JMU – as most people call the University – is one of the UK’s new generation universities formed from the Liverpool Polytechnic in 1992. It takes its name from Sir John Moores, the founder of the Littlewoods business group. Sir John’s dedication to the creation of opportunity for all is at the heart of JMU’s ethos. And, as a forward-looking, dynamic institution, JMU has played a vital role in the cultural renaissance of Liverpool and has taken an active part in the regeneration of the city. As such, the University occupies some of the most prestigious and historic buildings in Liverpool.

JMU is distinct from other universities in that students get the opportunity to do so many other things as well as their course. Preparation for work is part of the JMU ethos, and one that defines its teaching activity; relevance and experience in the work place are underlying themes. A degree from JMU will help you to progress in the job market but not at the expense of solid academic grounding. This is reflected in the consistently high-rated quality assessments which JMU receives from national benchmarking reviews.

Another clear advantage of studying at JMU is that it is located in the vibrant, rejuvenating city of Liverpool with its new industries, major call centres and cutting edge technology parks. Local companies seek student employees, and there is plenty of part-time work for students to gain financially without interfering with their studies. But Liverpool, of course, isn’t just about work. The city is justly famous for its contemporary culture, music and social scene, with internationally renowned clubs like Cream selling their own fashion as well. Culturally there’s so much on offer from the world-famous Tate of the North and Walker Art Galleries to the The Beatles Story at the marvellously renovated Albert Dock. Liverpool is also home to two internationally renowned football teams.

Liverpool John Moores University has over 20,000 students. The University is based in the city of Liverpool and located in three distinct clusters. The History Section is located within the Centre for Social Science in the Henry Cotton Campus which is near the city centre.

The History degree at JMU focuses on the modern period from about 1750 to the present day. It offers a wide-range of exciting courses on the history of Britain, Europe and the wider world. Notable highlights are distinctive and innovative modules on Genocide in the Third Reich, Japan since 1868, and the history of sport and leisure. The degree is firmly rooted in the ‘real world’, epitomised by our unique Level 1 course, Presenting the Past, which examines the portrayal of History in contemporary society – for example, in the heritage industry and in film. Our Level 2 course on Historians and IT, meanwhile, allows you to develop computing skills in conjunction with the study of the past. In line with JMU’s general ethos of preparing students for employment, we also offer a work-based learning option at Level 2. Indeed, generally, a History degree from JMU will prove an asset in the job market. A degree in History is widely recognised by employers as providing a sound intellectual training in critical awareness and the development of key problem solving skills. As a result, our History graduates gain employment in such diverse areas as teaching in schools, colleges and universities, business, law, the civil service, journalism, the media, museum and archive work, and within mainstream political parties.

The Historians at JMU received a 3b rating in the 1996 Research Assessment Exercise, and a key element in our approach is that our cutting-edge research informs the teaching programme. Alongside attending lectures and seminars taught by enthusiastic and approachable staff, students at JMU get the opportunity to partake in the Berlin Study Visit (see photo).

History Students and Staff on the JMU Berlin Study Visit 2000

Another distinctive element of our programme is the opportunity to study other subjects as part of your degree scheme. The great beauty of the JMU system is flexibility and choice: you can choose to take a joint or combined degree programme and study another Social Science subject with History – e.g. Politics, Economics, Geography and Sociology. We also have strong links with the arts and humanities and History can additionally be studied with Literature and American Studies. On the other hand, you can opt for Single Honours History from Level 1. Even here, however, you have the opportunity to take some courses in the other Social Science subjects.

Finally, Liverpool provides a great setting to study the past. Liverpool’s origins go back almost 800 year, from a tiny fishing village on the Banks of the River Mersey to the bustling centre of trade, ‘gateway to empire’ and global city of the nineteenth century. The evidence is all around: the city has more Georgian terraces than Bath and more listed buildings than anywhere outside London. The Maritime Museum at the Albert Dock tells the story of Liverpool’s world-wide shipping industry and the downside of its central role in the slave trade of the eighteenth century. Such a fascinating history is reflected in the many collections of historical sources in the City’s numerous libraries, archives and museums - and these can be studied if you choose to write a dissertation in the final year.

The following BA degree courses are available:

HISTORY SINGLE HONOURS (V100 BA/His)

HISTORY AND POLITICS (LV21 Mod/HisPol)

HISTORY AND EUROPEAN STUDIES (RV91 Mod/EUSHis)

HISTORY AND SOCIOLOGY (LV31 Mod/HisSoc)

HISTORY AND AMERICAN STUDIES (TV71 Mod/AMHis)

HISTORY AND HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (LV71 Mod/HisHG)

HISTORY AND ECONOMICS (LV11 Mod/ECHis)

HISTORY AND LITERATURE AND CULTURAL HISTORY (QV31 Mod/HisLCH)

The history degree at JMU provides students with a staged learning progression.

Modules at level 1 provide foundation skills on the nature of historical sources, and the role of history in society. The curriculum includes survey modules of important historical themes and techniques and a tutorial module on the specialist study of a particular historical period.

Semester 2: Presenting the Past; Historical Themes; Historians in Action

Modules at Level 2 include a core module on the nature of historical discourse and historical techniques (including IT skills) plus a number of survey modules on the history of Britain, Europe and the wider world in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Semester 2: Language and History; 20th century British Social and Economic History; Lloyd George to Thatcher: British Political History 1914-1990; European History 1900-1989; The Realities of Imperialism in Africa and Asia 1870-1914; Mass Entertainment in Britain since 1945; Hiroshima to the Microchip: Japan since 1945.

* Students also have the opportunity to undertake work-based learning.

Modules at Level 3 are concerned with developing advanced and specialist knowledge, synthesis and self-definition of skill application and in the setting as well as the achieving of work outcomes. There are core modules on the philosophy of history as well as a broad range of options concerned with specialist areas of nineteenth and twentieth century history. Students also have the opportunity to engage in an independent study and/or a dissertation.

Semester 2: The Philosophy of History; Genocide in the Third Reich; The Cold War in Historical Perspective; Zero Hour: De-Nazification in Germany 1945-1951; The End of European Empires in South East Asia; Poverty and Prejudice: The Irish in British Society 1815-1922; Chartism; Trade Union History 1914-1990; Transport History in the 20th century; Labour and Locality: Elections in Britain.

* Students can also undertake a dissertation in History

Admissions Tutor, History

Centre for Social Science

Liverpool John Moores University

Henry Cotton Campus

15-21 Webster Street

Liverpool

L3 2ET