About This Course
The course gives you the opportunity to study the pre-modern period (before 1750) in Europe, Britain and Wales in detail. This is a period that sees the fall of Rome but the continuation of its legacy, particularly in the form of the Church; invasions by Arabs, Magyars, Vikings, and Ottomans; the Crusades; the birth of the universities; the Renaissance; the Reformation; and the development of modern nation states and forms of government.
Of course, although you will specialize in the medieval and early-modern periods, you will still enjoy all the interest, stimulation and experience of a History degree. History remains one of the most popular degree subjects in the UK. It has an established range of concerns, but it is always expanding and changing as it responds to new themes or ideas raised by other disciplines. It is also a very practical subject, and during your degree you will develop various transferable skills that employers value highly. Surveys consistently indicate that History graduates obtain employment more rapidly than graduates in many apparently more 'vocational' subjects.
When making your decision about what you might want to study at Bangor, you should bear in mind that you could choose to read for a degree not only in History but also in Welsh History; History with Archaeology; Heritage, Archaeology and History; History with Journalism; History with Film Studies; and joint degrees including History such as History and English.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- Although we are a relatively small School, we offer an unusually broad selection of modules covering the medieval and early-modern periods, taught by lecturers who are experts in their fields. Naturally, our research influences, and is integrated into, our teaching.
- Our degrees are rigorous and will thus develop your skills of analysis, argument, and criticism, but you will be learning in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Staff are approachable, and enthusiastic.
- You will often be taught in small groups, and because the School admits only about 120 students every year, staff will know your name. In addition, you will have access to various IT resources including our VLE (Blackboard), have the opportunity to go on fieldtrips or attend events like the annual Gregynog medieval colloquium, and attend the School’s research seminars.
- We recognize the importance of transferable skills to you and your future employers, including the ability to write well and to present clearly and your ability to use a number of different IT packages. These are an integral part of the degree programmes we offer.
- The local area is steeped in history, with Beaumaris and Caernarfon castles, and Conwy with its castle and the sixteenth century Plas Mawr, on the doorstep. These monuments provide a resource for field work and make Bangor a superb location for study. If you have a particular interest in Welsh History we are a natural place to study the subject.
Ask us a question
Course Content
You will have about 8 to 10 hours of lectures, seminars and tutorials per week. There is a high degree of individual tuition, particularly during the dissertations in the third year. Outside formal teaching you will need to read around the subject and prepare for seminars (sometimes involving presentations) and complete coursework and assessed essays.
Some modules include field trips (these are optional if there is a charge). Examples: Hampton Court for William III special subject; Museums in the Isle of Man and Ireland for Viking, Celtic and Anglo- Saxon modules. You may spend one module gaining work experience. This could be working in a local museum, local archives, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, the National Trust. Assessment is a mixture of essays, projects and examinations. The dissertation is an important part of the final assessment.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Medieval and Early Modern History Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Course Costs
Mandatory Costs:
There are no mandatory costs, but if a student spends £50 on books per module then it would cost £300 pa.
Necessarily Incurred Costs:
Travel to placements: Some basic travel costs might be incurred depending on the location of the placement. An average example would be 2 weeks, public transport, £40.
Optional Costs:
Extra costs might be incurred if students decide to purchase more books, but this optional and entirely down to the individual.
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry).
- More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
For 2021 entry:
Offers are tariff based, 96 - 112 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.
- A Levels (no specific subjects required but History preferred)
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma and Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma:MMM - DMM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical/ Extended Diploma: considered on a case by case basis
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
- Access
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted.
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information here.
We also welcome applications from mature applicants.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
General University Requirements
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.
Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.
EU and International students' entry requirements
For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
More information
Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants
E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717
International students (non-UCAS applicants)
Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028
Careers
This course provides specialist knowledge and a range of analytical and presentational skills which will enable you to tackle a variety of career options centring on administrative and leadership needs, for example, in company personnel departments, the civil service and local government as well as in a range of directly transferable vocations. Graduates have in recent years gained careers in museum work, law, teaching and the cultural industries
By studying for a degree in course you will acquire a wide range of transferable skills, be they academic or personal. History graduates are desirable employees due to the variety of skills they develop during the course of their degree. These transferable skills include:
- An ability to review critically the literature and formulate logical and structured arguments
- An ability to make effective oral presentations
- The development of writing and editorial skills
- An appreciation of the complexity and diversity of situations, events and past mentalities
- Experience gained from carrying out and completing a major research project in the third year – the dissertation
- Good IT skills
- Time management skills
These transferable skills are fundamental to other employment sectors, such as the public sector, teaching, tourism, law, accountancy and management.
Work experience opportunities at Bangor University
Year 2 and 3 students are provided with the opportunity to complete work-placement modules, which can be carried out in the university or through external organizations. These are assessed as part of the final degree. The programme enhances employability prospects and offers an insight into the type of employment opportunities a degree in history offers. Students have undertaken placements in a wide range of workplaces, including archives and heritage centres.
For more information on employment opportunities in history, please click here.
It is now possible to supplement your degree with the Bangor Employability Award. For more information on this award, please click here.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)
The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.
The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.
The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.
Internships
Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.
Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.
Student Volunteering
Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.
The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.
TARGETconnect - Working while you Study
The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.
TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:
- Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
- Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
- Work experience / internships
- Voluntary opportunities
