BA (Hons) History & Politics

Overview

Taught jointly by the Departments of History and Politics and International Relations, this degree applies methods and concepts from both areas to inform your studies, and you are encouraged to examine links between the two disciplines. Our interdisciplinary approach will give you insights into the ways that social, cultural and political institutions have shaped, and continue to shape, our society.

Throughout the three years you study a range of units offered by both Departments - including a core unit for the study of History and Politics and International Relations, and a variety of complementary units - and are encouraged to examine links between the two areas.

Your study of the relationships between Historical processes and politics will be enhanced by Goldsmiths' growing reputation as a centre of excellence in cultural and social processes.

Year 1 (credit level 4)

In your first year you take:

	Module title	Credits
	Concepts and Methods in History Concepts and Methods in History 30 credits This core module introduces you to theories of history, methodologies and conceptual problems of advanced historical work from the ancient to the contemporary world. The module will help you acquire some of the fundamental skills involved in historical study – including writing at university level – as well as help you with online research, footnoting and compiling a bibliography. It consists of one lecture and seminar per week.	30 credits

You also take one of the following History modules:

	Module title	Credits
	Dictators, War and Revolution Dictators, War and Revolution 30 credits This module introduces you to the discipline of political history, by analysing, from a comparative perspective, key modern political ideologies, developments and political leaders from a comparative perspective. In addition to a theoretical foundation, it provides a basic understanding of how the modern world has been shaped by dictators, wars and revolutions. The module is divided into four thematic blocks of five weeks each. The order of the blocks and the particular lecture topics may vary from year to year, but the four-part structure ensures that you are exposed to a wide array of methodological and empirical issues critical for the study of political history. Assessment by: a combination of coursework and a two-hour unseen written paper. There is also a range of coursework on which feedback is given.	30 credits
	Religion, Peace and Conflict Religion, Peace and Conflict 30 credits This module explores the historical and contemporary role of religion in promoting peace and conflict through a series of case studies. The contexts chosen for study may vary from year to year but will normally include examples drawn from the West, the Middle East, and Asia. The module is divided into four blocks of five weeks each. By taking this module you will gain an introductory, but insightful, comprehension of religious belief and its role in promoting peace and conflict.	30 credits
	Self, Citizen and Nation Self, Citizen and Nation 30 credits Self, Citizen and Nation introduces the importance of intellectual and cultural history as a way of understanding yourself and the world around you. It contributes to the department’s core strengths in the history of ideas, philosophy, ethics and culture. The course consists of four themes, each focusing on the relationship between human beings and their surroundings: the Medieval Self (the discovery of the individual, gender, childhood, the visual dimension, citizenship and ethnicity) Humans and the natural world (the human body, human mind, animals and birds, the rural and urban environments) Early modern identities (emotions and the soul, the self, religion and identity, ethnicity and nationality, gender and sexuality) Political systems in theory and practice (monarchies, republics, democracies, utopias and dystopias) Throughout the module you will engage with a wide variety of primary source material, including images, philosophical and literary texts, letters and works of self-reflection.	30 credits

And the following two Politics modules:

	Module title	Credits
	Political Theory and Ideologies Political Theory and Ideologies 30 credits This is an introduction to political theory and an exploration of why central political ideas and concepts influence our understanding of the world around us. Assessed by: one essay and a two-hour unseen examination.	30 credits
	UK and European Comparative Governance and Politics UK and European Comparative Governance and Politics 30 credits This unit introduces students to the comparative approach to politics and government, in addition to building a understanding of the politics and governance of four key members of the European Union: the UK, Germany, Italy and France. The first half of the unit is focused on the UK and also considers the EU as an institution, while the second half concentrates on the other three countries at the unit’s core. Students will not only build an essential foundation for studying the politics of the UK and EU, but will also develop their skills in comparative methods.	30 credits

Year 2 (credit level 5)

You take the following compulsory module:

	Module title	Credits
	Modern Political Theory Modern Political Theory 30 credits In this module we examine the modern tradition of political thought. Students will be introduced to the major figures in this tradition – English thinkers such as Hobbes, Locke and Mill and continental thinkers such as Rousseau and Marx. Through these thinkers, we will explore key themes and concepts such as sovereignty, justice, human nature, property, rights, liberty, democracy and equality.	30 credits

You also take politics and international relations modules of up to 30 credits, and two history options. You can also take a module in a modern foreign language or apply to take a ‘related study’ – a relevant approved module from another department.

Year 3 (credit level 6)

You undertake an interdisciplinary dissertation (30 credits) for which you are given special supervision on a subject of particular interest to you.

A range of specialist modules from the two departments are taken, and you also have the option of taking a Special Subjects module selected from the 40 or so available through the other University of London institutions.

Find out more about the History modules.

Teaching style

This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures and seminars. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:

• Year 1 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
• Year 2 - 13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning
• Year 3 - 11% scheduled learning, 89% independent learning

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, extended essays, reports, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects, reflective essays, and seen and unseen written examinations.

The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:

• Year 1 - 56% coursework, 44% written exam
• Year 2 - 62% coursework, 38% written exam
• Year 3 - 88% coursework, 12% written exam

*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2017/18. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about how this information is calculated.

Credits and levels of learning

An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.

Download the programme specification, for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: BBBBC (Higher) or BBC (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 75% preferably including History
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H2 H2

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Additional Requirements

At Goldsmiths we offer innovative and challenging degrees in history, as well as a stimulating environment amongst a diverse and exciting community of students. Many of our students have achieved very high A-level grades, and that is reflected in our standard A-level offer.

But above all we're looking for potential students who can demonstrate the range of skills, talents and interests necessary for this work, either through traditional A-levels or otherwise. We believe that all able students of whatever age and background who have the ability should have the chance to study at Goldsmiths, and we actively encourage applications from students with a wide range of relevant qualifications, especially the access diploma. We also offer a year 0 (foundation year) for students who need more preparation and experience before embarking on the BA. This is a longstanding commitment and practice. Consequently, over many years, a large number of our students have come from non-traditional backgrounds.

If you're interested in applying to Goldsmiths, whether you're currently studying or have been out of education for some time, we'd be delighted to hear from you. If you'd like further advice or have specific questions, please get in touch with the Admissions Tutor listed above.

Find out about our undergraduate tuition fees and funding opportunities.

Additional costs

When you start your studies you'll receive a printed copy of the handbook for your degree. Module guides and reading packs including reading materials for your programme are provided digitally on learn.gold and you may decide to use your printer credit towards printing these.

Skills

Degrees in history and combined subjects develop your critical and analytical skills, your ability to express ideas clearly and your expertise in gathering insights from a range of subjects. Historical research enables you to gather and select from a range of materials – literary and visual. It teaches you to write with imagination and clarity.

Careers

Former students have forged careers in journalism and the media, museums and galleries, the Civil Service, teaching and research, law and the commercial world, but the skills learned are also applicable to many more industries and roles.

History at Work

History at Work is an exciting and innovative new initiative which offers some second and third year students taking History single and joint honours programmes the chance to apply their academic skills within the workplace.

Students spend one day a week over one term undertaking a project within a museum, archive or library: places which collect, process and present the 'raw material' of history. These organisations include the Wellcome Library, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, London Transport Museum and the V&A Museum of Childhood.

The project might involve archiving, conservation, building an exhibition, or developing a public engagement project. Students will be invited to apply for places on the programme each February. It should give students a great chance to test out their career ideas, develop skills and increase their employability.

You can explore more of the career options open to you after graduation on our dedicated History and Politics careers pages. Find out more about general employability at Goldsmiths. 

Kipras

"Goldsmiths is a wonderful place to meet extraordinary and very interesting people."

"Before Goldsmiths I studied history back in my home country of Lithuania. At the end of my second year  I realised that the course was not challenging enough for me. I moved to London -  perhaps the most cosmopolitan and open-minded city in the world – and started looking for a place to study where I could develop my ideas and generate new thoughts.

It did not take long before I came across Goldsmiths – almost every time I talked to someone about universities that would appreciate progressive thinking they would mention Goldsmiths. All I had to do was choose the course that could offer a modern and advanced attitude towards my favourite subjects. I found the course ‘History and Politics’. It is very demanding and sometimes I get very busy, but the course has definitely prepared me well for my future career.

Goldsmiths is a wonderful place to meet extraordinary and very interesting people. It's extremely open-minded. Before I started studying I was a professional musician and heavily involved in youth politics. At Goldsmiths I am free to share these interests and activities with like-minded people."

Francis

"You get to meet loads of awesome people with great ideas and aspirations."

"Before I came to Goldsmiths, I attended Southwark College in South East London, where I studied A-levels in English, Politics, History and Philosophy. Being a student at Goldsmiths is great. The lecturers are always at hand to help you with readings and essays. You also get to meet loads of awesome people with great ideas and aspirations. The main impetus behind my decision to come to Goldsmiths stems from the fact that it’s a University of London College and also the fact that it’s situated within New Cross. As a History and Politics student, I’ve been exposed over these two years to various political thinkers and historical perspectives; this experience has made me become more analytical when reading articles or watching the news; it has also made me become a better writer."

Charlotte

"Goldsmiths left me with a determination that I don't think I had beforehand; a determination to succeed and do well in anything I try my hand at."

"After coming to the open day I immediately felt the friendly vibe and relaxed atmosphere Goldsmiths has. It has elements of a campus with the layout but whilst still being in a big city with all the advantages that brings, such as the free museums and talks! The course options at Goldsmiths were a refreshing change from other universities I had looked at – there were vastly varying options and units that were different from the work I had done at school.

Goldsmiths taught me to be very confident and self assured when applying for jobs, which was obviously my main concern after leaving uni. My extra-curricular activities within Goldsmiths meant I was prepared for interviews and ready to hit the ground running when I got my current job.

I'm now working at The Pensions Management Institute, as Office Coordinator and Assistant Accountant. I look after the general management of the office, work with the finance team, and am the head of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and the Social Committee. I think I'm personable and confident, and both of these traits were developed at Goldsmiths – not only through the various experiences of running to be on the Student Assembly and a Trustee within the Students' Union, but also through the people I met and the course I took.

Goldsmiths also left me with a determination that I don't think I had beforehand; a determination to succeed and do well in anything I try my hand at which I think has helped immensely in my current job, and contributed towards getting promoted within 5 months – I hope this continues!"