History is an inspirational, dynamic, relevant subject. The breadth of topics offered in our degree span the Neolithic period right up to the more recent past. Covering aspects of the history of Wales, Britain, Europe and the wider world, you will build knowledge in political, social and cultural themes. Valued by employers, the practical and transferable skills gained will prepare you for many possible careers, e.g. civil service, heritage sector, the media, or law.

This course aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of human history. It encourages you to take an analytical approach to the past, so that you can understand and contribute to historical controversies, and can understand ways in which the past is at least partly constructed in the present. It therefore hopes to train you intellectually so you can explain the relevance of the past in the present, understand the problems of interpreting written and other evidence, and gain skills of research, analysis, problem-solving, construction of argument and communication.

History is one of the most inspiring, dynamic and relevant subjects that can be studied at degree level, and so it is no surprise that 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.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• A flexible degree structure that encourages you to explore and develop your interests.
• 100% Student satisfaction, History BA (NSS 2020).
• A local area steeped in history (including UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and provides a resource for fieldwork and a superb location for study.
• We have experts in all fields of history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, working principally on Britain, Europe and the USA.

History, Archaeology and Heritage are complementary subjects – which together provide a richer understanding of past peoples and societies. At Bangor we offer a range of courses that allow you to study one or more of these.

During your degree you will learn through a variety of small-group seminar classes, fieldtrips, practical workshops, one-to-one tuition, and lectures of between 10 and 50 students. With key historic and World heritage sites on the doorstep, our location gives access to a rich resource of local heritage sites, monuments, and museums. From prehistorical burial mounds to stately homes and castles, this tremendous resource is an integral part of the course and used in our teaching through field trips, practical workshops, and excavations.

In the first year of your History degree you will choose from a selection of modules that are intended to provide a flavour of the degree as a whole. In the second and third year you will have a wide choice of more specialist and thematic modules with close consideration of original sources. This allows you to tailor your degree to your own interests. You will also research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choice in Year 3.

Alongside classroom teaching and fieldtrips, you will also benefit from a range of other academic and social activities in the School. These include student conferences and School journal, quizzes and social occasions, student-led trips and talks. Our students are also able to benefit from University schemes such as ‘Languages for All’ and ‘Welsh for Adults’ (free languages classes in French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Welsh) and the Study Skill Centre.

Outside this time, you will prepare for seminars, carry out research, and complete assignments. Assessment is a mixture of essays, projects, presentations, and examinations. The dissertation is an important part of the final assessment. Throughout the course you will be supported by our expert and enthusiastic teaching staff.

History is a very versatile degree. This course provides specialist knowledge and a range of analytical and presentational skills which will enable you to tackle a variety of career options centring on administrative and leadership needs, for example, in company personnel departments, the civil service and local government as well as in a range of directly transferable vocations. Our History graduates enter a wide range of employment: especially fields which require skills of communication, analysing large quantities of information, and understanding human nature. Graduates have in recent years gained careers in museum work, law, teaching and the cultural industries. Many graduates also progress to higher education postgraduate schemes.

History graduates are desirable employees due to the variety of skills they develop during 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, journalism, law, accountancy and management.

Year 2 and 3 students are provided with the opportunity to complete work-placement modules, which can be carried out in the university or through external organizations. These are assessed as part of the final degree. The programme enhances employability prospects and offers an insight into the type of employment opportunities a degree in history offers. Students have undertaken placements in a wide range of workplaces, including archives and heritage agencies.