(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Modern History and International Relations
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
History
Politics and International Relations
BA VL12
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
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. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
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. or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, 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.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
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.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or 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 Ingeborg Dornan
Reader in History
Brunel University London
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 a focused study on a selection of periods and themes in world history from c. 1770 to the present.
Develop students' understandings of the relationship between the past and the present.
Familiarise students with models of historical analysis and varieties of primary sources.
Develop students' knowledge and understanding of some theoretical and conceptual foundations of the discipline of political science and international relations.
Provide the opportunity for students to learn about political systems, political ideas and the interaction between domestic and foreign politics.
Develop an empirical base for the study of politics in an international context.
Enable students to examine past and contemporary events and processes in comparative perspective, with an understanding of their political and social contexts.
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 subsequent academic study, lifetime learning, a wide range of future careers, personal development and social participation.
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 modern history and/or international relations
A2: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specialised historical and/or international relations topics in greater depth
A3: Demonstrate knowledge of some conceptual and theoretical perspectives within history and/or political science
A4: Demonstrate knowledge of the main findings of existing research about international relations
A5: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sources available for academic study in history and/or international relations
Learning methods
The structure of the degree is based on progression from outline topics in the first year (A1) to more specialised courses (A2-A4) in the second and third year.
Knowledge of A1-A5 is acquired through lectures, seminars, independent reading and coursework.
A5 is the focus of the third-year independent dissertation.
Assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding of A1-A5 is continuously assessed through coursework and examination.
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.
The independent dissertation tests knowledge of A5 in particular through a dissertation of up to 12,000 words.
The ability to produce, under set time conditions and without access to notes, cogent arguments demonstrating the interconnectedness of themes, concepts and issues covered in the course components is assessed by the first-year examination of the pre-requisite module for the course.
Examinations are principally unseen, essay based, of two or three hour duration.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Assemble, analyse and synthesise primary and secondary data
B2: Formulate and answer questions relevant to history and/or international relations
B3: Evaluate and compare interpretations in history and/or international relations
B4: Explain historical and contemporary 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 coherently and persuasively, using evidence according to the methods of history and/or international relations
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.
C: Practical skills
C1: Critically read and evaluate secondary sources
C2: Use theoretical terms correctly
C3: Compile bibliographies and provide references according to accepted conventions
Learning methods
Participation in seminar discussion, focusing on prepared readings or set questions, develops skills C1-C2; preparation of written work and oral presentations develops skills C1-C3.
The final-year dissertation enables students to take skills C1-C3 to a higher level.
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their dissertation with members of academic staff but are required to conduct their own bibliographic research and formulate their own lines of investigation.
Assessment methods
Skills C1-C3 are assessed through the usual means of coursework.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas effectively using means including essays and other written work
D2: Make appropriate use of information technology to research and present materials
D3: Analyse and explain evidence, understand and produce answers to essay questions, and manage work timetables
D4: 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.
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.