
- Animals
- Commemorations
- Travel
- Beauty
- Communisms
- From Colonial to Post-Colonial States? The Twentieth-Century Caribbean
- Imperial Japan, 1890-1950
- Popular Politics? The History of British Political Culture since 1945
- The French Wars of Religion
- Race, Place and Health in Britain and its Empire, 1880-1960
- Hong Kong: Decolonisation and Development, 1945-97
- Thomas More: Learning, Politics and Religion in England, 1500-35
- Ploughing the Sea? The Spanish American Wars of Independence, 1750-1830
- Rome Reborn: Culture and Society c.1575-c.1655
- Possession: Objects and Ownership in Early Modern England, 1650-1750
- Prussia and the Unification of Germany, 1815-1918
- Mao and Maoism
- Reading and Writing in Medieval England
- The First Islamic Empire
- Exiled Lives: English Nuns in Catholic Europe, 1600-1800
- Poverty and the Welfare State in Post-War Britain
- Rebellion and Revolution: Britain, 1637-1653
- Joan of Arc
- Revolution in the Streets: Faith, Poverty, & Religious Ferment, c.1200
- Francis Bacon: Myth, Magic and Morals
- Black British History and Decolonisation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History and Economics at University of York earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £43,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £16,500 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of BA History and Economics at University of York do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA History and Economics at University of York?
91% 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 Economics at University of York?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 156 UCAS points.
Does BA History and Economics at University of York include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA History and Economics at University of York?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.