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History BA Honours

  • UCAS code: V100
  • Full time
  • 3 years

This History degree allows you to explore and analyse historical societies across a range of periods and regions.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £21000

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAB
  • IB: 34 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This three-year History BA Honours degree focuses on developing your skills and abilities to critically analyse historical topics. You'll graduate as a confident and independent learner, ready for your future.

You'll learn to evaluate competing interpretations of history, and how to formulate, support and defend your own arguments and opinions.

You will explore themes including revolution, slavery, radicalism, medical history, and religion through a wide range of modules. These focus on a variety of time periods, geographies and cultures.

You'll study in a vibrant learning community, with scholars at the forefront of their fields. You'll also improve your research skills, completing a range of research projects during your degree.

You can follow your interests with opportunities to take modules from other subject areas such as archaeology, classics, politics, philosophy or a modern language at every stage of your degree.

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Student working with academic

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Compulsory modules help you transition from school to university. Skills training is embedded throughout, enabling you to ‘learn by doing’ as you study. You’ll examine primary sources and delve into the specialisms of your lecturers. You'll probe into the evolution of historical thinking over time.

In addition, you’ll have the choice of optional modules ranging widely across time and geographies. You'll be able to select the topics that fascinate you most. You also have the option to choose innovative cross-disciplinary modules or modules from other disciplines such as languages.

 
 

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Evidence and Argument 20
Historical Sources and Methods 20
What is History For? 20
You will select at least 1 module and may select up to 3 modules from the following (included in the optional module list):
 
 
 
Optional Modules Credits
Introduction to Archaeology 20
Prehistoric Britain 20
The Archaeology of Britain from the Romans to the 20th Century 20
The Roman World from Romulus to Trajan 20
Slavery 20
Global Middle Ages 20
Stuff: living in a material world 20
Global Ancient Histories 20
History Lab I 20
History Lab II 20
Public History 20

 

 
 

Compulsory modules prepare you for independent research. You’ll build on the skills and knowledge you developed in Stage 1 and you'll begin preparation for your dissertation in Stage 3.

Seminar discussions will help test and refine your ideas and increase your confidence.

You’ll have the choice of a very wide range of optional modules. These modules focus on a time period or geographic range or take a comparative look at a common theme or specific event from a different angle. You'll also have the option to choose modules from outside of History.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Crafting History: The Dissertation Proposal 20
Researching History 20
Optional Modules Credits
Prehistoric Europe 20
Archaeologies of the Roman Empire: The Roman World from Augustus to Justinian 20
The Medieval World: AD 400-1500 20
Colonial Worlds: History & Archaeology 20
Hellenistic Empires from Alexander to Cleopatra 20
The Roman World from Hadrian to Heraclius 20
Greek and Roman Religions 20
Slavery in Greco-Roman antiquity 20
Africa: History of a Continent 20
Social Histories of Alcohol: Britain and Ireland, 1700 - Present 20
Oral History and Memory 20
Greece from ancient times to the 21st century: Interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the past 20
1968: A Global Moment? 20
Communication in the Medieval World, from Europe to Asia: Prayer, Poetry, Pictures, and Travel 20
War, Wounds, and Disabilities in Global Perspectives 20
Famines in History 20
Germany and Central Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries 20
History and Film: Representing the Past 20
Ideas and Belief in premodern East Asia 20
Violence in the American South: From the Colonial Era to Reconstruction 20
The Aftermath of War in Europe and Asia, 1945-56 20
Revolutions of the Mind: European Thought, 1550–1750 20
Reformation and Revolution: Tudors to the Georgians 20
The Supernatural: The Cultural History of Occult Forces 20
Diversities of Sexuality and Gender in History 20
Britain since the 60s 20
The Mediterranean: a connected past 20
HaSS Study Abroad Semester 1 60 Credits 60
HaSS Study Abroad Semester 2 60 credits 60
Comparative History of Hispano-America and Brazil: from Independence to the Mexican Revolution (1789/1810-1917) 20
Career Development for second year students 20

You’ll put your independent learning skills into practice as you undertake your dissertation. You’ll build on your knowledge and skills so far, with the guidance and support of your supervisor.

You’ll also take one or both of ‘Reading History’ and ‘Public History II: History and Society’. In 'Reading History' you'll critically reflect on the discipline and your own ideas through close study of an influential work. In ‘Public History II: History and Society’ you’ll broaden your horizons by considering the uses and abuses of history in public life.

Optional modules will deepen your knowledge through intensive small group seminar discussion of primary sources.

Modules

Compulsory modules

Writing History (40 credits)

Reading History (20 credits)

Why History Matters (20 credits)

 

 
Optional Modules Credits
Archaeologies of the Middle Sea: An Armchair Voyage Across the Prehistoric Mediterranean 20
Regionality and the Fall of Rome 20
Early Prehistoric Europe: Origins and transformations 20
Sex, bodies and identities in Classical Greece 20
How To Survive The Apocalypse: Recreating Ancient Technology from Scratch 20
Semester One Substitute for Stage 3 HIS Capped Special Subject 20
Semester Two Substitute for Stage 3 HIS Capped Special Subject 20
Reading History 20
Why History Matters 20
Violence and social transformation in China and Taiwan, 1940s-1980s 20
The British Revolutions, 1640-1660 20
The Irish Revolution, 1879-1923 20
Reconstruction and the New South, 1865-1900 20
Living Together: Christians, Muslims and Jews in Medieval Iberia 20
British Foreign Policy since Suez 20
Birth Control in the 19th & 20th Centuries 20
Civil Rights and Armalites Northern Ireland since 1969 20
Civil Rights in America, 1948-1975 20
Viking-Age Scandinavia 20
Women in Colonial South Asia: Tradition, Reform and Modernity 20
Lunatic to Citizen? Madness and Society since 1900 20
The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1961 - 1990 20
The Rising Generation: Youth, Age and Protest in Cold War Britain 20
Haitian Revolution 20
Buddhism and Society in Medieval Japan 20
Unfree Nation: Enslavement in the United States from the Colonial Era to Reconstruction 20
The Gulag: A History of the Soviet Camps - Origins, Experiences and Aftermaths 20
Nineteenth Century Aotearoa New Zealand: Maori, Pakeha & Tauiwi 20
May 1968: all power to the imagination 20
British Colonialism in Sudan: Violence, Gender and Race, 1899-1956 20
Inter-American Relations from the Spanish-American War (1898) to the end of the Cold War (1989/1991) 20
Career Development for final year students 20
Envious Show: Wealth, Power and Ambition in Narratives of the Country House, 1550-2000 20

 

 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Most of your course will be delivered through lectures and seminars. 

Seminars form a more important part of your education in later stages, and helps build our learning community, where you'll debate with peers and refine your ideas. 

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Essays

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Presentations

  • Projects

Skills and experience

Business skills

You'll be able to boost your employability and develop enterprising behaviours, attributes and skills through two major career development modules.

Research skills

Independent research training is embedded throughout our History degree. This gives you the chance to develop your research skills – learning how to critically assess evidence and evaluate different interpretations – from your first year of study to your final-year dissertation.

You can also apply for a vacation scholarship, where you can work alongside researchers. You'll gain first-hand experience of working on a project and develop key skills, such as:

  • researching new material
  • collecting, analysing and interpreting social data
  • working on a lab project with a team
  • carrying out research in challenging environments

Chat with a History student

I chose to study at Newcastle because it's a vibrant city, full of friendly people. The History and Politics course really interested me, it has a variety of really fascinating modules.

Charlotte Stobart, History and Politics

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, in the historic Armstrong Building at our city-centre campus. 

You'll have access to a range of on-campus facilities, including:

  • the Great North Museum: Hancock, with its Antiquarian Library and range of artefacts
  • the Special Collections in the Robinson Library 

Find out more about the Special Collections

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

21000

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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