University College Worcester is an attractive, single-campus site based in the historic town of Worcester. Approximately 60 students (normally equally balanced between males and females) are recruited each year to study undergraduate History.

UCW has offered high quality higher education for over fifty years. Unlike some larger campuses, we’ve retained a friendly and supportive atmosphere which is highly valued by our students. Located in one of the most beautiful areas of the Heart of England, UCW is an easily accessible and pleasant location. The historic city of Worcester has plenty to offer you – an historic cathedral, lively nightlife, the County Cricket Ground, professional rugby union club and one of the oldest racecourses in the country. The Malvern Hills are only a few miles away and Birmingham, Bristol and Oxford are all easily accessible.

Excellent facilities exist at University College Worcester to help you get the most out of academic life and leisure time. These include a purpose built library at the centre of campus, computer centre and comprehensive learning support and careers advisory services.

The College has a very active Students’ Union managing a wide range of clubs and societies and arranging a varied programme of entertainment throughout the year. Accommodation is also available on campus, most in self-catering flatlets. All this in a beautiful part of the country with the historic city of Worcester just 5 minutes away.

All students also have the opportunity to study for one semester in Europe, the USA or Canada as part of a College-wide programme of exchanges and visits.

The History Department consists of nine full-time lecturers, many of them internationally recognised experts in their field. We pride ourselves on the close-knit nature of the department and strive to maintain an informal, friendly and supportive environment for our students.

We operate a genuine ‘open door’ policy. Tutors are available for individual tutorials to discuss coursework before and after it has been submitted and to offer general advice about learning skills. Help is always at hand if you feel uncertain about your studies.

The UCW library currently subscribes to around 60 History journals, and useful collections of primary sources (newspapers, published correspondence, parliamentary papers and reports, for example). Worcester County Record Office is also nearby for those wishing to undertake local research.

The student-run History Society organises regular social events to enable staff and students to meet and socialise in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

The History Department regularly stages guest lectures by distinguished historians from other institutions.

In general you are free to study the History modules of your choice. The flexibility of the History degree structure allows you to choose modules to follow particular pathways in, for example, media history, women’s history, or social history. Subject specialisms of staff include early modern and modern Britain, Russia and the Soviet Union c.1890-present, Ireland 1690-1848, Germany c.1860-1945, the USA c.1860-1975, and Imperial history.

• Offers based on 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 12 units, including at least two six unit awards (e.g. A level or Vocational A level) in any subject areas. Key skills tariff points at Level 3 or above at Level 3 or above can be included in the overall point score
• 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 12 units, including at least one six unit award (e.g. A level or Vocational A level) in History. Key skills tariff points at Level 3 or above can be included in the overall point score
• Five GCE passes including two at A level (Grade D or above)
• Advanced GNVQ at Merit
• Edexcel National Diploma – 75% of modules at Merit
• Access to HE certificate

We welcome applications from students without formal qualifications – please see Mature Students section for details.

History can be studied as a Single, Major, Joint or Minor Honours subject. Subjects which can be studied jointly with History include English, Sociology, Heritage Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, Drama, Business Management, Information Technology and Sports Studies.

As a UCW History graduate, you will have gained valuable skills which are in particular demand by employers, including the ability to analyse complex ideas, to form well-researched and reasoned arguments, and to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

The wide range of assessment methods which you will encounter means that your final degree classification will be an accurate and fair reflection of your undergraduate performance. Assessment methods include essays, documentary analysis, oral presentations, book and film reviews, research reports, Independent Study and timed essays. There are no traditional examinations in History.

Recent Worcester History graduates have found employment in the legal profession, civil service, local government, education, police force, universities, and archive work, to name a few examples. Many have gone on to postgraduate study of various kinds at Worcester and elsewhere.

Postgraduate opportunities are available at Worcester through the taught Master’s Degree in History or research degrees (MPhil and PhD). A PGCE History course is also available.

Year 1

You are required to take the mandatory module ‘How to do History’ which will provide you with practical guidance on the skills you will need to research and write History at undergraduate level. The module also examines the nature of historical debate.

You are required to take one module in early modern British history (either ‘From Reformation to Civil War, 1530-1660’ or ‘Britain in the Long Eighteenth Century, 1688-1815’) and one module in twentieth century non-British history (either ‘Aspects of the Contemporary World from 1917’ or ‘Democracy and Totalitarianism in Twentieth-Century Europe, 1914-89’

 Year 2

In Year Two you are required to take ‘An Introduction to Historical Research’, a module designed to prepare you for your independent study which you complete in Year Three. Apart from this module you are free to choose freely from the range of History modules on offer. These may include, for example:

• Economy, Society and Politics in Britain, 1914-45
• The Kaiserreich: the German Empire, 1871-1918
• The United States in the Cold War
• The Russian Revolutions of 1917
• The Black Experience in the USA: Martin Luther King and his Opponents

• Witchcraft
• Nazi Germany 1933-45: Politics, War and Genocide
• Propaganda and Politics in the Twentieth Century
• Media Myth and Contemporary British History

• The Home Front, Britain 1939-45
• The Emergence of Modern Ireland, 1776-1848
• Britain and the Impact of World War 1
• Women: Family, Work and Politics 1780-1990
• Poverty and Pauperism under the Old and New Poor Law
• Church and People in England, 1559-1660
• (Re)presenting the Past: History in Film

Year 3

In your final year you will research and write a 10,000 word Independent Study (double module) which allows you to explore in depth a subject in which you are particularly interested. You will be guided in this exercise by a supervisor, who will offer you individual support. In addition you are required to study a module in comparative history, either ‘Nationalism’ or ‘Agents of Social Change’. You are free to choose the remainder of your modules form those offered in that year.

For advice and information on entry requirements and application procedures, please contact the Registry on: 01905 855111

University College Worcester

Henwick Grove

Worcester

WR2 6AJ

Tel: 01905 855111

Email: admissions@worc.ac.uk