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Modern and Contemporary History

  • BA (Hons)
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  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
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Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Run in partnership with Politics and International Relations, this course will emphasise the history of the recent past and integrate it with contemporary politics and international relations. Ideal if your main interests lie in the 20th and 21st century – you will be able to concentrate on a focused chronological period, with modules covering a broad geographical range.

You will learn about the various factors, particularly political factors, that shape historical events and our understanding of them. An appreciation of international relations is vital for analysing the fluctuating relationships that countries share with one another, either directly or through international bodies such as the UN. The topical nature of this course will not only help you understand the past but also prepare you to construct informed arguments about events that are unfolding today.

Your first year develops your core knowledge and skills, as well as allowing you to explore aspects of the modern world that particularly interest you. Later on you will have even more freedom to shape your degree around your own interests, choosing modules examining the history and politics of different parts of the world, including Britain, Ireland and Europe; North America and South America; East Asia and South-east Asia; and parts of Africa and the Middle East.

NB. This course was previously named Contemporary History BA

Modules

For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course information page on our website

Assessment method

For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course information page on our website

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 to 4 years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

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:
V140
Institution code:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

University of Leicester 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:
V140
Institution code:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Contact the Admissions Team at study@le.ac.uk with details of the course you are studying including modules taken, previous qualifications obtained with grades (at GCSE and A level or equivalent), the reason for your transfer request.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

A level - ABB - BBB

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

Please contact the Admissions Team for further information and eligibility: study@le.ac.uk

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits

Pass Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information and eligibility: study@le.ac.uk

Scottish Higher - ABBBB

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

Considered alongside other qualifications

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

Considered alongside other qualifications

Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points

Including 6 in one Higher Level subject

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Considered alongside other qualifications

Extended Project

Considered alongside other qualifications

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H3

Qualification accepted. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information and eligibility: study@le.ac.uk

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme of study and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous examination results.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

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.

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria.

Learn more on the University of Leicester 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.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

This information will be updated as soon as the tuition fees for the academic year 2026/7 have been confirmed.

For further information about fees and funding please see the following page of the University website: https://le.ac.uk/student-life/undergraduates/fees-funding

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