#sam-the-writer

Hey there sorry for taking a little while to reply.

First of all a massive well done on getting your offer. English is a really competitive subject and York is on the of the best places there is to study it.

If you say that literature still interests you but that history is also calling, I strongly suggest that you look at the joint History and English course here at York. From the friends I have who do it, they all seem to enjoy it immensely and it basically gives you the opportunity to do both. I’m told that English at York is particularly good because you get to study literature from historical periods. So you can study medieval literature and thus be doing history as well.

I’m afraid I can’t give any specific advice about switching courses either now at the conditional stage or when you have it as firm. But, what I suggest you do is ring admissions at York and ask them about what the process might be for switching.

As for the straight history course. It’s great, I really enjoy it. York is particularly good for medieval history so if that interests you it’s ideal, but the early modern and modern options are really good as well. And every lecturer in the department I’ve ever had is great. Loads are THE expert in their field. So for example, the tutor for my current module about Joan of Arc was the person who actually translated to english the records of Joan of Arc’s trial. His translations have been used by nearly every other english speaking historian of the subject since. 

There are loads of opportunities to study global history. You can study everywhere from Early Modern South East Asia to 19th century Iran to Tsarist Russia.

I think the History course here at York is great, I chose it over Warwick and Exeter and that was 100% the right decision. It’s just a great course with a great department.