About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: V100
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 320
- Department: Arts
- Campus: St Matthias
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Part-time, Full-time
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Dr Alastair Kocho-Williams
- Key fact: In the last five National Student Surveys History at UWE has consistently scored over 90 per cent in the overall satisfaction ratings.
Introduction
History as an academic subject is not about compiling facts. It is about interpreting past human experience in all of its tremendous diversity. Historians disagree with each other in the interpretations and explanations of history, so studying it is both stimulating and challenging.
We teach Medieval, Early Modern, Modern and Contemporary History. The areas of study include British, Irish, European, American, African, International, Imperial, Social, Political and Economic History. You are encouraged in the second and third years to construct your own package of modules, for example, you may concentrate on Medieval and Early Modern History or Early Modern History and Modern History etc. The choice is yours.
All 20 members of the History School are engaged in historical research which feeds directly into the teaching programme. The School includes several internationally recognised leaders in their fields and the latest national Research Assessment Exercise (2008), in which 85 per cent of the staff were entered, rated more than 40 per cent of the History Department's research to be world leading or internationally excellent, and more than 50 per cent to be internationally recognised. The research environment in History at UWE was judged to be largely excellent with some outstanding elements. Research student activity was judged to be excellent reflecting excellent support and monitoring practices. The esteem in which History staff at UWE were held was judged to be internationally excellent.
Find out more about what History at UWE has to offer in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Structure
Content
Level one
At Level one you take the following four 30 credit modules:
- Sources for Courses: History and Evidence
- Foundations of the West
- International History 1890-2000: Century of the Superpowers
- British History from the Black Death to the Present Day
Level two and three
At levels two and three you take four 30 credit modules at each level.
The History programme at level two consists of a compulsory module, Project Management in History, and a wide range of optional modules. At level three you will take a special subject module and a dissertation module plus two further optional modules.
History dissertation
The special subject is linked to your dissertation so that you are able to study in depth the area of history that interests you most. The dissertation is compulsory for all level three single honours History students and is the equivalent of a 30 credit module.
Student views
Hear what our students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
With the exception of the dissertation, all modules in History are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, and the use of electronic resources is positively encouraged.
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.
We are serious about student support offering academic advice in the form of essay feedback tutorials and workshops. In addition, all tutors have allocated office hours when they are available to help you with your work. You will be provided with a personal tutor from the permanent History staff and professional student advisers are also on hand to offer advice and support.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
Assessment
Assessment methods, which vary for each module, may include essays, extended essays, document tests and exercises, assessed seminar papers and presentations, book and/or periodical reviews, projects, a dissertation and examinations. The ratio of coursework to examinations varies greatly; some modules are almost entirely based on coursework or project work, while others have split assessment with up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the module being assessed by formal examination.
Special Features
Placements
Work placements are undertaken as part of the History in the Public Space module which follows on from the level two Public History module.
Study facilities
History is taught on the St Matthias Campus.
Library
The UWE library at St Matthias house a History collection of over 60,000 books and an impressive number of History journals in English, French, German and Spanish. The library also contains an extensive collection of History primary material. You have access to a range of networked computers which enable them to use the UWE intranet, the internet and a wide variety of digital archives and library materials.
History Society
The History Society is at the heart of the UWE History community and brings together all those with a shared passion for the subject.
Study abroad
We have partnerships with international universities via the Erasmus scheme which offers you the opportunity to study abroad for all or part of your second year. In the past our students have spent time studying in partnership universities in Finland, Poland, Slovenia, France, Germany, and Spain.
We also offer you the chance to study abroad in your second year at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Careers/further study
For employers in both the private and public sectors, History is a recognised and respected subject. A History degree at UWE encourages the development of a range of skills of real and practical value in a range of occupations.
Graduates in History at UWE have entered a wide range of professions in both the public and private sectors including the health service, legal services, local and central government, the armed services, emergency services, publishing, journalism, teaching and lecturing, retailing, transport, leisure and tourism, financial services, and archive and museum work.
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 Tim's experience of teaching in Japan.
Read about Matthew's work placement at Arnos Vale cemetery.
Useful links
UWE - careers in museums and heritage management
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.
- Specific subjects: None specified.
- Relevant subjects: History, Social Science
- 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