BA (Hons) History

Core units

• Historical skills: You will be introduced to the nature of history as a discipline, the different methods and approaches historians use to study the past, and the complexities of history as ‘the past’ and history as ‘interpretation’. You will learn what historiography is and how to identify, read, and analyse secondary evidence and will develop your written and verbal communication skills by reflecting on how to organise and present ideas in an appropriate academic manner, how to formulate arguments, and how to reference sources using footnotes and bibliographies. 
• Historical Evidence: You will learn how to analyse a range of primary sources, including newspapers, letters, diaries, photographs, film, radio, and material culture and will develop your ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different types of historical evidence, and to interpret primary sources in relation to historiographical issues and debates found within the secondary literature. You will also learn how to conduct independent and group-based research projects using archival collections and digital resources and will develop your ability to present research findings in an appropriate academic manner, including referencing primary sources and archival collections in footnotes and bibliographies.
• The Making of Modern Britain, 1750-1945: You will explore new interpretations and critical approaches to the study of modern British history. Broader themes and historical debates will also be examined. You will be encouraged to place particular episodes or case studies in their historical context, and by doing so, to make links and further connections to wider historical issues and debates.
• Media Histories: This unit aims to introduce you to media and communication histories and key developments from the printing press to the internet. You will develop an awareness of both the technological developments that transformed the media but also recent developments in media history historiography, encouraging you to employ both a national and transnational perspective. 
• History in the Public World: The focus of this unit is the creation and interpretation of history in the public sphere, exploring how history is disseminated outside the confines of academia.
• European Histories 1800-2000: This unit will introduce you to European political, social, economic, and cultural history and considers a range of historical developments and contexts within Europe: from revolution, national unification, war and peace, through the Cold War, to the development of the contemporary European Union. 

Core units

• Interpreting History: You will be introduced to the diversity of specialisms within the discipline such as family history, women’s history, gender history, black history, and ‘history from below,’ and to the ways this history is presented.
• Community Histories: This unit builds on your understanding of local history and ‘people’s history’, focussing on the ways in which individuals have discovered recorded and presented the history of the locality or community in which they have lived and worked. See examples of student work.
• Post-War Britain, 1945-2000: You will be introduced primarily to a social, political and cultural history of post-war Britain. From the launch of the Welfare State in the 1940s to the so called ‘Cool Britannia’ of the 1990s. How have the lives of ordinary men and women changed? How has the meaning of British identity or what it meant to be British changed? You will have the opportunity to specialise and hone in on your research skills and ability to design a small research project.
• The Long American Century: This unit will chart American history from post-Civil War Reconstruction through the rise of the United States in the late nineteenth century, through the waves of reform and reaction in the twentieth century as the US took a larger place on the world stage. You will be introduced to multiple perspectives on the American past, covering topics ranging from race relations and the Civil Rights movement, to American foreign relations and the role of the American constitutional system in shaping American culture and institutions.    
• Exploring the Modern in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of topics which focus on key events and historical developments during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. You will explore shifting contexts, significant political, cultural, and economic transformations, and their impact on society, everyday lives, conceptions of power, and societal divisions. The unit will help you engage with a variety of historiographical debates and issues, as well as primary source materials.
• Society and Change in the Contemporary World: You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of topics focusing on historical and societal change. The unit will foreground structural change and lived experience in the twentieth century and explore key events and developments and its impact on politics, culture, society and everyday life. You will also explore the intense political and ideological social divisions of the time often expressed in cultural forms. This unit aims to further develop your scholarly, interpretative and analytical skills, by using and considering a wide range of primary and secondary sources. 

A minimum four-week or optional 30-week (minimum) placement, intended to develop your abilities and understanding of the workplace. It also provides a platform for successful entry into the workplace following graduation.

Core units

• The History Dissertation: You'll carry out a significant piece of academic work on a topic of your choice (in consultation with the university). This takes the form of a 10,000-word dissertation which develops and demonstrates critical, analytical and research skills.
• The History Graduate Project: Working in small teams, you'll work on a proposal for a public history event in collaboration with a heritage/history-focussed external organisation. This will culminate in both a group presentation and an individual evaluation.
• Comparative Themes across Time and Place: You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of topics, focusing on issues and themes of humanitarian conflict and social upheaval such as war, revolution, forced migration, and other moments of historical crisis. You will be introduced to transnational and comparative historical analysis, examining similarities and differences in how historical actors, communities, and states navigated crises, and how ideas, information, and identities circulated across borders. You will develop core research and analytical skills whilst engaging with a variety of primary sources.
• Specialisms in History: You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of topics, utilizing the expertise and research specialties of academic staff. Through research-led teaching, you will engage with the latest thinking on a range of historical topics, historiographical trends, and emerging fields of study. You will be provided with a broader sense of possibilities in historical study and the individuality of research agendas, such as bringing in interdisciplinarity or new methodologies. This unit also aims to develop your skills in finding published and archival materials, as well as a familiarity with the contours of source interpretation.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity to:

• Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
• Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
• Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
• Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
• Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider
• Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

You will begin your placement after completion of your second year of study and will undertake a compulsory four-week placement (on the three-year version of the course) or can choose to complete a minimum 30-week placement (on the four-year version).

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Co-ordinator. 

Through timetabled sessions and one-to-one appointments, they’ll help support you in your placement search including advice on finding a placement, information and advice on all aspects of job searching and job applications, as well as ensuring your proposed placement meets the requirements of your course.

Our CareersBU service is also available throughout your time at BU, offering services like CV checking and careers fairs to meet employers.

Placement Development Advisors will support you once you have started your sandwich placement – so you will be able to maintain contact with the university throughout.

• Huntley Film Archives
• Dorset History Centre
• Citizens Advice
• Hastings Fishermans Museum
• ABA Antiques

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, we may be able to make you an offer through AccessBU if you meet certain criteria e.g. you have been in care or live in an area where fewer people typically progress to Higher Education. If you don't meet our published tariff, we will accept you at least 8 points below if your personal circumstances match our AccessBU criteria. 

This course has compulsory elements involving conducting oral interviews and working on projects involving members of the public. When required, students must complete a health and safety risk assessment to take part in these activities, for their safety and that of others. As part of that assessment students provide information about any conditions or disabilities that might affect their ability to undertake these activities fully or safely. 

If you have such a condition or disability, please let us know as soon as possible. You can contact our Additional Learning Support (ALS) service about this before or after making an application. We will then work with you to identify any support or adjustments you would need. Our ALS team works with the Faculty to seek to put in place reasonable adjustments and health and safety plans.

Exceptionally, it may not be possible to arrange for a student to access these courses without either over-riding their core standards or competencies or creating unacceptable risks to health and safety. If that is the case we will help you explore alternative course choices.

The exceptional analytical and communication skills you’ll develop as a history graduate will arm you with a wide range of qualities employers desire.

Many of our graduates go on to find work in education, marketing, local and central government, tourism, research, publishing and broadcasting, as well as working within museums, historical attractions and the arts sector.

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master’s degrees.

If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

Once you are have enrolled as a student at BU, there is a wide range of help and support available, depending on your particular needs.

• Library & Learning support
• Additional Learning support
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)
• Transport and travel.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning Library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website. 
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• You will need to meet the cost of any Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if required by your placement setting, including any Post Office or Digital ID verification changes. 
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

Once you are have enrolled as a student at BU, there is a wide range of help and support available, depending on your particular needs.

• Library & Learning support
• Additional Learning support
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)
• Transport and travel.

Laura Ramsay is a Senior Lecturer in Modern History. Her research interests are in the social and cultural history of nineteenth and twentieth-century Britain, especially histories of sexuality, gender, and religion. 

Before joining the BU History team in 2018, she previously taught at Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham, where she also received her PhD. Her research on the engagement of Christian institutions with issues of sexuality and gender, includes a number of publications which are detailed on her BU staff profile page.

Kristin Skoog is a Senior Lecturer in Media History and the Level Tutor for undergraduate students in the third year of their history degree programme. Her research interests include media history, and women’s history, especially histories of broadcasting, and the role of radio in post-war reconstruction.

Before joining BU in 2011, she previously taught at University of Westminster, where she also completed her PhD. Her research on women’s radio and women broadcasters in the post-war period, includes a number of publications, which are detailed on her BU staff profile page.

Kate Terkanian is a Lecturer in Modern History with a special emphasis on Public History.  She has a variety of research interest that cover administrative history, gender history, and media history.  In particular, her research has focused on the establishment of gendered boundaries in organisations.

Kate received her PhD from Bournemouth University in 2019, and has led the History in the Public World, Community Histories and History Graduate Project units.  Prior to starting her PhD, she worked in both the television and heritage industries at institutions including the Voice of America and the Ashmolean Museum. She also holds a Master's Degree from University of Tulsa and an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ieuan Franklin is a Lecturer in History and Politics. His research interests span several disciplines, but mainly centre on the social and cultural history of post-war Britain, including youth culture; media history; oral history and folklore; politics and social movements. Between 2010 and 2011 he was Co-Investigator on a British Academy funded project led by Dr Chris Pullen, entitled ‘'Understanding the support needs of LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers through listening to autobiographical storytelling'.

Ieuan received his PhD from Bournemouth University in 2010, and has developed and taught on a number of BA and MA units within the Faculty of Media and Communication since then. Between 2010 and 2014 he was Post-Doctoral Research Assistant on the AHRC-funded ‘Channel 4 and British Film Culture’ at the University of Portsmouth, and he also has experience as a Lecturer in Film Studies (Wiltshire College/Bournemouth University) and a freelance film archivist.

Scott Keefer, is our new Communication & Humanities cluster lead. His research interests include the history of international law, nineteenth and early twentieth century international history, as well as the history of political culture. 

He has previously worked as an international lawyer, as well as teaching at the University of Heidelberg and the London School of Economics, where he received his PhD.  His research on the history of international law has included a number of publications, as well as a Fulbright Fellowship at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg, Germany.

My main research interests are broadly related to the contemporary history and politics of Britain and Western Europe (primarily Germany) and are divided into three general areas: 1) the history of the post-45 European Left (socialism, feminism and anarchism); 2) the study of popular politics, grassroots activism and social movements, including comparative and transnational dimensions; 3) historiography, intellectual history and the history of the social sciences.

I was awarded my PhD from the Department of Culture, Languages and Area Studies at the University of Liverpool in 2015, where I wrote my thesis on the History Workshop movement in Britain and West Germany (c.1960s-1990s). Since then, I’ve taught at Manchester Metropolitan and Sheffield Hallam Universities and, for the academic year 2017-18, I worked as a Post-doctoral Research Associate for the AHRC-funded project ‘How Women’s Rights became Human Rights’. I joined Bournemouth University as a full-time lecturer in politics in 2019.