The University of Sunderland has a growing reputation for teaching and research excellence and, with other organisations in the City, is helping to nurture the skills and resources that have transformed Sunderland in recent years. Whether you want to build upon your previous studies or boost your career opportunities, the University of Sunderland can offer you a programme that will pave the way for success in your chosen field.

The University of Sunderland is one of the most dynamic institutions of higher education in Northern England. We currently have around 15,000 students. A big advantage of studying in Sunderland is that most students can live very close to the main University buildings thanks to the wealth of University accommodation and compact nature of the city. This can make a huge difference in the ease of your lifestyle, cutting down on time and hassle spent in travelling.

Sunderland has a lower cost of living than more or less anywhere else in the UK. Whether you are shopping for food, going out to the pubs and clubs, or renting a place to live, you'll find the prices a pleasant surprise compared to other parts of the country.

The History degree at Sunderland is designed to develop students' powers of critical enquiry and analysis. History is important because it both enables us to understand the past and gives important insights into the contemporary world. The programme provides a wide variety of history modules, ranging from early America to modern Russia, from imperialism to the history of sport. It also gives the opportunity to study other subjects directly relevant to history, such as politics, sociology and modern languages.

We aim to give students a great deal of flexibility in their choice of modules so that they can pursue their own individual historical interests. Modules expose students to a range of historical sources, encouraging critical thinking about materials used. In the final year, students choose to study a special subject based as far as possible on original sources.

The University of Sunderland has the high quality teaching skills and facilities needed to give you a first class education. The degree builds on the long tradition of studying history at Sunderland, but also puts stress on modern approaches to the subject. The history staff publish widely and during your course you will probably use books written by Sunderland staff such as Dr Peter Wilson’s German Armies and Prof Peter Waldron's The End of Imperial Russia, 1855-1917.

The History degree is based in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences which has a lively student community and its own learning resources centre complete with a wide range of facilities for students to use.

The University of Sunderland has a long tradition of extending educational opportunity and we welcome applications from students with a wide range of backgrounds. We look at every application individually and are keen to offer places to students who have the potential to benefit from the course.

Students require 160 points from a combination of A level (AS and A2), AS level, GNVQ (6, or 3 unit), or equivalent Scottish or Irish Highers.

We adopt a flexible approach to mature applicants. Applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of ability to study.

The course offers considerable variety in the ways in which students learn and are assessed, aimed at developing capabilities of independent judgement, analytical and communication skills.

The BA History takes three years to complete in full time mode. Each year, or level, you have to study one compulsory core module which deals with the broad framework of history - its methods, theory and perspectives.

Year 1

All students must take the core module Concepts, Skills and Sources in History - and a short module to develop your information-handling and IT skills.

Students then take three other history modules which provide a foundation in American, British and European history. A final module can then come from complementary subjects including:

Year 2

Students chose five history modules in the second level, taken from more than a dozen on offer They allow you to follow up the themes studied in Year 1, as well as to embark on new areas of study. Modules include:

Year 3

In the final year students must study a 'special subject' - this involves getting to grips with a topic in depth and using original sources to enhance understanding. The special subjects on offer at the moment include:

In addition, students must also write a dissertation, utilising original sources. Further modules are chosen from a wide range including:

• Europe 1917-39

• Russia and the Soviet Union, 1855-1991

• Women in British society

• The English Working Class, 1750-1950

• Imperialism and decolonisation

Study abroad

There is the opportunity to spend part of the second year studying at a European or American university and experiencing a different educational system.

Tony Gonzalez

Recruitment Officer

Tel: (0191) 515 3430

e-mail: tony.gonzalez@sunderland.ac.uk

Professor Peter Waldron

Admissions Tutor

Tel: (0191) 515 2237

e-mail: peter.waldron@sunderland.ac.uk

Dr Matt Perry

Programme Leader

Tel: (0191) 515 2205

e-mail: matt.perry@sunderland.ac.uk

University of Sunderland Applications Unit

Tel: (0191) 515 3154

Or visit our web site at http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/trialadmissions.html