History

Challenging and diverse, our flagship History programme builds on the Department’s research strengths and has been designed to provide a thorough training in the study of history across a wide range of periods and themes.

You consider history from a variety of perspectives, including literature, architecture, design, media and heritage, to explore how people lived in the past and what factors shaped their environment, beliefs and culture. You can accumulate credit towards your chosen award at your own pace, and you can study towards a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or, on completion of a dissertation, an MA.

What you study

A small number of core modules provide the foundation for historical research. The programme fosters the integration of archival and secondary sources necessary for original research and writing. Negotiated learning modules also allow you to agree a course of study with specific learning objectives and a clearly defined assessment.

How you learn

At postgraduate level it is important that you take an active role in structuring your own learning experience, and also engage with the relevant methods and underpinning theories of the disciplines you encounter. At the same time we recognise that students embark on their study with different levels of skills and awareness of the discipline, especially in the case of mature students perhaps returning to study. The Research Skills and Methods module is designed to address these issues, involving a high degree of regular tutor contact, a firm foundation of research, interpretation and writing skills, as well as an introduction to a range of methodological approaches and historiographies.

How you are assessed

It is intended that you should also experience a variety of different types of assessment, although the traditional extended essay plays a large part in the overall picture. There may also be ‘formative’ types of assessment which do not contribute to your final mark but have a useful diagnostic and developmental function. Some modules include a portfolio of exercises or short pieces, a group project, case studies or even a practical project. There are, you may be pleased to learn, no exams!

Career opportunities

Typically graduates go on to roles in teaching, museum work, heritage management and/or administration. You may also choose to pursue further academic study - MPhil or PhD.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have an undergraduate degree in history or a cognate discipline, or have other relevant experience or equivalent qualifications. Tutors will be happy to discuss entry requirements on a flexible basis.

For additional information please see the undergraduate and postgraduate entry requirements in our admissions section

More information

• 
  

• History
  More information and courses in History