Duration and Mode of Study

Three years full- time, or four years with a year abroad.

Course Aims

BA Contemporary History is a joint degree run with the Department of Politics and International Relations, and is designed to emphasise the history of the recent past and integrate it with contemporary politics and international relations. The degree is specifically aimed at students whose main interests lie in modern history and the contemporary world, allowing you to concentrate on a focused chronological period, whilst including modules covering a broad geographical range.

Course Structure

First Year

In your first year you will be introduced to Making History.  This element of the course equips you with the skills necessary to be an effective and informed History student, and is taught partly in small groups by your personal tutor. You will also take core modules in global and modern European history, politics and international relations, as well as having the opportunity to study an aspect of the contemporary world which particularly interests you.

Second Year

In your second year, you study a selection of modules which will develop your understanding of important concepts and theories of history. You take a combination of optional modules in history, politics, international relations or government, beginning to focus on aspects of history that interest you most. You will also develop your research skills by taking either Historical Research Methods or Political Analysis which prepare you to write either a History or Politics dissertation, and will also develop your critical analysis skills in the Perceiving the Past module where you will analyse how we understand and interpret the past. 

Third Year

In your third year you further deepen your knowledge and understanding by choosing four modules from a wide range of options in contemporary history, politics, and international relations. You will also carry out independent research to write a dissertation on a topic of your choice under the specialist guidance of a supervisor. 

Information about core and optional modules taught in the School  

For further information about the politics options, visit the Department of Politics and International Relations