History and Law (including Placement Year)

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Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(BA) Bachelor of Arts
History and Law (including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
BA VM12
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

Staff photo
Dr Miriam Dobson

Reader

University of Sheffield

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.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  HR173-4-FY-CO  Rebellious Pasts: Challenging and Creating Histories  Compulsory  30  30 
02  LW104-4-FY-CO  Criminal Law  Compulsory  30  30 
03  LW103-4-FY-CO  Public Law  Compulsory  30  30 
04    History option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
05  CS107-4-SP-CO  Beyond the BA: Skills for the Next Step  Compulsory 

Year 2 - 2025/26

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  LW101-5-FY-CO  Contract Law  Compulsory  30  30 
02  HR242-5-FY-CO  Exploring History: Research Workshop  Compulsory  30  30 
03    Option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
04    Option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
05  CS207-5-AU-CO  Beyond the BA: Building Career and Employability Readiness  Compulsory 

Year Abroad/Placement - 2026/27

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  HR701-6-FY-CO  Placement Year  Compulsory  120  120 

Year 3 - 2027/28

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  HR831-6-FY-CO  Research Project  Compulsory  30  30 
02    Final year History option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
03    Final year Law option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
04    Law or History option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
05  CS307-6-AU-CO  Beyond the BA: Preparing for Life as a Graduate  Compulsory 

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

  • Provide a sound academic grounding in the disciplines of history and law;
  • Develop an awareness of the interactions of these disciplines;
  • Equip students with a range of subject-specific and general intellectual skills fostered by the study of history law, preparing them either for a wide variety of careers or for postgraduate study;
  • Develop students` capacities for independent thought and critical reflection.


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: Knowledge and understanding of the history of different periods and geographical areas, and of how historical knowledge is constructed.

A2: Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental doctrines and principles of the law, and some substantive areas of the law in depth.

A3: Knowledge and understanding of the techniques of reasoning appropriate to the discipline in question.

Learning methods

A1-3 are acquired through lectures, classes which involve discussion, and in law through tutorials which allow students to work in small groups.

Where relevant and as the basis for an argument, students should use, present and evaluate relevant numerical or statistical information as appropriate.

Additionally A1-3 are acquired by means of the directed reading that students are required to undertake, and by means of writing coursework and preparing for exams.

Assessment methods

Outcomes A1-3 are assessed through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.

Coursework in history consists of essays and source analyses as well as individual and group oral presentations. In law it consists of essays, problem analysis, oral presentations and group projects.

Coursework tests the ability to research a topic using, for example, library and internet resources, expound specified texts and enter into detailed argumentation with them.

Unseen exams assess the ability to rehearse and assess arguments in relation to specific questions posed within a limited time frame.

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: Capacity to follow complex arguments, and to present one's own evaluation of them.

B2: Capacity to summarise complex and demanding texts, and to assess critically their strengths and weaknesses.

B3: Capacity to argue coherently and persuasively.

B4: Ability to gather and evaluate large amounts of information and data.

B5: Capacity to analyse legal problems.

Learning methods

Skills B1-5 are obtained and developed through the teaching and learning methods described above under A (Knowledge and Understanding).

Assessment methods

Outcomes B1-5 are assessed through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.

Coursework in history consists of essays and source analyses as well as individual and group oral presentations. In law it consists of essays, problem analysis, oral presentations and group projects.

Coursework tests the ability to research a topic using, for example, library and internet resources, expound specified texts and enter into detailed argumentation with them.

Unseen exams assess the ability to rehearse and assess arguments in relation to specific questions posed within a limited time frame.

C: Practical skills

C1: Ability to abstract, synthesise, and analyse relevant information, from a range of historical and legal sources, using books, journal articles, cases and internet resources.

C2: Use and apply legal terminology and legal concepts.

C3: Plan and undertake tasks in areas of law already studied, and undertake independent research in areas of law not previously studied, starting from standard legal information sources.

Learning methods

Skill C1 is acquired and developed primarily by the preparation for and the writing of coursework, and the feedback given on it.

Skills C2 and 3 are developed through tutorials by way of the medium of problem solving and group discussion.

Assessment methods

Outcomes C1 and 2 are assessed through coursework and unseen written examinations.
C3 is assessed through coursework

D: Key skills

D1: Ability to produce fluent and effective communication

D2: Use of relevant information technology to research and present work

D3: Participate effectively as a member of a group to the benefit of oneself and others

D4: Use feedback from tutors to improve written and oral work and reflect on progress

Learning methods

Skills D1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 are acquired and developed through the teaching and learning methods described above.

Assessment methods

Outcomes D1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 are assessed through coursework and unseen written examinations.


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.