MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
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BA (Hons) History (with a Placement Year)
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) History (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, offers a dynamic and extended journey through the past, designed to develop intellectually astute and highly employable graduates. This four-year undergraduate degree immerses students in the critical study of historical periods, events, and themes, ranging from ancient societies to contemporary global issues. Beyond acquiring deep historical knowledge, students hone advanced analytical, research, and interpretative skills essential for understanding complex narratives and evaluating diverse evidence. A distinguishing feature of this program is the integrated year-long work placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. This invaluable experience allows students to apply their historical insights in a professional setting, gaining practical skills, commercial awareness, and building vital industry networks, significantly enhancing their career prospects and professional confidence upon graduation.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BA (Hons) History (with a Placement Year) is thoughtfully structured to provide a comprehensive and progressive understanding of historical studies, augmented by a significant period of professional experience. In the first year, students build foundational knowledge with core modules like "Critical Skills in History" and "Doing History," alongside optional modules exploring diverse periods such as "Medieval Societies," "Early Modern Worlds," "The British Empire," and "Modern Britain and the World." The second year allows for greater specialisation and deeper engagement with historical sources and debates through core modules such as "Methods and Theories of History" and "Liberty or Death: The French Revolution," with optional modules covering a vast range of topics including "American History," "Irish History," "The Holocaust," "Europe in the Era of the Cold War," and "Slavery and Empire in the Atlantic World." The third year is dedicated to the compulsory "Placement Year," where students gain real-world professional experience in a relevant sector. The final academic year culminates in a significant "Dissertation," allowing for independent, in-depth research on a historical topic of their choice, alongside advanced optional modules such as "The Tudors and Stuarts," "War, Propaganda and Society," and "Gender and Society in Victorian Britain."
Research Focus: The BA (Hons) History (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University is deeply informed by the diverse and active research interests of its academic staff. Faculty members are published experts spanning a broad range of historical periods and geographical areas, including medieval, early modern, and modern British history, the British Empire, Irish history, American history, European history, and thematic areas such as social history, political history, religious history, and the history of conflict and memory. The department also hosts the Centre for History and Public Pasts. Students are systematically trained in critical historical research methodologies throughout their degree, with a significant focus on source analysis, historiography, and developing their own research questions. The culminating dissertation in the final year provides a pivotal opportunity for students to engage in independent, original research under expert supervision, which can often be informed and enriched by experiences gained during their placement year.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a core and highly beneficial component of the BA (Hons) History (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, strategically designed to boost graduate employability. The university's advantageous location in London provides exceptional access to a wealth of historical institutions, national archives, museums, heritage sites, and cultural organisations. The compulsory year-long industrial placement is a pivotal feature, offering students direct exposure to professional environments in sectors such as heritage, archives, museums, civil service, policy research, journalism, or other fields where strong analytical, research, and communication skills are valued. This experience allows students to apply their academic knowledge in practical settings, build extensive professional networks, and develop crucial commercial awareness. The curriculum also develops highly transferable skills in research, analysis, critical thinking, and effective communication, all of which are directly applicable in a wide array of professional contexts.
Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) History (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University inherently fosters a strong global perspective by exploring historical events, movements, and interconnectedness across different continents and cultures. While providing detailed modules on British and European history, the curriculum also offers extensive opportunities to engage with American history, the history of empires, and broader global themes such as migration, conflict, and societal change on an international scale. Students learn to understand how historical developments in one part of the world have influenced others, encouraging a nuanced appreciation of global historical processes and their contemporary relevance. This international outlook is further enhanced by the university's diverse student body and its London location, a global city with rich historical connections worldwide. Graduates are thus prepared to critically engage with complex global issues and appreciate the long-term historical roots of contemporary challenges, a perspective often broadened by international experiences during their placement year.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BA (Hons) History (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, offers its graduates a robust set of highly sought-after transferable skills, significantly enhanced by a year of practical professional experience. The degree cultivates exceptional abilities in critical analysis, rigorous research, analytical reasoning, and persuasive communication, all refined through deep engagement with complex historical narratives and sources. Graduates emerge with an understanding of diverse cultures, political systems, and societal developments across time, coupled with the tangible benefits of workplace exposure, making them adaptable, insightful, and highly competitive professionals capable of addressing contemporary challenges with a historically informed perspective and proven practical skills.
Archivist / Records Manager: History graduates, particularly those with placement experience in archives or records management departments, are ideally suited for preserving and managing historical records and documents. They work in national, local, or specialist archives, ensuring historical materials are accessible for research and future generations.
Museum Curator / Heritage Manager: With a deep understanding of historical objects and contexts, often enhanced by practical experience from a heritage placement, graduates can work in museums, galleries, or heritage sites. They are involved in curating exhibitions, managing collections, and ensuring the conservation and interpretation of historical places and artefacts.
Teacher (Secondary or Primary): Many History graduates pursue a career in education, often by undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Their subject expertise, combined with the communication and organisational skills potentially developed during a placement year, make them excellent educators.
Civil Servant / Policy Officer: The analytical, research, and policy evaluation skills developed through a History degree are highly valued in government and public administration. A placement year in a government department or related agency provides direct experience in contributing to policy development, research, and administrative roles.
Journalist / Researcher (Media): History graduates' strong research, critical evaluation, and writing skills, particularly if honed during a media-related placement, are highly applicable to journalism. They can work as researchers, reporters, or feature writers for various media outlets, specialising in current affairs or historical features.
Librarian / Information Manager: With their meticulous approach to information gathering and organisation, often demonstrated in a library or information services placement, History graduates are well-suited for roles in libraries or information management, assisting in classifying, cataloguing, and making resources accessible.
Solicitor / Barrister (after further qualification): The rigorous analytical thinking, ability to construct arguments, and research skills cultivated in a History degree provide an excellent foundation for a career in law. A placement (e.g., in a legal department of a company or a law firm) can provide valuable practical insight before pursuing a law conversion course (e.g., GDL).
Academic Researcher / University Lecturer: For those passionate about continued scholarly inquiry, a History degree can lead to postgraduate study (MA, PhD) and eventually a career as an academic researcher or university lecturer. The placement year can offer valuable insights into different research environments or broader professional contexts.
Genealogist: Given the public interest in tracing family histories, History graduates can apply their research and archival skills to work as professional genealogists, helping individuals uncover and document their ancestral lines. A placement in a relevant archive could be highly beneficial.
Project Manager (Various Sectors): The ability to manage complex information, organise resources, and deliver projects on time, honed through dissertation work and potentially a professional placement, makes History graduates strong candidates for project management roles across diverse sectors, including business, charities, and public services.
