Kelly Marie McHugh - BA History
PGCE Student at Leicester
Graduated July 2011

I always knew history was the subject I wanted to take a degree level, and after visiting the University of Leicester on an open day and experiencing the campus vibe and friendly atmosphere, I realised this was the university for me. Through my experience as a student at the University of Leicester, I have developed as a person and learnt many key life skills which will be invaluable to me in the future.  

During my three year undergraduate degree, there were a huge variety of module choices which allowed me to study in the areas that interested me. One of the many advantages of studying at this university is that there are lecturers who specialise in most eras of history; resulting in more module choice and dissertation topics being available. There was always support available whether that was through my personal tutor, dissertation supervisor or the staff in the history office, who were all more than willing to help.

Whilst in my third year, alongside my studies in History I was involved in the student volunteering scheme called ‘Contact’ in which I volunteered in a primary school on a weekly basis hearing children read. Having always wanted to be a primary school teacher, this was an excellent opportunity for me to spend time in a school, and just one of the schemes the University offers that helps you with future career planning. Having loved Leicester as a place along with it being a highly rated institution, I decided to apply for a PGCE at the University and am now very much looking forward to beginning this course in September 2011.

Ben Rathe - BA History and Politics
Parliamentary Researcher
Graduated July 2010

When I was looking at Universities initially, I have to admit that Leicester wasn’t one that had initially crossed my mind. I only stumbled across it when I put ‘History & Politics BA’ into Google and it popped up as one of the places offering that course. I booked myself onto an open day and to be honest, I’ve never looked back. I was so impressed with the University that I didn’t ever really consider going anywhere else from that point onwards and the decision has served me well ever since.

Since I graduated in 2010 I’ve been working at the Houses of Parliament as a researcher for a Liberal Democrat MP. My job role ranges from general admin to dealing with the media to preparing briefing notes on a wide variety of policy areas. I even get to visit Downing Street occasionally.

Getting involved in the day-to-day of politics is exciting (especially now!) and is what I wanted to do since I studied at Leicester, and I know that without the experience and knowledge I gained whilst doing my degree it wouldn’t be possible. My time at University studying History and Politics had two broad academic effects. I learnt about the technical aspects of how politics works, which obviously helps when you’re working in Parliament, but I also learnt something a little less tangible that has been even more useful.

The style of teaching at Leicester means that you’re encouraged to think creatively and in a manner that leads you down avenues of thought that aren’t necessarily spelled out to you in text books. The lecturers don’t spoon feed you, but offer you a forum in which you can express and develop your own thoughts and opinions and to think critically about whatever subject you’re discussing, be it the spice trade to Indochina or the Thatcher years.

“The development of this skill has been invaluable to me in my job, and I know that this style of creative thinking is something all professions look highly upon. It’s thanks to Leicester I have that skill and am therefore able to do my job properly.

I know that people choosing Universities now are faced with a barrage of information but at the end of the day it’s the skills you come out with that are the most important. I wouldn’t be able to do my job without the education I received at Leicester University and that’s why I’d encourage anyone who wants to learn in a challenging, friendly and fun environment to go there."

View a video of an interview with Ben while he was a 3rd year student at Leicester.

Christina Johnson - BA History
Journalist 
Graduated July 2008

History may not seem the obvious choice for someone who has always wanted to be a newspaper reporter but I enjoyed the subject and decided to pursue it at degree level.  I realised that having a history degree didn’t mean I had to be a teacher or work in a museum since employers recognise what great all-round skills a student can learn from such a course.

I found the modules interesting and stimulating since I had such a great choice over what I wanted to study and the tutors were helpful and approachable. In my final year I chose to focus my dissertation on the post-Stalinist era of the Soviet Union which I found stimulating and challenging.

Following my graduation I was accepted onto an MA course to study journalism and I am now working as a regional reporter in Bedford and Luton.  I have been in this position for more than a year and I was highly commended for my work at the East of England press awards in January 2011.

I learnt a great deal in my three years at Leicester, which I look back on fondly.  It was enjoyable and useful, and these invaluable skills will continue to help me in years to come.

Clare Calland - BA History (with a year abroad)
Administrator for New York University
Graduated July 2010

I studied history at the University of Leicester for three of my four year undergraduate degree and I couldn’t imagine that I could have had a better experience anywhere else. The teaching is, on the whole, first-rate and my experience was fantastic. Although I had little need for support from him, I knew my personal tutor would be there if needed and I had an excellent dissertation supervisor. The best class I took was my final-year special subject. The way that the class is set up, over a full academic year means that you get to know your classmates and lecturer really well, so the class feels comfortable and promotes open discussion.

In addition to my studies within the history department, I also got involved with plenty of extra-curricular activities, such as acting as the treasurer of the Amnesty Society during my second year and joining Nightline as a volunteer during my final year. I also took part in the Volunteering Award offered by Student Development and made the most of the careers services, especially during my final year.

I am now working as an administrator for New York University in London, a study abroad facility based in central London. My experiences at Leicester were invaluable in helping me to secure a graduate job directly after graduating (2 days, in fact!) and I would not be where I am today without the help of the academic and administrative staff within the History Department, the International Office and Student Development.

Richard Spooner - BA History
Senior European Parliament Liaison Officer, Competitiveness and Markets Section
Graduated July 2006

Although I graduated from the University of Leicester in History five years ago, the skills I gained remain invaluable in my chosen career path. I now work at the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels, which is part of the Foreign Office, and before that worked for an MEP in the European Parliament. The ability to carry out thorough research, vigorously analyse the results, and clearly communicate your findings is essential for so many jobs, and is exactly what a degree in history at Leicester is about. But even more importantly, the passionate interest and curiosity its lecturers and tutors gave me for the subject is still with me, and reminds me why I chose to take it in the first place.