History and Literature (including Year Abroad)

A Bachelor of Arts in History and Literature at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary study of the past and the written word, exploring how history has shaped societies and how literature has reflected and influenced cultural developments across different periods and regions. This program is designed to provide students with critical analytical skills, contextual knowledge, and a deep understanding of historical and literary texts, enabling them to interpret complex sources and develop well-rounded perspectives on various historical eras and literary movements. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including ancient civilizations, medieval history, modern history, classical and contemporary literature, and the social and political contexts of different time periods. A distinctive feature of this degree is the Year Abroad, which offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different cultural setting by studying at a partner university overseas. This experience enhances language skills, intercultural awareness, and adaptability, enriching the academic journey and personal growth. Throughout their studies, students will engage with primary sources, partake in debates, and undertake research projects, developing essential skills such as critical thinking, written and oral communication, and academic writing. The program also prepares graduates for careers in areas such as education, publishing, research, cultural heritage, and media, or for further postgraduate study. The University of Essex’s supportive academic community and access to extensive resources ensure students are well-equipped to succeed and pursue their academic and professional goals. Emphasizing both historical understanding and literary analysis, this program fosters a nuanced appreciation of human culture and society, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to become informed, culturally aware individuals and professionals.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available. We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

• The Making of the Modern World, 1776-1989 or Society, Culture and Politics in Europe, 1500-1750
• Introduction to Literature
• The Enlightenment
• And choose 30 credits from a range of History, Literature or outside options.

Year 2

• Making Histories: Concepts, themes and sources
• Choose two literature options from: Early Modern Literature, Versions of Modernity, United States Literature Since 1850 or Approaches to Text and
• Choose 45 credits from a range of history options

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

• History Independent Research Project or Independent Study in Literature and
• Choose from a range of history options and literature options

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above).
• We welcome applications from students whose A-levels do not include History.

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The BA in History and Literature at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum that combines the study of historical events, cultures, and contexts with the analysis of literary texts from various periods and regions. This programme is designed to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of history and literature. Students will explore a wide range of topics, including social, political, and cultural developments across different eras, while engaging with diverse literary works that reflect and shape historical narratives. The Year Abroad component provides an invaluable opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a different cultural and academic environment, often studying at partner universities across Europe or beyond. This experience enhances language skills, intercultural competence, and global awareness, preparing graduates for diverse careers in fields such as education, publishing, media, research, and international relations.

The programme’s structure typically includes core modules that establish foundational knowledge in both disciplines, along with optional modules allowing students to tailor their degree to particular interests, such as Medieval literature, modern history, gender studies, or postcolonial studies. Students are encouraged to undertake independent research projects and participate in seminars, workshops, and discussions that foster independent thought and scholarly engagement. The Department of History and Literature at Essex has a strong reputation for its research-led teaching, with faculty members who are experts in their fields, contributing to a vibrant academic community. Graduates of this programme benefit from excellent academic support, opportunities for internships, and access to resources such as the university’s extensive library collections, archives, and digital databases.

Overall, the BA in History and Literature at Essex is ideal for students seeking a challenging and enriching academic experience that combines the analytical rigor of historical inquiry with the interpretative skills of literature analysis. The inclusion of a Year Abroad emphasizes the university’s commitment to internationalization and preparing students for global careers. By completing this programme, students develop a nuanced understanding of the past and its influence on the present, while enhancing critical reading, writing, and research skills essential for professional success.