Robert scores a double First

The rise of Hitler and the horror of the Holocaust; the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Watergate scandal; Robert Birtwhistle has explored all these and more as part of his First Class BA (Honours) History degree at the University of Teesside. By achieving a First Robert has come top of his course, and is also the first University of Teesside recipient of the Historical Association award, given to the best History student.

Robert, 21, from Marton, Middlesbrough came to the University with three ‘A’ levels in English Language, Geography and History from Teesside Tertiary College, including a grade A for History.

Robert said: “I’ve liked History since my GCSE when I studied European dictatorships in Italy and Germany. There are so many aspects to explore, such as the political, the economic and the social. I looked at other University’s History degrees before choosing Teesside’s, I liked the diverse range of modules on offer.”

During his course Robert particularly enjoyed German and American History. With the latter Robert examined the Cold War and the Kennedy and Nixon eras. He said: “I was fascinated by all the different political intrigues, and finding out new facts. I didn’t realise how close we were to a Third World War during the Cuban Missile crisis. The University’s Learning Resource Centre was really good for German and modern History, with plenty of computers and History lecturers were always available for a chat if you needed any help.”

Robert is now aiming for a career as a secondary History teacher. Throughout his degree Robert worked with local primary and secondary children, as part of the Meteor programme, which aims to show local pupils that higher education in within their grasp. Robert worked as a student mentor in three schools, helping with study skills and boosting pupils’ confidence. He said: “You’re in between a teacher and a friend and it’s such a positive experience. One of the primary pupils asked me if you needed to be good at Maths to go to University, and I told him I was studying History not Maths, so hopefully I’ve shown what different subjects are available ”.

Robert is the son of Pauline and David Birtwhistle and a former pupil of Acklam Grange School.

For more information on the BA (Honours) degree in History call 01642 384019 or check the University of Teesside’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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