Why Liberal Arts was the course for me
Liberal Arts is an interdisciplinary course, meaning it allows you to study a variety of modules from various degrees.
For me, the freedom to choose which modules I wanted to study is why I chose York. Unlike other universities I looked at, York doesn’t require you to take a major which would essentially dominate your degree. This way, I study each and every discipline which interests me, without being tied down to one in particular. In fact, if you find the module you are studying in semester 1 just isn’t for you, there is no need to continue studying it during semester 2.
Liberal Arts enables you to be curious and explore as much as you would like, rather than limiting your choices. I’ve found each module equally gratifying and exciting because I have chosen and tailored my choices to my own interests. This is important because a degree focusing on one subject wouldn’t have given me this opportunity.
Course Structure
Currently in Year 1, I study 3 modules per semester. The compulsory core module connects fellow Liberal Arts students and evaluates the humanities, running through your degree. There are then two option modules in semester 1, the same structure followed in semester 2. For both semesters, these modules are chosen by yourself- really epitomising the amount of choice available to you. Currently, I am studying a theatre and a film module. These have allowed me to study the areas of the two that I find interesting, without having to study parts that I don’t find as interesting.
Next semester, I’ll be studying a philosophy module and a module about digital media, culture and communication. Even these choices demonstrate how Liberal Arts promotes interest without denying curiosity, supporting those who have a multitude of fascinations.
The opportunities provided by Liberal Arts
Through studying Liberal Arts, you are given various opportunities to explore topics that you’d otherwise be unable to. You can also choose to take a year abroad, too. Staff are incredibly supportive and their priority is to help you have the best degree experience possible. There is even a central study space for Liberal Arts situated in the picturesque Heslington Hall. This gives us a real sense of identity within such a variable degree.
Meeting people
With the help of the course structure and the University’s college system, Liberal Arts is the ideal course for someone who looks forward to meeting new people from all across the university. The exceptionally helpful staff provide a unique and effective teaching style suited to their specific module. This ensures that we get the best possible teaching methods. Furthermore, the core modules within the degree join together a group of people who are all undergoing a similar, yet individually unique, adventure. This way, meeting people on the same optional modules is simple, but there will remain the same group of students who will study alongside you for the entirety of your degree.
Not only that, but York is one of the few universities in the UK which has a college system. This means that students are arranged into colleges but continue to integrate during their studies. Ultimately, meeting people across colleges, as well as the many people you will meet during your modules, means that York is the ideal place to branch out and meet new and exciting people! Both East and West campuses can be explored to your heart’s content. There are study spaces, lecture halls, and cafes on both. Personally, I find the Piazza Building on East a great place for some study time, but equally enjoy attending lectures on West campus.
To conclude…
Liberal Arts at York has been so great because the variety of module choices ensure that the degree is personalised to you. This encourages curiosity and engagement with topics you truly are interested in, without feeling hindered by expectations to study a single disciplined degree that might not interest you as much. The variety available in Liberal Arts really makes the course unique and the perfect choice for people who want to develop their critical thinking skills across a range of fields.
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