History: University of Birmingham

History is not a plain narrative of events but an attempt to discover how and why our own world emerged. Our Single Honours History programme concentrates on medieval and modern Britain and Europe but it also provides scope to range beyond European boundaries. You have the chance to investigate unfamiliar territory and to question some of the prevailing myths, preconceptions and prejudices that surround history from the Middle Ages to the present day.

At Birmingham, Single Honours History is taught within the Departments of Medieval and Modern History, which have an outstanding international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The size and quality of the departments enable us to offer students a wide range of options across the medieval and modern periods.

First year

The first year is the foundational year in an academic process that will see you progress from being a dependent to an independent learner. Single Honours History students will study four survey modules spanning the early medieval to late modern periods. You will also study Practising History, a module that looks more closely at the techniques of the historian and at the nature and evolution of key historical debates. In Themes and Areas 1, you have the opportunity to develop your study of history from the perspective of a complementary discipline.

Second year

The second year is an intermediate year that builds on the foundations laid in the first year of study. You develop your historical skills and perspectives through Reviewing History, Themes and Areas 2 and your Dissertation Preparation module. You also engage in a group research project and extend your historical knowledge through two subject-specific modules chosen from a wide range of available options.

Third year

The third year represents the culmination of undergraduate study and the final stage of your transition to an independent learner. You hone your historical skills in a Historical Reflections module and also study a final-year subject option. In addition, you also undertake an in-depth Special Subject module, which is chosen from a variety of available subjects, and you research and write your personal dissertation under the supervision of a designated member of staff.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment methods are geared towards ensuring your smooth progression from being a dependent to an independent learner over the course of the programme. There is an even balance of individual tuition, small group teaching and lectures, with an emphasis on helping you to develop your ability to learn and engage in informed debate rather than simply accept received ideas. Assessment techniques aid this process and include ‘open’ and ‘closed’ examinations, assessed essays, group presentations and a 12,000-word dissertation.

Career opportunities

This programme equips you with a body of reasoning, communication and organisational skills appropriate for further study or employment in fields related to historical studies such as libraries, archives and museums. These skills are also readily transferable to a large number of graduate professions such as law, teaching, retail and business management, and financial and public services.

Other ways to study History

You can take History in an equal combination with another subject as part of a Joint Honours degree.

You can also take History as a Major subject (making up two-thirds of the programme) in combination with a Minor subject (one-third of the programme). Major/Minor combinations include History with American and Canadian Studies (UCAS code: V1T7). Please see our website www.history.bham.ac.uk for details.

Entry requirements

• Number of A levels required: 3
• Typical offer: ABB
• Required subjects: History A level
• General Studies: accepted
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 33+ points including History at HL

Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details

Additional information

• A subject booklet is available – email: or tel: +44 (0)121 414 5752

Contact details

• Admissions Tutor: Dr Simon Yarrow
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5752
• Email:

For general information about open days

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3374
• Website: http://www.undergraduate.bham.ac.uk/visitsopendays/

Main University Switchboard

• Postal address: The University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  United Kingdom
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
• Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

Admissions

• Email:
• Tel: +44 (0)121 415 8900
• Website: www.marketing.bham.ac.uk/admissions_recruitment

Student Recruitment

• Email:
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3374
• Website: www.marketing.bham.ac.uk/recruitment

International Relations

• Email:
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2894
• Website: www.international.bham.ac.uk