About this course
Introduction
The course allows you to combine English and History, giving you an excellent grounding and extensive choice in both subjects.
English at UWE has a growing reputation for delivering high quality courses in a very active and vibrant research environment. Our English programme is distinctive in the areas of the Literature and Culture of the Long Nineteenth Century, Shakespeare, Children's Writing, American Literature and Culture, Gothic Writing, Travel Writing and Contemporary Fictions. Students benefit greatly from access to modules at every level that are designed with current research specialisms underlying their coherence and relevance. Creative writing is an integral part of the learning experience at all levels and leads to an option to write a long Creative Writing project at level three. Our assessment is among the most diverse and exciting in the country and you will have the opportunity to edit anthologies, write critical reviews, engage in debate, develop your own creativity, write travelogues and pastiches, as well as become familiar with the rigour and depth of the traditional essay. We have put students' love of literature and reading at the heart of our programme to ensure that you develop as passionate readers. In English at UWE we foster a particularly student-centred approach that leads to a strong sense of community between staff and students. All English students have a Personal Academic Tutor throughout their studies and staff are always available for one-to-one meetings.
History at UWE incorporates a broad chronology of history, including Medieval, Early Modern, Modern and Contemporary History in areas such as Britain, Ireland, Europe, Russia and America. Staff research expertise encompasses International, Imperial, Social, Political, Economic and Cultural History, all of which feeds directly into our teaching.Most History modules are based around a programme of one or two one-hour lectures and one-hour or two-hour long seminars per week. At level one you will receive around 12 hours of contact time per week. Lectures are intended to introduce the subject, discuss interpretations and approaches and provide guidance for further reading. A seminar programme is normally linked to the lectures and issues raised there may be subjected to more detailed scrutiny or criticism through discussion. The primary purpose of the seminar is to provide you with the opportunity to discuss ideas collectively in a critical and thoughtful manner. On several occasions tutors will meet you individually to discuss your assessed work. Tutors also have office hours when you can discuss your work or your progress more generally, with them. Unless they are exceptionally busy, tutors will also see students beyond their office hours and strive to respond promptly to e-mails. The ethos of the History department is informal, supportive and welcoming.
Find out more about what English and History at UWE has to offer in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Structure
Content
During your course you will study 120 credits each year, 60 credits in each subject.
English
Level one
You will take the modules, Writing Creativity and Critique and Literature and Ideas. These modules are designed to provide you with confidence in close reading, critical concepts and terminology, along with the research and presentation skills that are necessary to become a creative literary critic and rounded undergraduate scholar.
Level two
You will take the innovative, 30-credit Reading Forms/Forms of Reading module which focuses on what UWE English is particularly excellent at: enabling you to develop sharp and sophisticated reading practices. You choose another module from a choice including: pre-1800 modules on Shakespeare; Romantic Literature; Eighteenth-Century Literature, as well as post-1800 literature: British Fiction, 1830-1900; Victorian Poetry; Nineteenth-Century American Literature; and British Writing, 1900-1950.
Level three
You will also take two modules in English from those available on the following list:
- English Independent Project
- Gothic Literature
- Gender, Sexuality, and Writing
- Literature and Culture in Britain, 1885-1915
- Children's Fantasy Fiction since 1900
- Fiction in Britain since 1970
- Contemporary American Narrative
- Moving Words, Travel, Writing and Modernity
- Minds, Medicine and Madness
History
Level one
You take a 30-credit History module, Sources for Courses: History and Evidence. You can choose the second module from the following:
- Foundations of the West
- International History 1890-2000: Century of the Superpowers
- British History from the Black Death to the Present Day
Level two/three
You will take two 30-credit history modules at level two and two 30-credit history modules at level three. There are no compulsory modules; you are free to choose from an impressive range of optional modules, including taking one special subject module, if you wish. However, if you wish to write a dissertation at level three, you must take a module, History Project Management, at level two.
Please note: you may only complete a dissertation in one of your two chosen subjects.
Hear what UWE History and English students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
English
Our teaching methods are kept under constant review, and we build a great deal of variety into the delivery and assessment of our modules. There are not only lectures and seminars, but workshops, opportunities for independent research in the library, and student-led group activities. Our aim is to restrict seminar groups to 15 or fewer, and workshops to 20.
History
With the exception of the dissertation, all modules in History are taught by a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Most teaching also includes the use of computer assisted learning packages, allowing access to a range of primary and secondary materials. Several members of the History department have been involved at various levels in developing coursework for the study of History at a national level.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
Assessment
We use a wide variety of assessment methods including essays, extended essays, document tests and exercises, assessed seminar papers, book and/or periodical reviews, projects, a dissertation (optional for joint honours students) and end of year examinations. Your overall mark for each module is based on both assessed coursework and end of year examinations.
Special Features
Placements
We offer you the chance to study abroad in your second year at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Study facilities
English and History is taught on the St Matthias campus. The campus has several general-purpose computer labs, and there are more at the main Frenchay Campus. Students have free access to e-mail and the Internet, as well as all of the library services. When you have your username and password, you can access a variety of services at home. UWE Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, supports all modules. Material on Blackboard for courses will typically include module information, seminar worksheets, lecture handouts and supporting material, assignment information, useful websites, and chapters from books and journal articles relevant to the texts studied on the modules.
The library at St Matthias houses a large collection of English and History books and other resources, including extensive collections of primary material. You have access to networked computers which enable you to use the UWE intranet, the internet and a wide variety of digital archives and library materials, including scholarly journals.
Careers/further study
In the course of studying English and History at UWE Bristol, you will acquire not only an appreciation and critical understanding of the subject areas, but a number of the transferable skills valued by employers. Recent graduates have gone on to careers in teaching, IT, the law, broadcasting, the tourist industry, and many more. A work placement module for extra credit is an option on this course.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about Amy's inspiring career as a museum curator.
Useful links
UWE - careers in museums and heritage management
UWE - careers in publishing
Guardian - what to do with a degree in history
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 320
- GCSE: English Language at grade C or above required.
- A-level subjects: English
- Specific subjects: English
- Relevant subjects: History
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in English Language.
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011