Course summary

Why study BA History (with Integrated Foundation Year) at Goldsmiths

• If you do not have the required qualifications for degree-level study, our four-year BA in History (with Integrated Foundation Year) offers an alternative entry route

• The Foundation Year is closely aligned with our undergraduate history programmes, teaching you a foundational knowledge of the subject and helping you develop the necessary academic skills. You choose the undergraduate degree you wish to study at the point of application, but if your interests change as you progress through the foundation year you can apply to switch to a different degree programme

• You will develop an understanding of the post-colonial world through a historical and historiographical survey of the British Empire from the 17th to the late 20th century

• Learn about social, cultural and political themes, including industrialisation, urbanisation, politicisation, radicalism, democracy, liberalism, constitutionalism and national identity in relation to the Battle for the Ballot

• You will acquire skills in historical methodology, including innovative practices such as oral history, public history, and applied history

• Learn how to effectively communicate information, arguments, and analysis in written form. You will successfully deploy techniques such as source evaluation, critical judgment and referencing

• Develop your ability to think critically about knowledge production and communication; look beyond the words on the page, delve into the emotional meaning of images and spoken word, and dig into the truth behind the data

• History is a relevant, dynamic, fascinating, and important field of study which, at Goldsmiths, is approached in creative, innovative, and exciting ways.

• History is the study of the past. Through history, we uncover the richness of human experience across different societies, cultures, times, and places. We learn how the everyday representations and realities of our lives came to be. History enables us to better understand ourselves. History helps us make a better future.

• Goldsmiths has a rich heritage of social awareness, civic engagement, creative arts, digital innovation, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. As a Goldsmiths graduate, you will be among the most critically engaged, interdisciplinary educated, and socially aware graduates of the University of London.

• We are global. You will learn about the history of the world from Britain to the Balkans, from Ireland to India, and from Africa to America. You will learn about the depth and breadth of global connections that span our multicultural world.

• You will learn about key events in history, from the Silk Road to the Cold War. You will discover their continuing legacies. You will learn about the long history of ideas such as democracy, liberalism, identity, equality, terrorism, gender, health, and sexuality. You will learn how to think critically about knowledge production and communication; to look beyond the words on the page, delve into the emotional meaning of images and spoken word, and to dig into the truth behind the data.

• We help you explore your interests. Following progression onto Year 1 of the BA History programme, you will be able to choose from a wide variety of optional modules. In years 2 and 3, you can choose to study module options at Birkbeck, Kings College London, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, and University College London. In your final year, you will undertake a research dissertation on a topic of your own choosing.

• We are research-led. You will learn how to think critically by being introduced to cutting-edge research in fields like non-traditional military history, Black British history, and Queer history. You will be introduced to innovative historical methods from oral and public history. Archival collections at Goldsmiths and Senate House, and numerous digital collections, will be at your disposal.