History (including Year Abroad)

History (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the past, equipping students with critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of historical processes across different periods and regions. This programme is designed for students who are passionate about uncovering the causes and effects of historical events, understanding diverse cultures, and examining how the past shapes the present and future. Throughout the course, students will engage with a wide range of topics, including ancient civilizations, medieval societies, modern-era developments, and contemporary history, fostering a broad and nuanced perspective on historical narratives.

One of the unique features of this programme is the Year Abroad, which provides students with the opportunity to spend an academic year studying at a partner university abroad. This experience enhances linguistic skills, intercultural awareness, and global perspectives, making graduates more adaptable and competitive in an increasingly interconnected world. During the year abroad, students may participate in seminars, lectures, and research projects, building networks and gaining firsthand experience of historical scholarship in different cultural contexts.

The curriculum combines core modules in historical methods, historiography, and research skills with specialist options in areas such as British history, European history, imperialism, social history, and more. Students are encouraged to develop independent research projects and are supported by experienced faculty members who are active researchers in their fields. Additionally, the programme fosters employability skills, including critical analysis, written and oral communication, and project management, preparing graduates for careers in education, media, research, archives, heritage management, and beyond.

Assessment methods include essays, presentations, research projects, and exams, designed to evaluate both students' knowledge and their analytical capabilities. The University of Essex provides excellent facilities, including access to extensive archives, libraries, and digital resources, ensuring students have all the tools necessary for successful historical research. Support services, academic guidance, and opportunities for extracurricular engagement are integral parts of the student experience, promoting academic excellence and personal development.

Overall, studying History (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers a rich academic environment, international exposure, and practical skills that prepare students for a wide range of professional paths. It is ideal for those with a curious mind, a passion for understanding human experiences, and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to knowledge about the past.

Detailed Course Facts

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

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are choice and flexibility.
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 each year). Each year you take a number of compulsory core credits which give you the necessary training in the discipline; around this core you are free to choose the modules you want to do. Each year there is a wide range of optional modules to choose from.
You can do as much History as you want, but we also encourage you in your first year to choose at least one module in another subject (an A-level subject you really enjoy, or a completely new subject you would like to try out!)This means that if you successfully complete your first year, then you may be qualified to enter the second year of a different course if you wanted to do so: for example, politics, philosophy or sociology, or a joint honours degree, combining History with another subject (providing places are available). It is also possible for you to continue your interest in a subject other than History in your second year, where you have the option of doing a 30-credit module in a different department.
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

• Society, Culture and Politics in Europe 1500-1750
• History Workshop
• And choose 75 credits from a range of History options or outside options.

Year 2

• Making Histories: Concepts, Themes and Sources
• Choose from a range of History options and one optional outside option.

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

• Special Subject
• Independent Research Project;
• Plus a range of optional History 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 History programme at the University of Essex offers students an in-depth exploration of the past, covering a diverse range of historical periods, regions, and themes. Designed to develop critical, analytical, and research skills, this programme enables students to understand the complexities of historical events and their lasting impacts on contemporary society. The course structure typically includes modules on British, European, and global history, alongside specialized topics such as social history, political history, cultural history, and economic history. One of the distinctive features of the programme is the Year Abroad, which provides students the opportunity to study in a partner university abroad for a full year, immersing themselves in a different cultural and academic environment. This international experience aims to enhance language skills, intercultural understanding, and global perspectives, which are highly valued in many career paths. Students are encouraged to develop their own research interests under the supervision of expert academics, producing a dissertation or research project that reflects their personal focus. The programme involves a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent study, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Career prospects for graduates include roles in education, heritage, museums, archiving, journalism, government, and international organizations. The university’s strong links with cultural institutions and research centers provide additional opportunities for internships and networking. The teaching staff are experienced historians who are active in their fields, contributing to contemporary debates and research. The programme is suitable for students with a keen interest in understanding historical processes and interpreting primary and secondary sources critically. It prepares students for further academic study or for entering a wide range of professional sectors where analytical and research skills are essential. Overall, the BA History (including Year Abroad) at Essex aims to produce well-rounded, knowledgeable graduates equipped with the skills and understanding to analyze the past and apply their learning to current issues.