| Qualification | Start dates | Entry requirements | Full- or Part-time | UCAS Code | Assessment | |
| Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) | January September | A-level: BCC, inc. History | Level of English required | Full-time | V2Q3 | Exam and written assessment |
Course outline
History can be studied at Buckingham as a Major. This means that you study two-thirds History and one-third English Literature (or Economics, Journalism or Politics). This is not a pick-and-mix degree; the minor subjects are designed to integrate with the History modules.
The History Major is a new programme. It has been carefully designed and fine-tuned by Buckingham’s team of experienced and high-calibre historians. The History Major offers outline and conceptual modules which concentrate on the period from 1800 to the present day – though we do study some earlier periods too. Students progress to study the history of history and to reflect on historical method. In the last part of the course we study historical documents and texts, and develop research and writing skills through a long essay and a dissertation. So the programme not only teaches history; it also teaches you to think historically and to research and write history.
History is one of the five most popular subjects among UK university students, and with good reason. Having a historical perspective enables people to make sense of today’s rapidly changing world. Employers like it, because history teaches you to think for yourself, to work under pressure, and to construct a coherent argument from the evidence. Historical research has never been more exciting than it is today, with the Internet making available so many treasures from the archives.
The English Literature part of the degree concentrates on period study (mainly 16th-19th centuries) and modules inculcating theoretical and practical skills.
Teaching methods
The Department employs a variety of teaching methods in different modules. Lectures and small group tutorials form the backbone of the teaching. Personal contact with members of the academic staff is considered to be essential if each student’s personal enthusiasm for their studies is to be stimulated. A range of activities is pursued within the tutorial groups depending upon the module. Some modules emphasise problem solving as a means of reinforcing and cementing the important ideas – for example the module in Microeconomic Theory. Occasionally we use game playing to encourage discussion and understanding – for example when competing groups of students try to control a computer model of the economy in Principles of Macroeconomics. Other modules place greater emphasis on writing short and accurate technical pieces (Welfare Economics) or longer more discursive papers.
Dissertation
All students on the course will have to write a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words on a topic of their choice with the help and supervision of a personal tutor within their chosen field.
What our students and alumni say
“The international community at Buckingham brings the study of history and politics to life — imagine learning about Africa and the Dominions with people from countries who are still being affected by the aftershock of the British Empire: it really brings the subject alive.”
