BA (Hons)
History
Study social and cultural history and develop your views
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Engage with primary and secondary sources to carry out your own in-depth research into the aspects of history that fascinate you the most. We teach a range of British and European topics, from the fifteenth century to the present, with an emphasis on social and cultural history. Above all, we aim to approach these topics in a lively, up-to-date manner.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Become an expert in the topics of your choice as you choose to study in the areas that interest you the most
- Opt to study in a US institution for a term
- Do work experience in a local archive, gallery or museum
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course will equip you with skills that are easily transferable to the workplace such as effective communication, organisation and teamwork. You will have the qualities to go into a range of careers such as publishing, marketing, PR as well as roles in the business sector.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- journalism
- law
- teaching
- administration
- archive and museum work
With the History Department having such an excellent reputation, it seemed clear that Portsmouth would be the ideal university for me.
Stephan Yates, BA (Hons) History student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- V100
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent, to include 100 points from A level History.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Subject:
History, Politics and Social Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The diverse spread of subjects offered and ability to complete your own research
- The critical thinking, analytical and debating skills you’ll develop
- The passionate lecturers with a wide range of specialist research expertise
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
You will begin your studies with an introduction to key concepts and topics. You’ll also develop strong analytical and research skills which you will rely on throughout your studies.
Core units in this year include:
- Historical Methods
- Society and Culture in Twentieth Century Europe
- The Early Modern World
- Problems and Perspectives
- History Skills Foundation
- History Skills Development
Year two
With a wealth of optional units to choose from you can mould your studies to your strengths and interests.
Core units in this year include:
- Modernity and the Masses 1750-1914
- Empire and Identities 1750-1914
- Introduction to Historical Research
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Being British After the War: Continuity and Change in British Identity 1945-2005
- Colonialism and End of Empire: France and Algeria
- Colonialism and End of Empire: France and West Africa
- Culture and Ideas in Twentieth Century Europe
- Europe’s Maritime Empires: 1600-1800
- Filming the Past: The Early Modern Period on Screen
- From Revolution to Dictatorship: Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-1941
- History Workplace Experience
- In Darkest England: Culture and Conflict in the City 1790-1860
- International Politics of the Middle East
- Learning from Experience
- Race, Slavery and Emancipation in the Americas
- Rum, Sodomy and the Lash: Outlaws at Sea 1600-1800
- The First World War: A Social and Gender History
- Transnational European Union
- Learning from Experience
- Foreign Languages
Year three
Complete a self-researched dissertation or major project, and specialise in your chosen subject area.
Core units in this year include:
- Group Research Project 1 and 2
- History Special Subject 1 and 2
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Magic and Modernity: Witchcraft and the Occult, c.1800-1920
- he French Revolution, 1789-1799: Regeneration, War, Terror and the Birth of Modernity
- Gender, Sexuality and War 1918-1982
- Cinema-going in Wartime Britain 1939-1945
- Hampshire and the Sea 1700-1850
- The Devil’s Decade: British Society in the 1930s
- Conflict, Conspiracy, Consensus: Religious Identities in Elizabethan England
- Students and Youth in Post-War Britain
- The Making of the German Nation
- History as Heritage
Please note that not all options or special subjects will be available at any given time.
Teaching and Assessment
Our teaching approach involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. We will teach you the skills to carry out your own research, follow your own initiative and confidently present your ideas to others.
How are you assessed?
There is a clear emphasis on working with your peers to discuss ideas for your coursework. We’ll then assess you in a range of ways to allow you to showcase your learning. Here’s how:
- essays
- close textual analysis
- group and individual presentations
- a 10,000-word dissertation
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with group working spaces, printers, Mac workstations and more
Research-Active Staff
Academic staff split their time between research and teaching
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with a comfy seating area, desks where you can work, printers, Mac workstations and access to the wireless network so you can log in using your own laptop. There are also several study rooms where you can work on group projects, alongside access to the University 3rd Space.
Research-Active Staff
You will be taught by specialist staff who are actively undertaking research in this field, ensuring your learning keeps you abreast of the latest developments. Staff are members of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR), the UK's largest research centre of its kind.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
I have to give credit to the amazing tutors at Portsmouth, always willing to help and teaching all the modules in engaging ways. Portsmouth also has great library facilities for history students. I am aware a lot of money is spent each year by the University on online resources including access to important historical archives and hundreds of journals which have been extremely useful throughout my studies.
Luci Swain, BA (Hons) History student 2013
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Traditionally you may link a history graduate with someone who works in a museum, archive or library. However, employers from every area of industry value today’s history graduates. You will leave with the ability to analyse and manage large quantities of information, communicate effectively, research in groups or independently and write in a concise and informative fashion. All highly employable assets.
You’ll also possess a firm foundation to study history at Masters or PhD level should you want to continue with your research. Our History team run an MA in the History of War, Culture and Society, which is a popular next step amongst our graduates.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- archivist
- recruitment consultant
- museum curator
- public relations officer
- information analyst
Work experience
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you’re involved in alongside your study.
The School of Social Historical and Literary Studies can offer you a number of work experience opportunities in a range of local organizations during your degree course. Currently these include projects at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the New Theatre Royal, with local government departments and political groups, and a number of our students have worked on small research projects for the local community.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
After graduation there is a considerable amount of careers I could go into. The University helps you develop your career plans and options. I am considering careers in teaching and journalism.
Daniel John Beck, BA (Hons) History student
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more