BAHistory

Study location	United Kingdom, Birmingham
Type	Bachelor courses, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years
Study language	English
Awards	BA
Course code	V100

Entry qualification	High school / secondary education (or higher) A level History / Medieval History / Ancient History grade A. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements	English IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill) CAE: 176 (with a minimum of 169 in each skill)

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application.

More information	birmingham.ac.uk/..es/history/history.aspx

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

First year
Much of your first year will be spent acquiring a general overview of the medieval, early modern and near contemporary past. The ‘Practising History’ module (10 + 10 credits) introduces you to the key skills you’ll need to study History at degree level. All this will help you make more informed decisions about subject choices in years two and three. Broader survey modules help you to familiarise yourself with history. Discovering the Middle Ages and Reformation, Rebellion and Revolution: The Making of the Modern World 1500-1800 (20 credits each) explore fundamental themes and issues focused on the key periods concerned and indicate the kinds of questions historians explore and some of the methods they employ in answering them. You can choose two from four further survey modules, Living in the Middle Ages, The Making of the Contemporary World: Modern History c.1800 to the Present, War and Society and United States History 1865-2000 (20 credits each). You also have a free choice in the Widening Horizons module (20 credits) from a wide range offered by the University, and if your choice is to study a language other than English, this can enhance your opportunity to study documentary evidence in a different language in your second and third year.

Compulsory modules

Practising History (A): Skills in History (10 credits)
Practising History (B): Approaches to History (10 credits)
Discovering the Middle Ages (20 credits)
Reformation, Rebellion and Revolution: The Making of the Modern World 1500-1800 (20 credits)
Optional modules

The Making of the Contemporary Modern World: Modern History c.1800 to the Present (20 credits)
Living in the Middle Ages (20 credits)
War and Society (20 credits)
United States History 1865-2000 (20 credits)
Widening Horizons (Module Outside the Main Discipline) (20 credits)
Detailed descriptions of first year modules
Second year
In your second year you will have a choice of around 15 options to choose from (Option A and B, 20 credits each). The Research Methods module (20 credits) gives you first-hand experience of the work of a historian as you learn to identify and frame a valid, intellectually coherent research for your dissertation. The module History in Theory and Practice (20 credits) gives you an overview of the evolution of history writing and an introduction to key issues confronting historians today, which you will find helps you reflect on your own historical research. The Group Research module (20 credits) provides students with an exciting opportunity to work in groups to design and execute a collaborative research project. The aim is for students to gain experience in the process of historical inquiry and develop their research skills in a supportive environment in advance of individual work for dissertations. You then choose either the Public History module (20 credits) or a Language module at an appropriate level (20 credits) or there may also be opportunities to take a substitute placement module called Professional Skills (please note: places are limited on the Professional Skills module).

Compulsory modules

Research Methods (20 credits)
History in Theory and Practice (20 credits)
Group Research (20 credits)
Optional modules

Choose 20 credits from the following:

Public History (20 credits)
Language module at an appropriate level (20 credits)
Professional Skills module (20 credits)
Choose 40 credits from the following:

History Option A (20 credits)
History Option B (20 credits)
Detailed descriptions of second year modules
Year abroad
You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year then you will be invited to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year. Find out more.

Final year
In your final year you will have some 20 Special Subjects to choose from (20 + 20 credits), ranging from the early medieval period almost up to the present day, and covering a wide range of British, European and Global areas. You will approach the particular subject of your choice not only through reading, but also by intensive study of original documents. There are also a wide range of final-year options (Advanced Option A and B, 20 credits each) to choose from.

For most students, the real centre-piece of the final year is their dissertation – a piece of extended writing on a subject of your choice and which requires significant use of archival and other primary source materials. For your dissertation, you will receive one-to-one consultation sessions with an academic supervisor, who will comment and advise on your drafts.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation (40 credits)
History Special Subject: Sources (A) (20 credits)
History Special Subject: Essays (B) (20 credits)
Optional modules

Advanced Option A – History (20 credits)
Advanced Option B – History (20 credits)

Career opportunities

Accountancy
Charity work
Housing
Human Resources
International Development
Law
Marketing
Media
Publishing
Politics
Retail Management
Teaching
Library and Archive work
Postgraduate study