History

Hiya I'm starting uni of York in September and was just looking at the course content for my first year. I'm wondering if any current York students can offer some insight on the period topics we have to pick from in the first term? There's quite a lot! Are there any that are considered better than others? Thanks!

Hiya I'm starting uni of York in September and was just looking at the course content for my first year. I'm wondering if any current York students can offer some insight on the period topics we have to pick from in the first term? There's quite a lot! Are there any that are considered better than others? Thanks!

Hi Jamie

Thanks for replying. I've just got a few more questions if that's ok! Do we have to buy any course books or will the library be good enough? And do you know where history is mainly based on campus or does it change around? Also what's the history society like- Do they organise socials and trips or not so much?

I was also wondering if there's a 'best' day to move in at the start of uni? Like do most people move in on Friday, Saturday etc...

I probably sound really keen lol! I'm actually a little nervous because I've got an unconditional offer (I'm on a gap year) so I've definitely got a place in September and want to know what to expect!

(Also thanks Mark for the link )

Thanks for all the info Jamie! I might have a look at the preliminary reading but if it's not necessary then that's fab - means less work over the summer! I guess most of history is in Heslingston West so (if your accommodation's also there) it's all very walkable? Also the history soc sounds pretty active compared to other unis I looked at so that's good- aww it's a shame about your passport though!

One thing that I'm a little worried about is that my birthday's in the middle of fresher's week and idk if that'll be really fun, or if I'll be a little sad because my friends are back home. Do you know anyone who had that and maybe how it went for them? But on a happier note can you recommend some of the best things to do in York and maybe some of the best pubs? I've heard York has a pub for everyday of the year lol Abi

I've been waiting for a thread like this about history from York for ages so thanks Abi. I've got a conditional from York and hopefully I can get the grades so I can go in September. Where can you find the module descriptions as I've had a look on the York applicant 2016 login site and I can't find it there. Josh Hi Josh I don't know if they've changed it since I applied, but we got sent them when our offers were confirmed. There's some descriptions here of what's been offered before, however, they change every year. You do get time to read through your choices before you submit them But it is worth having a look at the sort of things that have been offered before as we do get similar ones running even if a specific one isn't Hope this helps Jamie

History is pretty much almost all taught on Hes West unless you choose some of the medieval modules in second and third year that are based in King's Manor. In any case, there's a direct bus to King's Manor (Number 56), and it's not too far to walk from the main busses from the uni into town Honestly, the campus is very small and compact - have a look on Google maps as we've got Streetview - and if you're on Hes West it shouldn't take you more than fifteen minutes to get to lectures or seminars If you have any other questions about History Soc give me a chance and I'll ask the committee for you I honestly wouldn't worry about your birthday being during Freshers As a STYC last year, one of the things we do with the Freshers is try and get you to get to meet people during your Freshers. In any case, you're probably going out with the rest of your flat, so it's no worries Pubs: My favourite five are House of Trembling Madness in the city centre; Rook and Gaskill on Lawrence Street; The Victoria on Heslington Road; York Tap on the railway station; and, closer to campus, The Deramore in Heslington. If you love pubs, join Real Ale Soc during Freshers Fair! It's the other main society I'm involved with haha.

I've been waiting for a thread like this about history from York for ages so thanks Abi. I've got a conditional from York and hopefully I can get the grades so I can go in September. Where can you find the module descriptions as I've had a look on the York applicant 2016 login site and I can't find it there. Josh

Jamie you're fab with the responses! I didn't think of looking on google maps for the campus map so I'll have to check that out. As for the history soc, this might sound a bit clueless but what sorts of things do you guys do in it? Is it mainly organising events? And the real ale society sounds like as good excuse as any to go out drinking hahaha And yes I'd normally pick pubs over clubs so York was a good choice there I think!

Ah it's no problem at all! One thing to bare in mind is that the Streetview images are a couple of years old now, so don't have some of the redevelopments that have happened on Hes West and don't have Constantine College on Hes East.

For History Soc, we do Meet the Tutors, usually at the start of the year or around January time where you get to meet some of the tutors one-on-one to discuss their career, interests, or just general things, all over free wine (worth going for that if anything...). The socials are mostly themed nights to clubs, such as historical periods (personal advice from experience - don't wear a toga when it's raining in November...) or historical characters, as well as just general nights out; and of course formals at Christmas and in the summer Last year I think the Soc team tried to do an event every 2 - 3 weeks, and they were all pretty good They also organise events to meet alumni to discuss how their careers have gone, and how they've used their degrees; and have guests speakers visit for an informal evening. Last year, the one I remember was Adam Hart Davis of What the Romans Did for Us and I'm sure we also had one from Horrible Histories come along too Oh, and the trips of course...

If you love pubs then you're more than welcome at Real Ale Soc Even if you're not big into ale (though if you are that's an enormous bonus) you're more than welcome to come along just to enjoy the atmosphere of traditional pubs My housemate is on the committee of that, so can try and find out what they've got planned if you like?

The clubs in York are alright. They're not the same as in a city like Leeds or Manchester, but they're generally decent. It's a shame that my favourite, The Duchess, has closed this year Fibbers and Salvation are probably my other two personal favourites. On student nights they're pretty cheap too (avoid town on Saturday at all costs...) Jamie

Oops I forgot to reply! History Soc events sound pretty fun! I'll take your word on the wearing a toga thing lol Also thanks for the invite to the ale soc- I'll probably just wait until freshers fair (where I'll most likely end up signing up for everything anyway! hahaha), but I'll keep an eye out for you guys. And as for the clubs, I'm sure I'll be happy with them - the ones I've got at home aren't flashy so my standards aren't very high! What are the best nights to go into town? (Skipping Saturday of course haha) Abi

Ah freshers' fair... Prepare to sign up for every society and then having them clog up your inbox for the next three years. I can't even remember signing up for half of mine... There's nothing really wrong with the clubs, they're just small if you're used to clubbing in a large city. Certainly their better than the dives around where I come from! In terms of the YUSU nights, just try them all and see what you like.

Apart from Salvation on Wednesdays, which is aimed at sport, they're all pretty standard club nights, just with cheaper drinks deals. You'll find which ones you like and don't.Apart from the YUSU nights, the other main (unofficial) UoY club night (students only) was Phat Fridays at The Duchess, but Duchess has closed now and it's moving to Mansion, so I'll have to see what it's like in September.

Also on Friday's Salvation do another student night, mainly aimed at YSJ called Koh Samui (don't expect a fancy makeover, it just seems to have that name for the cocktail buckets), but quite a few Uni of York people go too.It's alright - drinks are pretty cheap if you fancy spending Saturday with a storming headache in bed haha. There's also a few other YSJ nights that Uni of York students can go to, but I haven't really been to them aside from one or two Skint Tuesdays outside of the UoY term. Fibbers and places like Drawing Board during the week have their own events, but I haven't really been to them, so don't know what they are like.

If you just wanted to go for a drink with friends any weekday night is fine really Most bars/pubs are open seven days a week, and they're usually quiet during weeknights. Most drinks deals are pretty good too - quite a few 2-4-1 cocktail offers in places like Dusk (the names of their cocktails make no sense at all, but I recommend the Milky Bar Kid). Lowther always has cheap student deals on during the week (trebles for a single), and Stone Roses and Parish are always good for predrinks in town. As I said though - avoid Saturday!

Jamie

Hahaha yep that's the plan for freshers fair! And all the clubs sound decent! But I guess that's the perks of living in a student city- you get lots of offers! That'll make a nice change from how expensive it can be here I was also wondering if it's worth joining the gym in York? Is it pretty good for the price? And which bus pass would you recommend getting? Last question haha, did you find there was a pretty big difference between A level and university level for history? I don't know if I'll be a bit out of practice from taking a year out... Abi

GOOD LUCK FOR TOMORROW EVERYONE!

If you have any questions about anything to do with York and History please do keep asking!

All the best!
Jamie

Hi. I've got a place to study History at York this September. I've been offered accomadation in Halifax college (which I've accepted) and I was wondering whether this college is far from the History lectures and seminars? As you've said above, the campus is quite compact, so do you think it really matters where your college is? Thanks! Teresa.