Program Overview

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Modern History and Politics with Year Abroad (BA)

Award

Bachelor of Arts

Typical Offer

AAB

Duration

4 years

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Avenue

UCAS Course code

VL13

About this course

Learn how we make sense of past events, ideas and problems with this 4-year dual honours degree. With our BA Modern History and politics degree, you'll learn how society organises itself and makes decisions, and study issues like international security, migration and globalisation. The chance to study modern history and politics abroad at a partner university will expand your knowledge and prepare you for a range of careers.

Modern History at Southampton challenges you to critically interpret histories of societies. The study of politics encourages you to explore people’s organisation and behaviour.

You'll spend your third year at a partner university. You can choose from locations in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia.

On this course you can:

• study the modern history of an extraordinary range of places, from Western Europe and the Americas, to Africa and South Asia
• examine the rare artefacts from the university’s own collections, as well as take part in guided visits to other museums and galleries
• learn about democracy, the modern state, comparative politics and international relations

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Learn more about these subject areas

History

Studying history with us means you'll research, analyse and debate the past to better understand the present. Explore the ancient and modern, from empires and rebellion to social history and gender.

Politics and international relations

Investigate governance, democracy, citizenship and the links between power and protest. Learn how to question political decision-making to help understand some of our biggest challenges, from climate change to inequality.

Entry requirements

A-levels

AAB including an essay writing subject*

*Essay writing subjects include English, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Latin or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay writing subject*

*Essay writing subjects include English, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Latin or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A in an essay writing subject. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in an essay writing A level subject Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in an essay writing subject* and A in one further A level

*Essay writing subjects include English, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Latin or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in an essay writing subject*

*Essay writing subjects include English, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Latin or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including an essay writing subject*

*Essay writing subjects include English, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Latin or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3 D3 M2 in three principal subjects including an essay writing subject*

*Essay writing subjects include English, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Latin or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAB from 3 A levels including an essay writing subject* or AA from two A levels including an essay writing subject* and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

*Essay writing subjects include English, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Latin or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.

T Level

Not accepted for this course.

Other requirements

• UK students
• International students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Course structure

Your course modules will reflect how modern history and politics complement, cut across, and underpin each other. You'll study compulsory and optional modules in each year.

You can broaden your studies beyond history and politics by choosing:

• interdisciplinary modules from other subjects
• language modules

You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. We'll guide you through the process before you start.

Year 1 overview

Your compulsory modules will introduce key concepts in history and politics. You’ll look at different periods in world history, how they have been defined, and how this affects the way that history is written and understood. You’ll also be introduced to political theory and international relations.

Optional topics in History will immerse you in the critical study of modern historical episodes and themes. These include death in Victorian Britain, the history behind programmes like Downton Abbey, and the war on terror.

Year 2 overview

You’ll deepen your understanding of specific regions, periods, or themes in history. You’ll also develop research skills in politics and international relations.

You’ll have a wide choice of module options on topics including the making of modern India, Chinese politics, urban nightlife, and migration.

Year 3 overview

You’ll spend a year at one of our partner institutions. You can choose from locations in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia.

Alternatively, you can arrange an approved work placement instead.

Year 4 overview

You’ll research and write your dissertation on a topic that interests you. This is a chance for you to practise your planning and analytical skills and engage with primary source materials.

You can also choose specialist module options on the Holocaust, the Vietnam war, and the ethics of public policy.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

• Year 1: 17% scheduled learning & teaching, 83% independent learning
• Year 2: 14% scheduled learning & teaching, 86% independent learning
• Year 3: 100% independent learning
• Year 4: 11% scheduled learning & teaching, 89% independent learning

How we'll assess you

• dissertations
• essays
• individual and group projects
• written and practical exams
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1: 10% written exam, 69% coursework, 21% practical exam Year 2: 38% written exam, 61% coursework, 1% practical exam Year 3: 100% coursework Year 4: 8% written exam, 80% coursework, 12% practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £23,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: VL13
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email:
Tel:+44(0)