(BA) Bachelor of Arts
History with Human Rights (Including Foundation Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Pathways
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
History
BA V1L8
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
UK and EU applicants:
All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you
- think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course;
- have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven’t studied A-levels or a BTEC);
- are returning to university after some time away from education; or
- are looking for more support during the transition into university study.
Standard offer:
Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.
Examples of the above tariff may include:
- A-levels: DDD
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP
- T-levels: Pass with E in core
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria, please get in touch for advice.
Mature applicants and non-traditional academic backgrounds:
We welcome applications from mature students (over 21) and students with non-traditional academic backgrounds (might not have gone on from school to take level 3 qualifications). We will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference, to gain a rounded view of your suitability for the course.
International applicants:
Essex Pathways Department is unable to accept applications from international students. Foundation pathways for international students are available at the University of Essex International College and are delivered and awarded by Kaplan, in partnership with the University of Essex. Successful completion will enable you to progress to the relevant degree course at the University of Essex.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall. Specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels required. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
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
Our Year 0 courses are only open to UK and EU applicants. If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to your chosen 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 Mark Williams
Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History
Cardiff UniversityDr 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 both an outline of the principal developments and focused study on a range of specific themes.
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.
Enable students to develop an understanding of human rights theory and practice, and the historical origins and context of human rights theory and practice.
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 early modern and/or modern history
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.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some historical, philosophical, political, sociological and legal perspectives on human rights in greater depth
A5: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the sources available for historical research
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 module Approaches to History.
A5 is the focus of 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, book and film 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.
Identify and interpret some of the historical dimensions of human rights issues
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.
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
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.
The Research Project enables students to take skill C2 and in some cases skill C1 to a higher level.
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects 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, C3 by an evaluation by seminar teachers of seminar participation, including working in groups.
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
D1 (verbal communication) and D5 are practised in seminars on all modules; D1 (written communication) and D3 are practised in all types of written assessed work; D2 is practised in all types of written work, including the research project; D5 is encouraged through discussion of feedback in seminars
Assessment methods
All types of written work; all seminars (in some cases including formal assessment of participation and/or presentations).