History 2012 Entry

Honours Degree

Studying the past can teach us about who we are today and this degree introduces you to innovative ways of exploring history and its role in shaping the modern world.

History is an ideal subject for people who are curious about the origins of contemporary social, political and cultural contexts and the challenges facing humanity in the future.

Just as people today experience the world around them differently, so history is written, read and represented from a range of perspectives. You’ll develop skills and techniques enabling you to engage with historical evidence and appreciate a range of interpretations.

With expertise in American, British, European and Russian history, our staff will introduce you to a range of approaches to history, through the lenses of local studies, gender, culture, politics and the experience of everyday life in the past.

As part of your training you’ll learn how to conduct your own research and present your findings, and you’ll gain hands-on experience using documents and ephemera from archives and local records offices.

You will develop critical skills in analysing history and in exploring the past through visual culture, manuscripts and the printed word.

Some of our modules

Crime and Punishment: Case Studies in History
The Victorians: Experiences, Identities and Interpretations
Black America 1890-1970
Soviet History
The English Revolution
Twentieth-century Britain

Benefits

examine the historical origins of issues of contemporary importance
develop independent learning skills
gain practical research experience

Career paths

archive or museum management
teaching
local government

Are there any placements for this course?

An optional six-week placement is available on our Museums: Theory and Practice module.

How will the course be assessed?

Coursework, exams, assessments and presentations.

Entry requirements

Points for degree: 300 using the UCAS Tariff system

Study options

Full-time and part-time

Location

Francis Close Hall

Profile: Matthew Hallam

"The people I have met, the things I have learnt and the experiences I have gained will remain with me forever."

BA (Hons) History

The University made me feel at home as soon as I first entered the gates. The atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the lecturers I met encouraged me to choose to come here. There is variation between the campuses, which is a big plus. You can experience the feeling of a large campus at Park or a tight-knit community at Francis Close Hall.

The modularity in degree pathways is a massive bonus for prospective students. My course began with a broad overview of very differing subjects and developed into specialising into areas that I am most interested in. I feel that my degree is specific to me and not a generic one. I have gained a wide variety of knowledge on things both past and present and indeed their causes, effects and reactions. I have learnt how History is important because we learn from it, not about it. I have been a course representative for History for each of the 3 years that I have been here and I have attended meetings for the History Society as well.

While at university, I have been a Student Ambassador, visiting schools and helping to host open days, as well as attending the social events associated with being an ambassador. Student ambassadors provide support at open days which helps to make the day very comprehensive for visiting prospective students.

I have made a lot of friends during my time at university and also discovered a lot about myself. I’ve learnt how mistaken I was about the things that I presumed I would like or even dislike.

I have attended Blues evenings held by the History department which were absolutely fantastic. I have volunteered in local schools in order to further my application to become a teacher. This has helped me to understand positive and negative aspects of teaching as a career choice. My ambition is to be recruited to a PGCE scheme and become a qualified teacher.

I have enjoyed my time at University far more than I ever thought I would. The people I have met, the things I have learnt and the experiences I have gained will remain with me forever.

1003-23

View profile