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Undergraduate study
History (Online)

History (Online)* BA (Hons)

Are you interested in why the world is the way it is, and how it came to be that way? To fully understand the present, we must look to the past. Dive into our BA (Hons) History (Online) course to learn how history can shape your future.

 

Course overview

Explore history through the ages, from modern and contemporary European history to the ancient world. Dive into social and cultural history and choose topics that spark your interest and complement your career goals. If you are in full or part-time work and want to enter the field, or enhance your skills, this course is ideal for you.

Develop your understanding of historical investigation, interrogating the relationships between sources, theory and interpretation. Gain desirable transferrable skills to take with you into your career, including critical thinking, verbal and written communication, and research.

Top reasons to study this course:

> Expert teaching: our staff are internationally published, subject-matter experts with decades of experience across the sphere.
> Flexible learning: all your course materials are online and can be accessed at any time, so you choose how, when and where you study.
> Supportive environment: as a member of our online community, you are encouraged to find your voice. You gain support specific to your needs, from professional to personal supervision.

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* Subject to University approval

 

Course details

Course structure

Year 1 core modules

America: From Watergate, Trump and Beyond

The US is more divided now than it has been for quite some time – or so goes a popular theory. Explore the factors that have led to the current political situation in the US, where republicans and democrats are embroiled in a political struggle and culture war that centres on issues surrounding women’s rights, immigration, healthcare, climate change and science, taxation, the media, the powers of congress, and the presidency. You examine the idea that the divisions among the political elite and most politically active, are mirrored within US society as a whole.

This is a 20-credit module.

Becoming a Historian: Sources, Skills and Contested Histories

The academic discipline of history comprises polarised interpretations, debates, arguments, passions, and struggles to provide the most compelling and most widely accepted explanation of why history happened as it did, and why other futures did not come to pass. Examine two case studies that form one of the most contested areas of historiographical debate. You learn about a crucial period in history and gain a deeper understanding of how the discipline of history works, acquiring skills that will lay important foundations for your future studies.

This is a 40-credit module.

Britain and Europe from 1870 to the Present

Gain an overview of Britain and Europe from 1870 to the present. Take a chronological approach, from the unification of Germany and Italy, through to two world wars, the Cold War and the European Union. Within the British political history strand of the module, you investigate colonialism, the impact of two world wars on British politics and society, the implications of the introduction of the welfare state and Keynesian economic policies during the consensus period, and the shift towards neo-liberal forms of governance and politics in the late twentieth century and beyond. Within the European political history strand of the module, the chronological approach is shared, but you investigate these years with a more international, European focus. Beginning with a study of the major unifications in 1870, the strand investigates, WW1, the emergence of authoritarian and totalitarian dictatorships in interwar Europe, WW2, the Cold War, and post-Cold war military and economic integration.

This is a 40-credit module.

Empire: From the Ancient World to the Americas

For much of human history, empires were the most common form of political organisation. Examine one of history's most important political phenomena and draw comparisons across space and time. Examine empires, from the ancient world to our own day, including analysing the question of whether the current global hegemonic power, the US, should be seen as an empire. Think conceptually, transnationally, and across time, while rooting your studies in concrete historical examples. 

This is a 20-credit module.

 

Year 2 core modules

Future Directions: Research, Careers and Development in the Humanities

Develop graduate skills in preparation for further study, employment or lifelong learning, through engagement with our Student Futures team and humanities practitioners. Gain insight into career pathways and explore the opportunities available to humanities graduates, including as educators, policy-makers, publishers, facilitators, communicators, and creatives. Work on an individual project, either work focused or academic focused.

This is a 20-credit module.

Histories of the North East

Investigate the history of the North East and Teesside, and gain a deeper understanding of the region, both past and present. Learn about the area’s history, culture, and society through topics such as its foundation, economic development, demographic history, social structure, and political outlook.

This is a 20-credit module.

Revolutionary Change: Mass Movements, Peoples and Cultures

Examine one of the key phenomena of the modern age - revolutionary change - and how this has shaped the modern world. The American Revolution, French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Chinese Revolution, anti-colonial revolutions, Iranian Revolution and the counter-revolutions of 1989 - 1991 have been influential across the globe.

Investigate theoretical approaches to understanding the phenomenon of revolution, the political revolution and change. And research other types of revolutionary change in society such as those in the economic, technological, social and cultural fields. You explore counter-revolutionary resistance and attempts to reverse change as the counter-revolution has been, and remains, key to modern history and politics.

This is a 40-credit module.

War and Society

You examine the impact of the First World War on the societies of the major participants. And consider how the war influenced social change, either by accelerating or preventing it, and whether any of that social changes had lasting effects.

You work in groups to develop an agreed theme. And you research questions connected to the impact of war on society to enhance your comparative lens.

This is a 40-credit module.

 

Year 3 core modules

Dissertation

Engage in a piece of advanced research into politics or international relations, allowing you to follow a theme or particular interest under the guidance of a supervisor. You are prepared for the workplace, enabling you to apply the skills you have acquired and developed during the course.

This is a 40-credit module.

History and Gender

Through examining primary source material and current historiography, develop an understanding of significant gender-related themes in history. Become conversant in debates on the current status of gender history as an academic discipline and assess its influence in the wider culture. Explore how economic circumstances, work, sex, marriage, motherhood, fatherhood, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, politics and culture have shaped the human experience and what this tells us about the societies in which humanity has lived.

This is a 20-credit module.

History in Depth

Build on your skills in using sources and critical engagement with historiography. Under the guidance of experts in the field, undertake in-depth case studies of particular themes and periods in history, with your learning centred on an increased focus and engagement with primary source material. Further develop your own research skills and enhance your capacity to engage in critical thinking, playing a central role into your transition to a capable and confident graduate ready for the world of work or further study.

This is a 40-credit module.

Nazis, Fascists and Anti-Fascists

The victory of the Allies in the Second World War seemed to mark the end of dictatorship. However, the persistence and revival of the extreme right suggests that we're witnessing a rebirth of fascism. Using theory and conceptual approaches, you explore historical and contemporary forms of fascism and anti-fascism, developing a theoretical and historical understanding of the past, present and future.

This is a 20-credit module.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

This course is delivered completely online. You learn through lectures, seminars, guided discussion and assigned reading.

How you are assessed

You receive continuous feedback from tutors and peers through discussion forums.

You complete a range of informal and formal assessments. Formal assessment includes a dissertation project, primary source analyses, short independent research projects, essays and knowledge exchange projects.


Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services

Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs

 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

For entry to the three-year programme, a typical offer is 96 -112 tariff points from at least two A-levels, a T level or equivalent, and GCSE grade 4 (grade C) in English.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements


You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL

 

Employability

Career opportunities

A variety of career paths are open to you, including law, accountancy, social work, librarianship, journalism, public relations, teaching, retail management and local government work.

 

Learning platform

Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is the platform you use to access your online course

 

Teesside University online learning courses are delivered through the Brightspace Learning Environment.

Here are some of the benefits.

  • You can use it on your smartphone, tablet and computer.
  • And you can use it anytime, so that you can plan your learning to fit your own schedule.
  • It's easy to use and navigate.
  • Modules are set out by topics and themes. You can use the progress bar to understand where you are in your modules, and appreciate your achievements.
  • We support you to become familiar with your VLE, helping you to start learning quickly.
  • You get feedback, help and guidance from tutors throughout your course through the VLE, and you can ask questions at any time.
  • Our tutors use a live activity feed to keep you updated about your course.
  • You can create a student profile, collaborate with other students and take part in online discussion forums.

Software requirements

 
 

Online learning

Online learning allows you to get a university-level qualification from the comfort of your own home or workplace. You'll have access to all of the world-class teaching and support that Teesside University has to offer, but all of your lectures, tutorials and assessments will take place online.

Find out more

University of the Year

Teesside University was named University of the Year at the Edufuturists Awards 2022.

Full-time

  • Not available full-time
 

Part-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for all applicants
£4,620

More details about our fees

Apply online (part-time)

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Email: ssshladmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


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