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History at UEA
Find out more about studying History at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBA (Hons) Modern History
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- V140
- Typical Offer
- AAB
- Contextual Offer
- BBB
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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3rd
UEA is ranked 3rd overall for research quality in History
Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis85%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23Course Overview
Why BA Modern History at UEA?
Debate the rise and fall of nations, competing ideologies, imperial legacies and human rights over the last two centuries. With UEA Modern History degree, study the forces that have shaped our world since the French Revolution of 1789.
Why choose UEA
- Leading historians: Learn directly from our world-leading experts. Join the conversations that advance our collective understanding of the recent past and its importance for the world today
- Flexible study: Select your optional modules based on your passions and ambitions
- History in place: Study in the historical city of Norwich. Enjoy the inclusive and supportive setting
What is BA Modern History?
You'll learn directly from historians whose research is renowned. you'll join a stimulating community bridging deep expertise in British history with specialised knowledge in European and global history.
You'll steer your own pathway through our unique and flexible curriculum. Choose subjects ranging from the French Revolution to Putin’s Russia, from the history of propaganda to the history of diplomacy.
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Careers
Career Pathways
With a BA Modern History degree, you could launch a career in:
- Civil Service and international organisations: Apply your ability to understand complexity to the challenges facing public institutions and global governance
- Public relations and communications: Manage communications and public messaging for organisations in the cultural or public sectors
- Law: Put your logical reasoning and attention to detail to work as a solicitor, barrister, or legal researcher
- Teaching: Teach History and related humanities subjects in a range of educational institutions
- Museums and heritage: Support curation and conservation, visitor services, educational and outreach programmes whilst drawing on your historical knowledge
Career Support
We realise that thinking about life after university can be daunting. You’ll therefore be supported throughout your degree to develop transferable skills that employers value. We’ll encourage you to weigh-up different career paths, and to understand what you need to do to pursue them. You’ll have access to personalised career support, campus careers events, alumni networking opportunities, paid internships, and career-planning and CV workshops.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
Modern History graduates have the world at their fingertips. You’ll gain subject-specific knowledge, but you’ll also develop transferable skills and qualities that employers value. You’ll learn to communicate clearly, construct narratives, and think analytically; you’ll gain experience working alone, and as a team member. And you’ll become adept at gathering, verifying, interpreting, and collating both obscure and digitised information. Such skills open doors to a variety of careers.
Study and Modules
Structure
Year one will give you an overview of the broad chronological sweep of British, European and world history. Your compulsory modules in the first semester will cover an extended period spanning from the Middle Ages to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. In your second semester, you’ll choose from several subjects, including witchcraft and 20th-century global history. Our Key Skills programme will provide you with core techniques for research, analysis and debate.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In year two, you’ll take just one compulsory module, which will enable you to develop your analytical and research skills. You have flexibility with your other modules to tailor your learning to topics that interest you. You’ll choose from a wide range of modules, which together span in time from the Roman Empire to the present, and in space from East Anglia to India. Whether you specialise in or study diverse subjects, you'll hone your critical thinking and ability to construct a well-evidenced argument.
You can also study abroad, learn a foreign language, and choose subjects offered by other disciplines in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. To apply practical and transferable skills that you’ve gained from your course, you might wish to do a short-term placement, for instance in one of Norwich’s museums.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In year three, you’ll master the intellectual skills required to create and contest historical knowledge. You’ll select one special subject from a range that typically includes topics such as 1980’s Britain, the history of fascism, and the history of modern Yugoslavia. Each option is led by academics who are experts in that subject. Just as you’ll learn about their research, you'll influence their writing through your seminar contributions, your incisive questions, and your coursework.
In addition to your Special Subject, you’ll study two advanced modules, which include topics such as the Victorian underworlds, race and migration, and modern Russia. Instead of taking one of these advanced modules, you can (subject to meeting certain criteria) write a dissertation under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 30)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 30)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Our academics are leading historians. Their enthusiasm for new discoveries and reinterpreting the past animates their teaching. You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, independent study, and conversations with academics during their designated office hours.
In year one, you’ll learn the skills that underpin the historians’ craft, such as how to analyse and contextualise sources. Through lectures and seminars, you’ll learn to note ideas presented to you whilst gaining confidence to articulate your own insights.
In year two, you’ll continue to learn through lectures and seminars whilst choosing from a wide range of historical subjects. You’ll learn about politics and power, but you’ll also have opportunities to study social, cultural, religious, gender and landscape history.
In year three, you’ll learn about your Special Subject and other topics through longer seminars, small-group work and independent study. You can opt to do a dissertation, working one-to-one with an expert supervisor.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a diverse range of assessments rather than traditional written examinations. Completing assessments will equip you with the skills and confidence to flourish after graduation. You’ll be helped with assessments throughout your studies, receiving regular written and verbal feedback to help you improve. You’ll have the chance to do a practice assignment for each graded assignment.
In year one, you’ll be assessed by a mixture of essays, recorded presentations and source commentaries. You’ll gain experience and confidence with these assessments, without them counting towards your final degree.
In year two, you’ll develop new skills through a wider range of assessments. These will include essays, presentations, reviews, source commentaries, problem-based exercises and reflective analyses.
In year three, you’ll be assessed via coursework, presentations, an extended essay for your Special Subject, and an optional dissertation.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB
Contextual offer: BBB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD
Contextual offer: DDM
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3
Contextual Offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 15 credits at Level 3
T levels
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAAAA
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme
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- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £10,050
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International Students: £24,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
The cost of optional field trips will vary.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: