BA (Hons)
UCAS code: V101
Start dates: September 2024 / September 2025
Full time: 3 years
Part time: up to 6 years
Location: Headington
Department(s): School of Education, Humanities and Languages
Overview
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Overview
A history degree is about far more than studying the past. Discover why people act the way they do. Explore how societies develop. Then see how your insights apply to the present day so you can uncover answers to issues that could affect everyone’s future. And, by studying in Oxford, you’ll be among great museums and famous historical sites.
You’ll look at 500 years of British, European, and American history to reveal the origins of our modern world. We delve into a huge range of topics, from Marxism to medicine, religion to revolution, conservatism to crime. With a range of modules, each designed and taught by an expert in that area, you’ll always benefit from our latest research.
We’ll never ask you to simply memorise dates and names. Instead, you’ll write essays, deliver presentations, and analyse sources so you can ask big questions and learn to create your own historical interpretation. And with the career skills you’ll learn, you’ll be capable of tackling any problem – with hundreds of years of historical insight to inspire you.
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Why Oxford Brookes University?
- More than texts
Study paintings, speeches, newspapers, artefacts, and visit historical locations to see what notable figures’ experiences tell us about life today.
- Develop new skills
You’ll study modules designed to help you progress through the course and have the option to go on a work placement to apply your skills.
- Friendly and supportive
Being a small department, we get to know everyone by name and we always offer regular one-to-one tutorials to support you in your studies.
- Get involved
We have an active community with the History Society running regular events like day trips, socials, and lectures.
- Study in Oxford
A city steeped in history, where you’ll have access to the famous Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum, and countless actual sites.
- Free language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
- Study abroad
You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Oxford Brookes. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.
Course details
Course structure
Your first year focuses on the skills you need for your degree, like preparing and presenting an argument. We’ll introduce you to the major themes running through the course:
- war and conflict
- cultures, races, and identities
- government and power
- faith and belief
- crime and justice
- ideas and ideologies.
In year 2, you’ll choose from a range of options from the American Civil War to the history of crime and punishment in Britain. You have the choice of a work placement to see how your skills apply in a professional setting.
Specialise even further in your third year within our subject areas. You might look at city life in Renaissance Italy. Or explore piracy in Britain. From the racist origins of modern science to the downfall of the Russian monarchy, each topic is taught by an expert in the subject. We also invite notable guest speakers to present on what you’re studying.
You can even choose your own topics. And you’ll work one-to-one with a historian on your own project. We’ll encourage you to think about how your findings can provide insights to modern-day challenges too.
Learning and teaching
You’ll be joining a tightly knit and supportive student community. You’ll get to know your seminar tutors well. And your tutors will support you every step of the way - you won’t feel like a face in the crowd. If you’re stuck on a piece of coursework or you need help understanding a concept, your tutors will be ready with advice and support.
Your tutors will be experts in their fields - and passionate about teaching History. This means your teaching will be top quality - and informed by years of expertise.
Your classes will be a mixture of larger lectures and small seminars. You’ll build confidence expressing your ideas and discussing concepts in the supportive seminar environment. And as you progress, your classes will become more close-knit and specialised. This means you’ll have more scope to actively explore your ideas and develop your thinking.
Assessment
Your assessments will build confident written skills - crucial for the workplace. You’ll be assessed wholly by coursework - you won’t have any exams. Your coursework will include:
- research essays
- source analyses
- creative life-writing exercises
- book reviews
- group projects and presentations
- module diaries and portfolios
- a final-year dissertation.
Study modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
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A People’s History of Britain
You’ll uncover Britain’s rich, multicultural history - from the Tudors to today. You’ll explore the lives of families and individuals, investigating life histories, recorded memories and material objects of the time. You’ll explore famous figures throughout the centuries. And you’ll attend seminars where you’ll discuss new perspectives on themes including:
- fashion and consumption
- material culture
- class
- demography
- welfare.
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Europe and the World, 1450-1750
What was it like to live through the early modern witch trials? How did the Scientific Revolution affect society?
See AlsoHistory BA (Hons) at Oxford Brookes UniversityPGCert in Architectural History | University of OxfordOxford marks first anniversary as University of SanctuaryFinal six make the cut in M&S Oxford Street ideas contestIn this module, you’ll explore a time of religious warfare, environmental change and political revolutions in Europe. You’ll encounter Europe’s history, and relations with the world in the early modern period, through texts, criminal records, art and buildings. And you’ll explore what life was like for people who lived through:
- Wars between Christian and Muslim powers
- European colonialism
- The execution of the King during the British Civil Wars
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Making History
In this module, you’ll gain the key skills you need to succeed in your History degree. You’ll investigate the key:
- theories
- methods
- sources
used by professional historians. And you’ll apply them to your own investigations. We’ll teach you how to express yourself effectively in different forms, unlocking your potential for excellence. You’ll also learn about the key research interests of our dynamic History team.
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Power and Dominion: Ideologies of the West, 1650-2000
In this module, you’ll gain critical knowledge of the ideas and concepts behind the rise of the West, and modern Western society. You’ll get to know the competing ideologies in Western society and power since the mid-seventeenth century. And you’ll explore marginalised groups and the processes of empire-building. You’ll gain the key skills to succeed in your degree, as you learn to:
- communicate knowledge
- present arguments
- solve problems in a scholarly way.
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Superpowers: an International History of the Cold War
Who won the Cold War? In this module, you’ll explore the rivalry between two global superpowers - the United States and Soviet Union. You’ll understand how the Cold War never featured any actual fighting between the two, yet resulted in the defeat of one. You’ll get to grips with International History, and learn about the realms of:
- diplomacy
- arms control
- proxy wars
- the creation and maintenance of alliances
- leadership and the role of personality.
And you’ll explore how people lived through the looming threat of nuclear destruction in the second half of the 20th Century.
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World at War: A History of the First World War
Why was the First World War such a pivotal moment in History? In this module, you’ll gain valuable critical skills in the study of Modern History, as you explore the depth and extent of the First World War. You’ll examine:
- the global reach of the war, particularly in the colonial territories of Asia and Africa
- the culture of war on the home front and how it affected men, women, and children
- the refugee crisis across Europe, and the plight of people in zones of conflict.
- innovations in medical care and humanitarian relief
- the birth of the idea of “crimes against humanity” and genocide
- the history of the military conflict from 1914-1918
Optional modules
Bloody Histories: Crime and Violence in the West
You’ll discover crimes in the West from 1400 to 2000, including
- Piracy
- Treason
- Poisoning
- Rape
- Blasphemy
You’ll get to know the key sources of crime historians, and the challenges in using them. You’ll connect law, crime, and punishment with the wider social context in Britain, Europe, and America. And you’ll gain key critical skills as you explore pressing debates around crime.
Origins of the Climate Crisis: A Global History of the Environment
You will engage with the ways in which the environment and the climate have changed over the past six centuries. Looking at:
- sustainability
- climate change
- conservation.
Which are pressing issues with a rich and compelling history. You will investigate environmental changes and how they were contested and experienced at communal, national and international levels. You'll think about the political, economic, social and cultural contexts of resource management, energy use and food production. Including a focus on future policy solutions
You will engage with a wide variety of historical sources which we can use to understand environmental history, including:
- demographic sources
- institutional records
- visual sources such as maps and plans.
You will gain digital history skills, through the digital mapping technology you will use on the course.
The Faiths of the West
How have religious groups shaped the West, from the ancient to the modern world? How do different religious groups interact with each other? In this module, you’ll explore:
- different religions groups and doctrines
- witchcraft and paganism
- religion in everyday life
We’ll mainly focus on Christianity, but also on the role of other faiths, such as Judaism and Islam. We’ll also look at the idea of fascism as a political religion.
Year 2
Compulsory modules
-
Creating History 1: Historians and Historiography
You’ll gain the key practical skills you need to succeed in your dissertation. You’ll unlock your academic potential, gaining invaluable research skills and the critical knowledge you need to study History at an advanced level.
You’ll dive into the various approaches of historians, and get to grips with different historical methods. You’ll gain fantastic critical skills as you debate pressing historical questions. And you’ll learn to structure and develop an argument through the use of primary sources.
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Creating History 2: Researching Primary Materials
You’ll get to know a huge range of primary sources - including cartoons, buildings and diaries. You’ll gain the skills to analyse primary sources in a skilled and detailed way, ready for your third year. And you’ll consolidate the practical and analytical skills you’ve gained so far in your degree.
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The Making of Modern Britain: Culture, Community and Family in Britain 1660-1918
How have families interacted over time? And how have they related to their communities? And governments?
In this module, you'll explore the social and cultural history of the family. You'll consider how gender, class, age and sexuality have affected our home lives. You'll look at what has made up a family over the years. You'll unpick how they marked births, marriage and deaths. And you'll discover how families coped with people who didn't fit with their norms.
You'll delve into:
- Making marriages
- Family rituals and material culture
- Sex and family planning
- Divorce, bigamy and illegitimacy
- Family secrets and shame.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Students must study one module option related to The Making of Modern Britain. -
The Making of Modern Britain: Politics, Society and Culture in Modern Britain, c. 1815-1997
How has British politics changed since the end of the Napoleonic Wars? How has industrialisation, immigration and the growth of cities changed our lives? And how are views on gender, race and citizenship changing? In this module, you'll explore:
- changing party politics - and the rise of the Labour Party
- ideas on empire, citizenship and 'the nation'
- the changing role of women in British society
- the emergence of Scottish, Welsh and Irish nationalism
- sport, leisure and what we do in our spare time.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Students must study one module option related to The Making of Modern Britain. -
The Making of the Modern World: Brave New Worlds: Evolution and its Discontents
How did the theory of evolution develop? And why is it so important in how we understand people? And in how we practise medicine? In this module, you’ll explore the history of evolutionary ideas and how they’re applied - in medicine and society. Studying primary texts and secondary sources, you’ll investigate how evolutionary scientists argued for their theories. And you’ll look at their explosive impact on Victorian public discussion. You’ll also consider more recent controversies - like human cloning, gene therapy and in-vitro fertilisation.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Students must study one module option related to The Making of the Modern World. -
The Making of the Modern World: Crisis of the West
In this module, you’ll study the period of crisis that overtook Western society from the late 19th century to the start of World War II. You’ll look at the sweeping changes, uprisings and political extremism that created a sense of crisis. These include:
- urbanisation and mass politics at the end of the 19th century
- the Russian Revolution of 1917 and its impact
- the role of nationalism and imperial ambitions between the World Wars
- the rise of extreme political movements in Europe
- the role of consumerism in the 1920s and 1930s.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Students must study one module option related to The Making of the Modern World.
Optional modules
A History of Modern Ideas
Does anything exist outside our minds? Do morals come from within us, or from society?
Philosophers have been asking these questions, and others about human existence, for centuries. But if philosophers are also products of their time, are their ideas simply a result of the society they lived in?
In this module, you’ll take a whirlwind tour in the history of ideas - from ancient times to today. You’ll get to know the core ideas of philosophy in Western history. And you’ll become familiar with the questions and ideas of:
- Plato and Aristotle in Ancient Greece
- Rousseau and Voltaire during the Enlightenment of the 18th century
- Marx during the “age of the masses” in the 19th century
- Nietszche, Sartre and the Existentialists of the 20th century
You’ll also dig into the relationship between philosophy, science and faith from the Middle Ages onwards.
Conflict and Belief in the Early Modern World
Why are people willing to die for their religion? Why do they travel the world converting or killing others for the sake of belief?
From Goa to Geneva, Paris to Prague, cities and their people were transformed by faith, conversion and religious violence between 1500 and 1648. In this module, you’ll use architecture and space, text and image, as you investigate efforts to construct a universal Christian church in Britain, Europe, Asia and the Americas. And you’ll explore why rulers change the religion of their country.
Crime and Punishment through the Ages
What causes people to commit crimes? And how have we punished criminals in the past? In this module, you’ll gain a fascinating insight into crime in the British Isles, as you examine:
- gendered criminality
- property crime
- the history of violence
- attempts to regulate morality.
You’ll explore:
- the birth of the prison
- social crimes and social justice
- moral and anti-social crimes
- theories of punishment.
You’ll also look at the substantial changes in law enforcement that occurred in early modern Britain, giving you the key critical knowledge to study crime history.
Genders, Sexualities and Bodies
What can sex and gender teach us about history? In this module, you’ll explore the relationship between the body and sexuality, and medicine and culture. We’ll observe how our perspectives on bodies, gender, and sexuality change according to social and historical contexts. And you’ll develop excellent critical skills, as you analyse primary sources, and dive into debates on the body and sexuality. You’ll investigate
- contraception practices
- treatment of STIs
- regulation of sexual behaviours
- transgender debates through time
Jack the Ripper and the Victorian Underworld
How did Jack the Ripper - the mass murderer of vulnerable women - shape Victorian culture? And how did Victorian Britain create the Jack the Ripper phenomenon? In this module, you’ll dive into the criminal underworld of the nineteenth century. You’ll investigate a time where public ideas on crime clashed with those of the authorities. You’ll explore:
- attitudes towards the morality and immorality
- the origins of the concept of the criminal class
- the introduction of policing
- the development of punishment.
And you’ll ask who the real Jack the Ripper was, exploring suspects and theories.
The Early Modern State
What are taxes for? How are armies financed? When should people take arms against their governments? This module, you’ll explore the development of bureaucracy, courts and military might during early modern times in Britain, Europe and the Americas. You’ll gain useful critical skills as you analyse key political texts of the period. And you’ll get to know the theories of power and rule as you consider:
- Gender and politics
- Church and state
- Governing empires
- The meaning and impact of civil wars
The Making of the American Giant, 1861-1945
How did the United States become the global superpower it is today? In this module, you’ll trace the transformation of America from a British colony at war with itself, to the most wealthy and powerful nation on the planet. You’ll examine the political history behind the rise of the United States, and America’s growing actions and ambitions on the world stage, from the American Civil War through to World War Two.
Putting History to Work
In this module, you’ll have the chance to do some work experience closely linked to your History course. You’ll have help to find a placement that will support your goals. Past placements have included:
- The Ashmolean Museum
- The Oxford Preservation Trust
- The Royal Air Force Museum.
The time spent in the placement will be about ten working days. After your placement, you’ll reflect on what you’ve learned. You’ll produce a review of achievements and deliver a poster presentation. You’ll also gain practical experience - from crafting a CV to the specific responsibilities involved in your working role - that will help kickstart your career after Oxford Brookes.
Investigation and Discovery 1
This module gives you the chance to research a topic that fascinates you. With support from a supervisor, you’ll choose, plan and carry out your independent research, gaining in-depth knowledge of your subject. You’ll also build great project management and research skills, which will help you in your future career.
Investigation and Discovery 2
This module gives you the chance to research a topic that fascinates you. With support from a supervisor, you’ll choose, plan and carry out your independent research, gaining in-depth knowledge of your subject. You’ll also build great project management and research skills, which will help you in your future career.
International Year Abroad
Optional modules
International Year Abroad
This is your opportunity to work or study in another country, so you can experience a different culture from the UK. You’ll be able to apply and test your knowledge and skills in new contexts that will significantly develop your employability profile.
Choosing this module will allow you to exhibit the development of self-management and working or studying in unfamiliar contexts, alongside practising cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills.
You will receive support and guidance to help you find a place in an available partner university, or to find a work placement for your international year abroad. This international year abroad module lasts for one academic year and is taken after the conclusion of your second year of study, once you’ve completed all your level 5 studies. Your international year abroad is not credit-bearing.
The opportunity can be approached in 2 different ways. Please see your options below:
Study in a non UK University Option
You can attend a non-UK higher education institution for a full academic year. You’ll be able to choose modules in your own subject or in a subject you consider would benefit your overall course of study. You may choose to deepen your knowledge of your degree subject or enhance it by developing complementary skills.
By studying in an international university you’ll progress your interpersonal skills through cross-cultural communication with fellow students and tutors, building lasting relationships. Also you’ll further develop your study skills as you focus on your selected areas of interest to you - while developing and progressing an international study experience that will add significance to your CV.
Work-based Learning Option
Undertake a work placement or work-related project based on your interests and existing skills. You will create an initial learning contract that shows clearly how your proposed placement or project will link with your academic and/or professional aims.
This pathway helps you to have full control over what your work-related learning looks like. You will advance your skills in a practical setting, gain first-hand experience in a work environment, and begin to create your professional network. Also, taking initiative of your learning in such a way will mean that you will stand out when you apply for jobs after graduation.
Final Year
Compulsory modules
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History Dissertation/ Project
This module gives you the chance to do original research on a topic that fascinates you. As a History student in your final year, you’ll carry out a piece of independent research, allowing you to use the skills and expertise you’ve developed through your History degree. You’ll receive individual support from our expert tutors, in areas related to their research expertise. Whether you’re exploring wife beating and the press in Victorian England, or cycling, fashion and women’s bodies in the nineteenth century, you’ll develop key insights into primary source materials, and history itself.
Optional modules
Investigation and Discovery Module 3
This module gives you the chance to research an advanced historical topic that fascinates you and is not covered by the History course. You'll have support from a supervisor. You'll also further develop your independent working skills to an advanced level. You’ll choose, plan and carry out your independent research. Gaining a deep knowledge of your subject while improving your history research skills.
Political History: the Soviet Revolution, 1905-1941
Why was Russia ripe for revolution in 1917? And how did a small group of revolutionaries manage to overthrow the Tsar and his regime?
The Russian Revolution was one of the biggest upheavals of the 20th century. But the story of the revolution is much more than the story of Lenin and the Bolsheviks. In this module you’ll learn about the causes of Russia’s revolution.
You’ll explore:
- the impact of the First World War on the Russian monarchy
- the ‘Red Terror’ and the civil war that consumed Russia after 1917
- what happened to national and ethnic minorities in the Soviet Union
- how the revolution changed popular culture and family life
- the rise of Stalin in the 1930s.
You'll also learn about power struggles, and the paranoia and brutal purges of Stalin’s early years as the Soviet leader.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Political History: Britain and the Sea
What does it mean to be an 'island nation'? And how does the sea affect areas like travel, immigration, economy and socialising? In this module, you'll examine Britain as an island nation. And you'll consider how this impacts Britons' lives - from gender and sexual identity, to trade and consumerism. You'll question topics like:
- piracy and smuggling
- the Royal Navy
- trade and the British Empire
- the seaside holiday.
This module is subject to availability in any given year.
Political History: The Unravelling of Russia
What led to the downfall of the Russian monarchy in 1917? How did reforms by the Tsar bring about decades of turmoil and change? This module charts the path to the Russian Revolution. You'll explore exciting themes like:
- the troubled emancipation of the Russian serfs
- the industrialisation and modernisation of the Russian economy
- the revolutionary underground and the birth of modern terrorism
- the flourishing of Russian culture and cultural politics
- the rise of Russian nationalism and imperialism.
This module is subject to availability in any given year.
Political History: Tudors: Reformation and Revolt
How did the Tudors bring about dramatic and enduring societal change? And how did people react to Tudor reforms during this turbulent period?
In this module you'll explore the religious and political upheavals of the Tudor era. You'll investigate the origins of the Church of England. You'll dig into the dissolution of the monasteries. You'll examine popular protest and rebellion against the Tudors. And you'll discover how the reign of Elizabeth I brought an end to decades of religious tumult.
You'll explore:
- the rise of Protestant ideas
- religious reform in parliament
- rebellion and resistance to change
- persecution and execution of heretics
- worship and changing religious beliefs
- the Elizabethan settlement.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Social, Cultural and Medical History: Immigrants and Minorities in Early Modern England, c. 1453–1753
Who was marginalised in early modern England? How did factors like ethnicity, sexual identity and nationality affect social standing? And how did the religious and political upheavals of the time impact minority groups?
In this module you'll explore:
- the restriction and persecution of immigrants and minorities
- early modern prostitution, sexual minorities and 'deviant' behaviour
- the re-establishment of the Jewish population, and the rising black population
- the understanding of ethnicity, nationality and sexual identity in the early modern period.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Social, Cultural and Medical History: Life in Renaissance Italy
What was life like for ordinary people in Renaissance Florence, Venice and Rome? Millions of tourists flock to these cities every year. But in this module, you'll explore beyond the piazzas and palaces. You'll discover what life in 15th and 16th century Italy was really like. You'll examine:
- how age, gender and ethnicity affected urban life
- the impact of warfare, disease, natural disasters and climate change
- the stories of people on the margins - like sex workers and the homeless.
You'll emerge understanding the rich and complex history of this fascinating period.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Social, Cultural and Medical History: Religion and Magic in Everyday Life
How does belief in magic affect our everyday lives? And how can religious beliefs shape our ideas and opinions? In this module, you'll explore beliefs - beyond the boundaries of religious institutions. You'll delve into the rituals, superstitions - and even cults - that have shaped our world view from the Middle Ages to the 19th Century. You'll examine:
- the cult of saints and relics
- angels and demons
- ghosts and fairies
- vampires
- folk magic and divination
- witchcraft and witch hunts.
This module is subject to availability in any given year.
Social, Cultural and Medical History: The History of Food, Politics and Society
Is it true that you are what you eat? And how does your experience of food shape who you are?
This module puts history on a plate. You'll reflect on diet, food habits and material culture - and what this tells us about society. You'll explore how food has been used as a political tool, and as a political control. And you'll examine how food relates to our identities and how we socialise. You'll never look at what you eat the same way again!
You'll consider topics like:
- Food and famine
- Migration and globalisation
- Food as culture
- Material culture
- Gender and the body.
This module is subject to availability in any given year.
Social, Cultural and Medical History: War and Medicine: from the Napoleonic Wars to Afghanistan
How does medicine impact war? And can medical treatment influence whether wars are won or lost? This module explores the close relationship between war and medicine. You'll look at the growth of:
- surgery
- hospitals
- battlefield and naval medicine,
- neuro-psychiatry
- nursing
- civilian medicine
- ethics and medical ethics.
You'll examine how medicine has changed how wars were fought. And you'll explore lessons we've learned (and forgotten) related to war and medicine.
This module is subject to availability in any given year.
The History of Crime: Forensic Medicine in Western Society
How have doctors contributed to crime history? And what's the relationship between medicine, society and the law? In this module, you'll examine the history of forensic medicine. You'll explore how medical knowledge can influence attitudes toward crime. And you'll consider how medicine has affected criminal investigations. You'll look at examples from the Medieval period through to the 20th century. And you'll delve into:
- death investigations
- 'expertise' and the role of witnesses
- forensic science
- mental health and crime
- crimes of sex and sexuality.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
The History of Crime: Witchcraft, Magic and Belief in Early Modern Europe
How did the population of early modern Europe come to believe that there were evil witches in their midst? And what's the relationship between popular belief about evil, society, and the law? In this module, you'll examine the history of witchcraft in early modern Europe until its relative demise in the middle of the 18th century. You'll explore who was accused of witchcraft and why, as well as what happened to them. You'll consider how contemporaries thought about and dealt with witches in England, Scotland, Europe and North America. You'll delve into:
- Witchcraft beliefs
- Trials of witches and individual witch hunts
- The theories offered by historians as to why this happened
- The rise and fall of witchcraft in the early modern world
- The enduring place of the witch in popular culture
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
The History of Crime: In Cold Blood: Violence in the Modern Era
Why does violence intrigue us? And why are we captivated by stories of crime and criminals? In the twentieth century, crime came under the spotlight in Britain and America. In this module, you'll examine murder and mayhem in modern British and American life. You'll explore:
- The rise of serial murder and its perpetrators
- The cult of the gangster and those who became Public Enemy #1
- The ways in which crime came to be fought in the modern era
- The debate over the death penalty.
And you'll come to understand how violence influences our beliefs on crime and criminals today.
This module is subject to availability in any given year.
History of America: The Vietnam War
What was behind the Vietnam war? What transformed America from a disinterested observer to an active combatant, with over 500,000 soldiers in deadly conflict? In this module you’ll examine America’s role in Vietnam. You’ll consider the decisions of multiple presidents - and how these steadily escalated America’s involvement in Vietnam. You’ll examine the military side of the conflict - and unpick key debates on military strategy. You’ll also explore the consequences of the war, and how the conflict impacted America at home.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
History of America: American Grand Strategy in the Era of Civil War and Reconstruction
Why is the American Civil War so controversial? Both when it was fought in the 1860s, and now, over 150 years later? In this module you’ll explore the origins of the conflict. You’ll uncover the aims of both the Union and the Confederacy. You’ll investigate the strategies and tactics they employed. And you’ll consider the international impacts of the conflict.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
The History of Ideas: Evil in European Thought and Culture 1750-1950
What meaning does the concept of “evil” have in an age when religion is in decline and science is on the rise? In this module you will study case studies labelled by contemporaries as “evil” - from natural disasters to political repression to mass murder - and explore how intellectuals from a variety of backgrounds struggled to understand and come to terms these events and phenomena in the modern world of reason, rationality and science.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
The History of Ideas: On Race and Racism
What is race? The concept of race, of course, has a history, and in this module you’ll trace the development of the concept across three centuries, right up to the present day. The module will take a global perspective, introducing you to alternative understandings of race and the development of racism. We will examine the treatment and influence of race in
- science
- the study of history
- the rise of imperialism
- in former colonial territories.
This module option is subject to availability in any given academic year.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Careers
Studying History at Oxford Brookes will help make you a versatile employee in any organisation. With our work placement modules, you’ll also have practical experience of organisations like heritage sites or museums that will stand out on your CV.
Your specialist knowledge will be valuable in many preservation organisations. And, by studying in Oxford, you’ll already be familiar with some of the country’s best museums and historical sites. This has benefited our graduates. For example, past students are now working in places like Blenheim Palace, the National Army Museum, and the Battle of Britain Bunker.
Completing your degree with us prepares you for a career beyond heritage and history. With the great communication skills you’ll develop, you might also consider jobs in areas like advertising or journalism. One of our graduates is a photojournalist for National Geographic. Others are working in advertising, banking, and retail.
You’ll be a valuable addition to organisations in areas like:
- politics
- the Civil Service
- charity
- education
- media
- law.
Student profiles
Ashley Larkin
"The best thing about my course is definitely the support provided. If you have any questions at all, a lecturer is always there to help with a smile – they are always happy to help no matter the question you have, whether it be course related or not"
Read more about Ashley
Hannah Richards
"I love how History at Oxford Brookes takes you out of the lecture theatre. I’ve touched artefacts from 1642. It’s amazing!"
Read more about Hannah
Isobel Wilkinson Rippin
"At Oxford Brookes, you’ll always be taught by an expert. The history department is full of lecturers willing to help"
Read more about Isobel
Michael Cini
"I think the crime history modules at Oxford Brookes are fantastic, because they humanise the victims. They aren’t just stories to be told on Netflix - they’re very real"
Read more about Michael
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Joint honours options
You can also study this course as part of a joint honours degree. This course can be joined with:
- Criminology
- English Literature
- History of Art
- Geography
- International Relations
- Politics
- Anthropology
Related courses
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Entry requirements
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. Thecombination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way ofachieving the UCAS Tariff pointsfor this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 104 - 120
A Level: BCC - BBB
IB Points: 29
BTEC: DMM - DDM
Contextual offer
What is a contextual offer?
UCAS Tariff Points: 88 - 96
A Level: CCD - CCC
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Further offer details
For joint honours, normally the offer will lie between the offers quoted for each subject.
Applications are also welcomed for consideration from applicants with European qualifications, international qualifications or recognised foundation courses. For advice on eligibility please contact Admissions: admissions@brookes.ac.uk
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University'sgeneral entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the University'sstandard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an internationalfoundationcourse. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteedpathwayto this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.
If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take ourpre-sessional Englishcourse. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements.Find out more about English language requirements.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.
Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to theTerms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
International qualifications and equivalences
How to apply
Application process
Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£15,200
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£15,950
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 534400
financefees@brookes.ac.uk
Tuition fees
2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£15,200
2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£15,950
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 534400
financefees@brookes.ac.uk
Please note, tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government.Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policypage
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Optional costs
Additional costs | Amount (£) |
---|---|
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. | From £30 |
You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) | £94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) | £122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. | Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. | From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
Oxford Brookes Bursary for home studentsUndergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK studentsUndergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK studentsUndergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
All financial support and scholarships
View all funding opportunities for this course
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.
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