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Modern and Contemporary History with a Year Abroad

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
Awarded by:
Queen Mary, University of London
More about Queen Mary University of London

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

The past two centuries have seen huge advances in society and technology. But they have also witnessed devastating world wars, the Black Death and the rise of Soviet communism. Learning modern and contemporary history at Queen Mary, you’ll explore how such historical events have shaped the modern world we live in.

British history. The war on terror. American democracy. These are just a few of the subjects you’ll uncover, taught by our research-active academic experts. Build specialist knowledge, satisfy your curiosity and pursue your own interests, picking optional modules spanning events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Invest in your future

Based in a city steeped in history, you’ll have access to some of the richest facilities for historical research. Outstanding museums, libraries, archives and resources right on your doorstep, ready to aid your studies. You can also join our vibrant history society where we welcome talks by historians and visit sites of historical interest. And put your knowledge into action writing for Queen Mary’s history journal.

Analysis, reasoning and communication are just a few transferable skills you’ll develop – all highly valued in today’s employment market. Apply your new knowledge in a heritage or museum role. Bring change in policy making or social research. Or step into publishing. You’ll be ready to make an impact in whichever direction you choose.

Modules

Compulsory Modules
Year 1:
Europe in a Global Context since 1800
History in Practice
Unravelling Britain: British History since 1801
Global Encounters: Conquest and Culture in World History
Choose from
Building the American Nation: 1756-1900
Europe 1000-1500: The Middle Ages and their Legacy
Reformation to Revolution: Europe and the World, 1500-1800
Screening History: Representing the Past in the Contemporary Historical Film
The Foundations of Modern Thought: Introduction to Intellectual History
Controversies of Science and Technology in the Making of the Modern World

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Assessment method

Assessment typically involves a combination of examinations and coursework, or coursework only. Coursework may include essays, diaries, case-studies and oral presentations.

In your final year you’ll work on a dissertation worth 25% of your final year mark, researching a specialised area of history that particularly interests you.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time with time abroad • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 14/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
V141
Institution code:
Q50
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Queen Mary University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
V141
Institution code:
Q50
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - BBB

Excluded subjects - General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Queen Mary University of London welcomes applications from students currently studying Level 3 BTEC qualifications and will consider you for entry to the majority of our undergraduate courses. The typical entry requirements will vary according to the course you are applying for. Some of our courses require specific subject knowledge which you may not be able to cover as part of a Level 3 BTEC qualification and we may therefore require additional Level 3 qualifications to ensure that you are suitably prepared for relevant courses. A small number of our courses do not accept BTEC qualifications for entry, either as a standalone qualification, or in combination with other qualifications at Level 3. Information on our typical entry requirements and guidance for applying can be found at http://www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/btec/ If you are at all unsure about the acceptability of your BTEC qualification for entry, please contact the Admissions team for individual advice (admissions@qmul.ac.uk)

Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 15 credits

We consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 15 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. This must include at least 6 Level 3 credits in History modules at Distinction.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points

5,5,5 in HL subjects

Extended Project

We consider applications from students offering an EPQ and may make an alternative offer to include three A levels, one grade lower than our usual requirement, along with a specific grade in the EPQ. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq

GCSE/National 4/National 5

A minimum of five GCSE passes to include English at grade C or 4 or an acceptable equivalent will be required.

English language requirements

All applicants to Queen Mary must show they meet a minimum academic English language standard for admission and to be successful on the course. Please refer to the website below for details on our English Language requirements by course and acceptable alternative qualifications. You will also find important information regarding UKVI's English requirements if you are applying as an international student and will require a Student Visa to enter the UK.

Queen Mary University of London: English Language Requirements https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/undergraduate-and-postgraduate-programmes/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Our standard contextual offer: Grades BCC at A-Level.

Our enhanced contextual offer: Grades CCC at A-Level.

Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.

More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page below.

Learn more on the Queen Mary University of London website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course and 10 other history courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For Queen Mary University of London, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
BBB Most common
  1. AAA
  2. Highest grades
  3. BBC
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

98% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

55 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

81 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please visit and search for your chosen course on our A-Z course finder at http://search.qmul.ac.uk/s/search.html?collection=queenmary-coursefinder-undergraduate&query=&sort=title - here you will find further details on fees and funding.
Please also visit our A-Z course finder to view the amount of fee you would need to pay if you are an International fee paying student.

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