History and Music

A Joint Honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each Single Honours course, but you’ll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects. You’ll also undertake a major research project in either subject in your final year.

History

In your first year you’ll study core modules that introduce you to concepts such as historiography, and develop historical skills like working with primary sources. In the following year, you’ll choose from a wide range of optional modules, keeping a balance between earlier and later periods. You could study the Crusades, Imperial Germany or Mao Zedong and China since 1949. In your final year, you’ll focus on a specific theme or topic in your special subject and develop your research and critical skills.

Music

You’ll choose from core modules in your first year in music in culture, theory, history, practice, science and society. From there you’ll develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as solo or ensemble performance, music technology or psychology, aesthetics, notation, analysis or composition. In addition, in your final year, you’ll demonstrate your skills and knowledge through your research project. The combination of Joint Honours subjects you study may affect the modules that are open to you.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Historiography and Historical Skills 20 credits
• Primary Sources for the Historian: An Introduction to Documentary study 20 credits
• Studying in a Digital Age (Arts) 5 credits

Optional modules

• Understanding Music 20 credits
• Composition 20 credits
• Performance 20 credits
• Ensemble Performance 20 credits

Year 2

Optional modules

• The Crusades and the Crusader States in the 12th Century 20 credits
• Urban Experience and Identity in Early Modern Europe 20 credits
• Britain and the Industrial Revolution 20 credits
• Composition 20 credits
• Performance 20 credits
• Aesthetics and Criticism 20 credits

Year 3

Optional modules

• The Harlem Renaissance: Black Culture and Politics 1919-1940 40 credits
• The Cultural History of Venice, 1509-1797 40 credits
• The Soviet Sixties: Politics and Society in the USSR, 1953-1968 40 credits
• Composition 40 credits
• Performance 40 credits
• Music Psychology 40 credits

For more information on typical modules, read History and Music BA in the course catalogue

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research.

We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a Final Year Research Project on a topic of your own choice.

Assessment

We also use different types of assessment. Usually we use a mixture of exams and essays, but you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds – for example, you’ll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique, structuring an essay and public speaking if you need them.