Modern and Contemporary History Undergraduate

The course gives you the opportunity to study the modern period from 1750 to the present in Britain, Europe and the U.S.A. in detail. If you take this degree you will investigate the evolution of modern western society and politics, but your studies will also include a consideration of less tangible influences on western attitudes, from the Americanization of popular culture to the break up of Empires and the globalization of economic activity.

Of course, although you will specialize in the modern and contemporary 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 modern and contemporary 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 the great houses of Plas Newydd and Penrhyn Castle on the doorstep, and the house where David Lloyd George was born at Llanystumdwy (near Criccieth) nearby. 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.

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You will have about 12 hours of lectures, seminars and tutorials each week. We make extensive use of film and TV footage, online resources and oral interviews to bring the subject to life. You will also take part in field trips. Recent examples include a visit to the Imperial War Museum in Manchester.

Assessment includes a mixture of exams, essays, portfolios, podcasts, blog entries and the final year dissertation which you complete under the guidance of your tutor.

What will you study on this course?

Year 1

Each of the first-year modules introduces a fresh theme and new ways of looking at the past. Contemporary issues are studied in a historical context and discussed in relation to past experiences.

Compulsory modules:

• Introduction to Modern History 1815–1914

Optional modules from a range in disciplines such as:

• History or Welsh History
• Social Policy, Economics, Languages or Modern Literature

Year 2

You will study a combination of broad-themed modules with more detailed optional modules. The choice includes modules that either address contemporary issues, or show how recent events and actions are structured or influenced.

Compulsory module:

• Debating History

Optional modules (examples):

• USA 1945-2001
• America: Revolution to Civil War
• Britain in the Jazz Age
• Thatcher’s Britain
• Europe: the Age of the Cold War
• Victorian Britain
• Britannia Rule the Waves

Year 3 

You have the chance to focus your study by following a special subject. You will become a real authority on a period or theme, drawing on skills already developed and the current research interests of the academic staff. In the dissertation you will undertake your own research reflecting your interests and use original sources.

Compulsory modules:

• Special Subject: examples include Britain in the 1960s; Nationalism in the UK; Celtic Revival 1800-1920; Anarchism in Europe and the USA
• Dissertation

Optional modules:

• Choose from a range of options (see Year 2 options above)

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 Modern and Contemporary History Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

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/EU Student Tuition Fees (starting in 2019–20 & 2020–21)

• Full time: £9,000 per year
• Part time: £750 per 10 credits

International Student Tuition Fees*
* Please note: the international tuition fees displayed are for the current academic year (2020-21). The fees for the next academic year (2021-22) will be confirmed soon.

When coming to University, you will have two main costs, Tuition Fees and Living 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 guest tickets (£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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

USA Requirements

International Year Zero:  HSD GPA 2.0 OR SAT 1500+ 
International Year 1:  HSD GPA 3.0 OR SAT 500+ each section OR ACTs 26+  
Undergraduate Courses:  HSD GPA 3.0 OR SAT 550+ each section OR ACTs 26+  
Postgraduate Courses:  Bachelor Degree GPA of 3.0. GRE not required 
PhD/Research Course:  Masters Degree 

Note: Some courses may require higher entry requirements. Refer Individual Course page for details. 

Applicants from USA need NOT provide additional evidence of English Language ability, if previous education was with English medium of instruction. Otherwise, an IELTS overall 6.0 with 5.5 in each component or equivalent is normally required (some courses may require a higher score).

For 2021 entry:

Offers are tariff based, 96 - 120 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 -  DDM
• 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

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 public administration, 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 political work, law, accountancy and the cultural industries.

By studying for a 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

Second and third year 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

General University Application

How to apply through UCAS

Apply online via UCAS

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. All university applications are processed through UCAS and then passed on to the universities listed.

Students may apply for a maximum of five courses. For Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses students are only allowed to apply for four courses.

The application form is found on the UCAS website, under ‘Apply’.

When to apply?

We advise you to apply as early as you can as we will start considering applications and making offers straight away. The initial UCAS deadline for UK and EU students is 15 January, however we welcome applications after this date. Those received between 15 January and 30 June will continue to be forwarded to universities by UCAS and will receive consideration where places are still available.

Your Personal Statement

Writing your Personal Statement is the part of the application form that requires most work. You are only allowed 47 lines or 500–550 words to explain why you wish to study the course and the skills you have that are essential for university study.

To write a successful personal statement for your UCAS application you must have a good understanding about the course and its content. Remember that you write only one personal statement for your five choices. Make sure that the courses are similar, if not the same, and make sure that you do not mention a specific course or university.

Read our advice on how to draft a winning personal statement or watch our video guide.

After you’ve applied

You should keep an eye on your application on UCAS ‘Track’. Offers from universities will appear on track and you will be able to accept or decline offers.

You can only reply when you have received all your decisions. The types of reply you can make are firm acceptance and insurance acceptance. Usually students reply in early May.

International Student?

If you are an international student, our International Student pages offer further information on applying.

As an international student applying to study one of our undergraduate programmes you can:

• apply via UCAS,
• or apply direct to Bangor through our online direct application system
• or apply with the help of one of our recruitment agents

Erasmus student?

We receive around 350 exchange students every year from all over the world. 45% of these students come from Europe and the remainder from as far as Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

The University’s International Exchanges Office is responsible for welcoming these students.

Confused about your next steps?

Take a look at our Going to University website for information and advice on getting ready for university.