BA (Hons) History · NorthamptonBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) History Bachelor's degree at Northampton

BA (Hons) History at Northampton. You'll undertake placements at local museums and heritage organisations, combining classroom learning with direct engagement alongside professionals in the sector.

BA (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
Waterside Campus, University of Northampton
Location

About this course

Our BA History degree combines academic study and field trips, with opportunities for placements at local museums and other relevant employers. Apply... From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) History is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for History, see the sections below.

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 8 modules
  • Doing HistoryCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the study of academic History at undergraduate level. It introduces them to some of the many types of History that are practised today. It also shows how evidential and referencing standards are maintained within the discipline.

  • Health and Healers: Histories of Disease and DisabilityOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore and contextualise the history of the body, health and healing and its contemporary parallels and relevance. The module will investigate how ideas about body and healing interacted with, and were embedded within, historical understandings of gender, society and culture.

  • The Medieval World, 1200 - 1500Optional20 credits
    Module details

    This module focuses on the high and late Middle Ages in global context. Taking a thematic approach, students study politics, society, culture and religion to gain an understanding of the events and cultural mindset of the period. Using historiography, primary documents and material culture students examine medieval institutions and systems, but also learn about women and men at all social levels, including marginalised groups such as queer people and immigrants who are excluded from some histori

  • United States: War & Society, 1610-2020Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore the history of the United States through the interaction of war and society. The student will thus gain an understanding of the interplay between conflict, ideologies, and societal development prior to, during, and after the foundation of the Republic. This will be executed in a series of segments in chronological sequence.

  • The Early Modern World, 1500-1800Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the key cultural, religious, economic and political developments which occurred in the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth-centuries. Students will engage with ongoing historiographical debates about the early modern period and will investigate various forms of surviving textual and visual evidence.

  • The Holocaust and the Politics of RaceOptional20 credits
    Module details

    This module will introduce students to the main developments of the Holocaust, and will allow them to contextualise genocide in a wider historical awareness of race and politics in Europe. It will explore the ways the Holocaust unfolded in different parts of the continent, and will critically examine how forms of genocide impacted on a range of target communities. It develops a critical understanding of important historiographical debates, and source analysis skills.

  • Politics and Society in Britain since 1945Optional20 credits
    Module details

    This module will introduce students to how British politics and society developed after the end of the Second World War, and the historical debates surrounding these developments. It will explore how and why ideas and experiences of class, gender, sexuality and race altered in relation to the broader political and social changes in Britain during this period. Students will develop the ability to engage critically with important historiographical debates, and to analyse both diverse kinds of prim

  • Catastrophe: Europe, 1890-1914Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore, through conventional and experiential learning, the causes of the First World War. This process will also facilitate a deeper understanding of how historical causation can be analysed and how academic historiographies evolve.

Year 2 9 modules
  • Dissertation Research SkillsCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to facilitate and promote students' on-going development of their professional research skills through undertaking personal development plans and skills reflections.

  • Communicating HistoryCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    This module provides students with opportunities to develop research and analysis skills by undertaking a problem-solving project for a specific partner. Using traditional and digital media, students will be required to communicate their findings to non-historians, demonstrating transferable skills of use in various graduate-level careers and postgraduate study.

  • Crime, Policing and Punishment in England, 1700-1900Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is explore the fundamental changes that occurred in attitudes to, and policies towards crime, policing and punishment in Britain during a period of fundamental economic and social change.

  • First World WarOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore the First World War through the conceptual framework of Total War. It examines the military operations as well as the diplomatic, political, social and economic dimensions of the conflict. Using a mixture of chronological and thematic studies, the module provides the student with an understanding of this seminal war.

  • Family and Life-Cycle in Early Modern EnglandOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore how intimate relationships forged by ties of blood and marriage shaped the lives of women and men, rich and poor, from infancy to old age in England between the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Industrial Revolution.

  • Medieval Chivalry and its AfterlivesOptional20 credits
    Module details

    Chivalry: more than just knights in shining armour jousting for the love of fair ladies. Chivalry was in fact the overarching cultural ethos of the medieval world. From the twelfth to fifteenth centuries, chivalric values profoundly shaped medieval political, literary and artistic cultures, while also influencing how people framed wider social values.

  • Life on the Margins? Poverty and the Poor in Britain, 1660-1834Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore the lives, and perceptions, of poorer people during a critical period of substantial social and cultural change. Using a digital microhistory approach, this module investigates why, and how, people experienced poverty. Student will learn how to approach the subjects of poverty and socio-economic deprivation, marginalization and health inequalities.

  • Shadows of Empire: Movements and MigrationsOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to help students understand the nature of global and international history and to build an awareness of the contours and contexts of imperialism and colonialism both in history and in the way they shape contemporary society and culture.

  • Terror and Terrorism from 1789Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to survey examples of terror used for political purposes. It examines both state terror from 1789, and terrorist movements and organisations in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It encourages students to develop an understanding of how extreme emotions have been used to influence politics.

Year 3 6 modules
  • Using HistoryCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to develop the employability of our History graduates. It uses the student's dissertation process – the compulsory culmination of their UG intellectual and personal developmental journey – as a vehicle for enhancing their communication skills towards non-academic audiences. It also provides an opportunity to engage in reflection upon prior experiential learning.

  • Citizenship and Gender in Britain 1760-1918Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore what it meant to be a citizen in a context where this question was commonly negotiated in terms of what it meant to be a man or a woman. How did Georgians, Victorians and Edwardians conceptualise the duties and attributes of the citizen, and who did they seek to exclude?

  • Witchcraft and Heresy in Early Modern EuropeOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to examine why from the late Middle Ages the crime of demonic witchcraft became a widely held belief that led to the death of more than 50,000 individuals. During this period, witches were believed to be in league with the Devil to undermine the Christian world. Students will explore why this belief came about, how it was rationalised and ultimately how witches were prosecuted. The module will explore these themes from the perspective of both learned and common peop

  • Secret State: British Intelligence, 1558-1945Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore intelligence history, specifically the contribution of the intelligence services to Britain's security from the early modern period through to the mid-Twentieth Century. It examines foreign intelligence, military intelligence, and security intelligence in both peace and war. Using mostly chronological case studies, the module provides the student with an understanding of how and why intelligence has affected British history.

  • The English Country House c. 1660-1850Optional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to develop a high level of understanding of the English Country House during the long eighteenth century through historiography and primary sources.

  • Gender and Work in Early Modern EnglandOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to examine the working lives of women and men in England between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This course combines academic historical study with practical engagement through field trips and placements at local museums and heritage organisations. You'll usually start with foundations in historical method and broad surveys, learning how historians work with sources, then moving through medieval, early modern and modern world history. In years two and three, you'll progress to focused study of particular periods and themes through primary documents, explore how historical interpretations evolve, and gain hands-on experience in public history work. You can specialise in areas such as modern history, medieval studies, global and imperial history, social and cultural history, public history and heritage, or archival research. Your studies culminate in an original research dissertation based on primary evidence.

Who it's for

You're drawn to understanding how societies, events and ideas have shaped the world, and you want to study this seriously without abandoning other commitments. Part-time study suits you if you're balancing work, caring responsibilities or other pursuits. You're comfortable reading widely, handling ambiguity in sources, and forming arguments from incomplete evidence. You'll thrive if you enjoy detective work, piecing together narratives from fragments, and if you're willing to challenge received versions of the past. You should be prepared for sustained written work and independent research.

Careers & job market

National data shows 85% of History graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing their degree. Just over half of working graduates go into highly skilled roles or pursue further study. Graduate earnings across History nationally range from £23,500 to £31,000 at the 15-month mark, and from £25,500 to £36,000 after five years. These figures reflect the diverse paths graduates take: museum curation, teaching, public history, research, civil service, law and heritage management feature prominently. The part-time format may suit those already established in a career or seeking to transition into heritage-related work.

University & format

This BA (Hons) History degree is studied part-time at The University of Northampton, based at Waterside Campus. The course is taught in English. The University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and its degrees are nationally recognised. Teaching at the institution received a Silver rating in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Published entryBBC at A Level or, DMM at BTEC typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

PlacementPublished placement option

Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysOpen Days

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

2026 entryLive availability check

Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Home£9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Northampton →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
total borrowing, course length not published

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Northampton funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs History nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£23,500 – £31,000
After 3 years LEO
£20,400 – £28,800
After 5 years LEO
£25,500 – £36,000
national rangeaxis £19,000 – £37,500

National figures for History graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

Job market & outlook

How History graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across History courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where History graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Museums & archives
  • Heritage bodies
  • Schools
  • Civil service & media

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Northampton

All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%

Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK

Students76,495
Aged 25+26.6%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton

2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is History right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by Northampton. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
See the career and earnings data for History below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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