@Twisique, my DS is a second year History student at Durham 
He was going to apply for Economics, but when we were doing an open day at York in Y12/13, I persuaded him to go to the sample History lecture. It was fab (about whether Labour or Tories should be credited with starting the welfare system) and he decided to apply for History instead
He liked York, but preferred Durham (might have been because his then gf was already there doing a joint History degree!) and he loves the college system and particularly the sports and socials! The college he is in is a good match for him - though only lived in last year and is now in a shared house, or would be if not for Covid.
He seems to have to do some units, including Medieval, but has also been able to choose some - Slavery from an African perspective, Civil Rights movement in US, Nazi Europe.... not sure if the deets!
Sadly obvs all online this year, but he says some lecturers are good, others less so - probably the case everywhere! He has formative and summative essays (latter count towards degree) and some exams. I think it depends on the lecturer/unit how it is assessed.