BA Contemporary History with Year Abroad

at University of Leicester

Year 1
The core modules introduce important skills and key developments in modern history and international relations. You will also choose optional modules on British, European, American or global history; different aspects of the 20th-century political order; and a People and Places option, studying one historical person or place in depth.

 

Core modules

• Making History (double module)
• The Shock of the Modern
• The Global Cold War: International Relations 1945-1989
• People and Places (double module)

Option modules
Choose one option module from:

• Comparative European Politics
• Order and Disorder: International Relations from 1989 to the Present

Then choose one option module from:

• Global History: Connections and Cultures in a Changing World, 1750 to the present
• Great Britain: The State We're In
• US History since 1877
• Europe 1861-1991: Emancipation and Subjugation

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Year 2 (History dissertation)
In the second year you will start transforming from a student of history into a practising historian, through core modules which enhance your critical thinking, independent research skills and intellectual creativity. You'll explore even more new areas of modern history and politics, choosing from a wide range of optional modules.

 

If you plan to take the History dissertation in your Final Year, you should take these modules:

 

Core modules

• Perceiving the Past (double module)
• Becoming the Historical Researcher (double module)

Option modules
You will also choose four option modules, one each from: List 1 (History), List 2 (Politics), List 3 (History) and List 4 (Politics).

 

List 1: History modules

• Religious History
• Histories of Violence
• Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union

List 2: Politics modules

• The Making of Contemporary US Foreign Policy
• Political Parties in Contemporary Britain
• Sex and Gender in Global Politics
• Politics of the Global South 

List 3: History modules

• Gender History
• Race and Ethnicity
• All Bourgeois Now? Class in History
• Enter the Dragon: Modern Chinese History, 1839-1989
• From Beer to Fraternity: Alcohol, Society, and Culture in North America
• History in the Classroom
• Living with Dictatorship: European Societies, 1918-1941
• Heritage Field Project

List 4: Politics modules

• European Union Politics
• Governing Societies in Conflict
• Latin American Politics

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Year 2 (Politics dissertation)
In the second year you will start transforming from a student of history into a practising historian, through core modules which enhance your critical thinking, independent research skills and intellectual creativity. You'll explore even more new areas of modern history and politics, choosing from a wide range of optional modules.

 

If you plan to take the Politics dissertation in your Final Year, you should take these modules:

 

Core modules

• Perceiving the Past (double module)
• Political Analysis 1: Understanding Political Science Research
• Political Analysis 2: Preparing for your Dissertation

Option modules
You will then choose four option modules:

• one from List 1 (History)
• one from List 3A/B (History)
• one from List 4 (Politics)
• and another one from List 3A/B or List 4

If you choose two List 3 History modules, there must be one from 3A and one from 3B.

 

NB. List 2 modules are not available if you take this route.

 

List 1: History modules

• Religious History
• Histories of Violence
• Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union

List 3A: History modules

• Gender History
• Race and Ethnicity
• All Bourgeois Now? Class in History

List 3B: History modules

• Enter the Dragon: Modern Chinese History, 1839-1989
• From Beer to Fraternity: Alcohol, Society, and Culture in North America
• History in the Classroom
• Living with Dictatorship: European Societies, 1918-1941
• Heritage Field Project

List 4: Politics modules

• European Union Politics
• Governing Societies in Conflict
• Latin American Politics

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Year Abroad (optional)
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.

 

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

 

Final year (History dissertation)
Your final year is shaped entirely by your preferred areas of interest and specialisation. You will research and write an original dissertation - an independent research project of your own design - with the support of an expert supervisor. You will also choose from a wide range of optional modules that reflect the cutting-edge research expertise of your tutors.

 

Core module
History dissertation

Option modules
Choose one option module from:

• The Holocaust: Genocide in Europe
• After Hitler: Society, Culture and The Politics of The Nazi Past in The Two Germanies, 1945-1990
• The Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Church, State and Belief in Soviet Russia, 1941-1991

Then choose one option module from:

• The American Presidency
• The Politics of War and Peace: Northern Ireland After 1972
• Parliamentary Studies
• Brexit and British Politics
• The Politics of Contemporary British Foreign Policy
• Politics of the International Drug Trade

Finally choose one option module from:

• The Conservatives: Crisis and Recovery
• American Political Development
• Political Legacies of Conflict in Northern Ireland
• Political Participation in Britain
• Democracy and EU Membership in Post-Communist Europe

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Final year (Politics dissertation)
Your final year is shaped entirely by your preferred areas of interest and specialisation. You will research and write an original dissertation - an independent research project of your own design - with the support of an expert supervisor. You will also choose from a wide range of optional modules that reflect the cutting-edge research expertise of your tutors.

 

Core modules

• Dissertation

Option modules
Choose one option module from:

• The Holocaust: Genocide in Europe
• After Hitler: Society, Culture and The Politics of The Nazi Past in The Two Germanies, 1945-1990
• The Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Church, State and Belief in Soviet Russia, 1941-1991

Then choose one option module from:

• The USA and the Vietnam War
• Crime and Punishment in African American History
• From Empire to Nation: Modern South Asia, c. 1857-1947
• Disasporas and Migrations in the Modern World
• The American Presidency
• The Politics of War and Peace: Northern Ireland After 1972
• Parliamentary Studies
• Brexit and British Politics
• The Politics of Contemporary British Foreign Policy
• Politics of the International Drug Trade

Finally choose one option module from:

• The Imperial Economy: Britain and the Wider World, 1815-1914
• What Difference Did the War Make? British Society and the Great War, 1900-1939
• When Two Dragons Fight: China and Japan at War in the Twentieth Century
• The Conservatives: Crisis and Recovery
• American Political Development
• Political Legacies of Conflict in Northern Ireland
• Political Participation in Britain
• Democracy and EU Membership in Post-Communist Europe

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

• A/AS-levels: AAB-ABB at A-Level. We prefer A-Level History, though this is not essential. Two AS-Levels considered in place of one A-Level. General Studies is accepted
• EPQ with A-Levels: ABB-BBB at A-Level + EPQ at grade B. We prefer A-Level History, though this is not essential
• Access to HE Diploma: Pass relevant Diploma with 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at distinction
• International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points including 6 in one Higher Level subject
• BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with D*DD

 

Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

 

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School of History.

 

English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

 

International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

UK Students

Starting in 2022

• £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
• Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,250 for that year

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

 

International Students

Starting in 2022

• £17,500 per year
• Year Abroad: £4,375, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee

You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

 

From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

We offer several practical or placement modules so that you can gain hands-on experience in your chosen career path. For instance, our 'History in the Classroom' module includes practical teaching experience by incorporating a placement in a local school and our 'Heritage Field Project' will give you hands on experience working in the heritage industry, offering you invaluable experience for the future.

 

We routinely develop paid internship opportunities for our students to gain additional, relevant work experience during their degrees. Roles such as research assistance, conference organiser, and editorial assistant have been offered in recent years.