(BA) Bachelor of Arts
History (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
History
BA V101
08/06/2026
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- IB: 30 - 29 points in the IB Diploma or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.
- We accept A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points. Acceptability of some non A-level qualifications (such as BTECs) may depend on the subject studied and units taken.
You can calculate your UCAS tariff points on the UCAS website.
Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the UCAS tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts.
More information about our requirements and how to apply is on our undergraduate application information page
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Sarah Longair
Associate Professor in the History of Empire
University of Lincoln
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- Enable students to study a range of historical topics, providing both an outline of the principal developments in European history c.1500-1750 and focused study on a range of periods and themes in world history from 1500 to the present.
- Enable students to examine historical events and changes in cross-national, thematic, and comparative perspective, with an understanding of political, social, economic and cultural contexts.
- Develop students' understandings of the relationship between the past and the present.
- Familiarise students with models of historical analysis and varieties of primary sources.
- Enable students to design and conduct an independent study on a specialist topic of their choice.
- Develop skills of research, analysis and argument that are valuable for a wide range of future careers, further study, and lifetime learning.
- To provide students with opportunities to experience a different system of HE through a broad range of courses on the Year Abroad.
- To develop students' intercultural skills necessary for living and working in a different culture.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of European history c.1500-1750
A2: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of thematic historical topics
A3: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specialised historical topics in greater depth
A4: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles of historical analysis, such as concepts of continuity, change, and comparative analysis
A5: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the sources available for historical research
A101: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of aspects of HE in another culture
Learning methods
The structure of the degree is based on progression from outline topics in the first year (A1) to more specialised courses (A2 and A3) in the second and third year.
Knowledge of A1-A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, independent reading and coursework.
A4 is developed in particular in the second-year compulsory module.
A5 is the focus of the third-year special subject and the third-year Research Project.
Assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding of A1-5 is continuously assessed through coursework.
Essays are the principal form of coursework assessment, supplemented by a range of other assessments which may include document analyses, reviews, and other shorter assignments; assessed presentations and oral contributions
The Capstone research project tests knowledge of A5 in particular.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Assemble, analyse and synthesise primary and secondary data
B2: Formulate and answer historical questions
B3: Evaluate and compare historical interpretations
B4: Explain historical events, contexts and change with reference to social, political, economic and cultural forces and factors
B5: Reconstruct the mentalities of past societies
B6: Formulate and present ideas and arguments, using historical evidence
Learning methods
All skills are introduced and developed through in-class discussions, essays, and other written and oral assignments.
The teaching environment of seminars, which emphasises student-focused discussion, enables students to develop all six skills through discussion and practice, and to receive feedback from peers and tutors.
Assessment methods
All skills are assessed through the usual means of a variety of types of coursework across the curriculum.
C: Practical skills
C1: Critically read and evaluate primary sources
C2: Critically read and evaluate secondary sources
C3: Work in groups to consider a question or clarify a topic
C4: Students will be able to apply the necessary organisational and cultural skills for living and working abroad
Learning methods
Participation in seminar discussion, focusing on prepared readings or set questions, develops skill C3; preparation of written work and oral presentations develops skills C1 and C2, with the final-year Special Subject focusing particularly on C1.
The final year dissertation enables students to take skill C2 and in some cases skill C1 to a higher level.
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their dissertations with members of academic staff but are required to conduct their own bibliographic research and formulate their own lines of investigation.
Assessment methods
All skills are assessed through the usual means of coursework
In particular, C1 is assessed by document analysis, C2 by essays, and C3 in the first year core module.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas effectively using oral and written means including essays, other written work, oral presentations or contributions, and discussion.
D2: Make appropriate use of information technology to research and present materials
D3: Analyse and explain data, understand and produce answers to essay questions, and manage work timetables
D4: Participate effectively as a member of a group to the benefit of oneself and others
D5: Use feedback from tutors to improve written and oral work and reflect on progress
Learning methods
The use of electronic library catalogues and other relevant electronic bibliographic resources and the use and interpretation of relevant material via the internet is introduced in the first year.
Students build on these skills in subsequent years.
Where relevant, students are encouraged to use, present or evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form.
Problem-solving, communication, working with others and improving own learning and performance are implicit throughout the degree.
Assessment methods
Key skills are assessed through the usual methods of coursework, including evaluation of seminar performance.
Management of work timetables is assessed by the requirement that students meet coursework deadlines and deadlines in the preparation and submission of their final-year dissertation.