Roehampton University
Open Spaces. Open Minds.
Undergraduate study
History
Overview
- Roehampton is near some of the best facilities for historical study in the UK, such as:
- Leading international experts teach on the History programme.
- Organised study trips take students out of the classroom; for example, to the Imperial War Museum, and on walking tours of the East End of London.
- Our lively research seminar programme features visiting speakers.
Boasting impressive research ratings and teaching expertise that brings history to life, this popular programme includes modules that range from Ancient Athens to the 1960s and span Britain, Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Arab-Islamic world.
News
Research Assessment Exercise 2008
100% of Roehampton University's work in History was recognised either internationally or nationally, with 35% of that work regarded as being either "world-leading" or "internationally excellent". More information.
Successful conferences
Recently the History programme team has co-organised a number of successful conferences, on and off campus, including:
- "The Pictorial Turn" (see further details on the Centre for Research in History and Theory webpages)
- "The Gordon Riots" symposium (see further details on the Centre for Research in Romanticism webpages)
- "Reading and Writing Recipe Books, 1600–1800", in collaboration with staff at Warwick University (see the conference webpages).
In detail
For a complete description of this programme's aims, learning outcomes and the programme outline, see the full programme details.
For a complete list of this programme's modules and a detailed description of each of them, see the full module details.
Entry requirements
- Offers are typically based in the range of 240–320 points from A-levels (including History or another literary or social science subject, eg English, Anthropology), vocational A-levels, or equivalent, including the 14–19 Diploma.
Our offers are not solely based on academic results: we also take your skills, achievements and life experience into consideration.
For further information refer to our general entrance requirements page, which includes a tariff table. If you need advice on entry requirements or applications, please contact our Enquiries Office on 020 8392 3232.
Year-by-year summary
First year
You take modules focusing on the foundations of historical study. Core modules in Reading and Writing History, and Introduction to Humanities provide the theoretical basis and the methodological skills for more advanced studies in the upper years. Other modules explore themes such as migration, revolutions, religious change, and visual and material cultures, in broad chronological and geographical contexts, such as the Americas, and the ancient world.
Second year
You take the compulsory Histories module, which examines social, cultural and technological approaches to history through the theme of war. From a broad selection of optional modules, you then develop your research and critical skills through engagement with particular concepts, places and periods, such as religious and political change in medieval and early modern England, 19th-century London, and European modernity. You can also choose to take a work placement option.
Third year
As well as taking more specialised options, designed to give you in-depth exposure to the research specialism of the programme team, you will study original documents more intensively and prepare a dissertation or a special long essay involving independent research under the guidance of a supervisor.
Sample modules
- Introduction to Ancient History (first year)
- France in the World: 1940–2000 (second year)
- Medieval Iberia: Muslims, Jews and Christians (third year)
Teaching methods
- Interactive lectures
- Small-group discussions
- Source-led seminars
- One-to-one tutorials
- Independent research with supervision
Assessment methods
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Seminar presentations
- Group projects
The programme uses a wide range of assessment. For example, the HE3-level module, "Muslims, Jews and Christians in Medieval Iberia" is assessed using a blog in which students need to critically reflect on both academic debates relating to medieval Iberia and the relevance of the subject to the world today. Blogs demand that students acquire skills in writing pithily, directly and in summarising complex material for general audiences.
Typical timetable
Across the three years of the degree programme, you will be increasingly expected to develop your independence as a student and as a researcher. Modules are allocated a 3.5-hour teaching slot each week, with some of this time usually allocated to a lecture; however, the remaining time can be given over to seminar-based discussion, student-led group work and presentations.
Recommended reading
This is a very brief list of books and resources that the History team has put together to reflect how we approach the study of history at Roehampton. If you decide to come to Roehampton to study History, you will receive preparatory reading lists for your first year in the summer before you arrive.
General approaches
- Marc Bloch, The Historian's Craft (Manchester University Press, 1954 & many reprints).
- Eric Hobsbawm, On History (Abacus, 1998).
- Ludmilla Jordanova, History in Practice (2nd edition, Hodder, 2006).
- John Tosh, The Pursuit of History (4th edition, Pearson Education, 2005).
The History team particularly recommends Eamon Duffy's The Voices of Morebath: Reformation and Rebellion in an English Village (Yale, 2001).
An example of an excellent resource to explore is the Old Bailey Sessions website.
Facilities
On campus
The University Library has excellent resources for the study of History.
Off campus
Roehampton is close to the many world-class facilities in London, including:
- National Archives of government papers at Kew
- national museums and galleries, such as
- the University of London Library and many smaller specialist collections.
Student perspectives
Quote from current student
"Roehampton was my first choice because I wanted to study at a London-based university with a proven track record in History. During my degree I have had an opportunity to study a diverse range of subjects both from the History programme and other related programmes. The standards of teaching and support have been excellent and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Roehampton."
Heather Bennett, third-year History student
Example of student work
The 8,000-word dissertation students undertake in their third year provides the opportunity for a sustained piece of original research. John Price, who graduated with a first-class degree from Roehampton in 2005, undertook his dissertation on the Victorian monument to civilian heroism in London, Postman's Park. This dissertation was in the top three in the 2005 Royal Historical Society/History Today undergraduate dissertation competition, and has fuelled John's subsequent writing and doctoral research.
Work placements
History students are able to pursue a work placement option during their second year of study. Work placements are an exciting way of gain practical experience to back up your theoretical knowledge. One of the objectives of the scheme is that we encourage the transfer of learning from the university environment into the workplace, and then to incorporate that learning back into the students' studies.
Career prospects
History students acquire a valuable range of transferable skills in communication, problem-solving and presentation that are popular with a range of employers. For example, recent History graduates are now working in:
- publishing
- broadcasting
- the civil service
- market research
- museum research
- lecturing
- teaching
- commerce.
Further study prospects
A History degree opens up a wide range of opportunities for postgraduate study at Roehampton and other universities. We have a strong tradition of students continuing on to do the programme's own MA Historical Research, as well as the PGCE. Students have also recently gone on to undertake postgraduate/PGCE study at King's College, London, SOAS, and Keele.
Quote from alumni
"Through my studies at Roehampton, I gained not only a knowledge of world history, but a deeper understanding of myself. I pursued my passion in areas of history which I found fascinating and had all the help I needed from tutors who nurtured and encouraged this exploration. I am now doing a masters degree in the Studies of Religion, which I decided upon after studying Medieval Islamic Spain in my third year at Roehampton. The History Department was instrumental in my pursuit of knowledge and I had three of the best years of my life challenging myself through the diverse range of topics available to me."
Yamuna de Soto, History student, graduated 2007
Subject area
Related programmes
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
- Early Modern Literature and Culture
- Historical Research
- Literature and Material Culture 1750 - Present
Research degrees
Research Centres
- Centre for Hearth Tax Research
- Centre for Research in History and Theory
- Centre for Research in Renaissance Studies
- Centre for Research in Romanticism
Staff
- Dr Meg Arnot, Principal Lecturer, Head of Subject (Humanities)
- Dr Charlotte Behr, Senior Lecturer
- Prof Trevor Dean, Professor of History; Assistant Dean of Research, School of Arts
- Prof Peter Edwards, Professor of History
- Dr William Gallois, Reader
- Dr Carrie Hamilton, Senior Lecturer
- Dr Sara Pennell, Senior Lecturer
- Dr Krisztina Robert, Lecturer
- Dr John Seed, Lecturer
- Prof John Tosh, Professor of History
- Prof Cornelie Usborne, Professor of History
- Dr Andrew Wareham, Reader and Director of British Academy Hearth Tax Project
Entry tariff: 240–320 points
UCAS code: V100
Single or Combined Honours
View combinations
Duration (years):
3 (full-time), 4–7 (part-time),
September or January start
Tuition fees (per year):
£3,290 (UK/EU)
£9,599 (international)
Contact: Enquiries Office
Tel: 020 8392 3232
Email: enquiries@roehampton.ac.uk
