Course summary

History is one of the most popular subjects among UK university students, and with good reason. Having a historical perspective enables people to make sense of today’s rapidly changing world. Employers like it because history teaches you to think for yourself, to work under pressure, and to construct a coherent argument from the evidence. Historical research has never been more exciting than it is today, with the internet making available so many treasures from the archives. Our BA History programme has been carefully designed and fine-tuned by Buckingham’s team of experienced and high-calibre historians. Students begin with survey courses covering major themes in the political, economic, and cultural history of Britain and Europe from the 1500s to today. They then advance to more specialised subjects including empire, global migration, and heritage studies. The degree culminates in an independent dissertation, utilising skills that have built up over the entire period of study at Buckingham. So the programme not only teaches history; it also teaches you to think historically and to research and write history. BA History (Hons) with English Literature option Our major/minor combinations allow you to study multiple subjects and earn a degree that truly reflects your interests. History with English Literature is an ideal combination for those with a love for the written word. Your History modules, which will make up two-thirds of your total course of study, all require engagement with primary sources produced in the past. Textual analysis is therefore at the heart of what you will do as a historian. This dovetails perfectly with our modules in English, many of which focus on periods of British or American history that you will learn about in our History offerings. Many of the most successful students at Buckingham hone transferrable skills highly valued by employers such as reading comprehension, written and oral communication, textual analysis, and logical thinking by combining the subjects of History and English.