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Contemporary History

Course details
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 28 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Brighton

Course summary

Our Contemporary History degree explores modern history, focusing on the transformative events and struggles from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. Unlike traditional history courses, we incorporate insights from politics and cultural studies to explore not just what happened, but how history is shaped, produced, and used in society.

You’ll examine global issues like the rise of dominant powers, the evolution of racism, and the marginalisation of certain groups. Through small seminar groups, you’ll hone your skills in debate, critical thinking, and persuasive argumentation, preparing you to challenge historical narratives and understand their impact on today's world.

TOP REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS COURSE

  • Small, participatory seminar groups with every seminar supported by a preceding lecture

  • Your academic work will be supported by workshops that develop your academic and independent research skills

  • Become a skilled oral and written communicator, confident in presenting work on your own and as a member of a group

  • Expert teaching team including academics who develop leading research as part of the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics

  • Opportunity to undertake a placement, giving you valuable work experience and contacts

  • An interdisciplinary approach drawing on, and combining, various disciplines to understand topics and ideas, you will develop a deep and multilayered approach to contemporary issues

  • An engaging curriculum designed to be both challenging and stimulating, with a mix of lectures, seminars, debates, and collaborative projects

  • Real-world application - this course encourages you to apply theoretical approaches to real-world issues, preparing you to address contemporary global challenges

  • Join a vibrant community within the programme and the School of Humanities and Social Science, all based in one building

  • Opportunities take part in subject-related conferences and events - we have a student-run Humanities Society which organises a busy annual calendar of expert speakers, debates and events.

Modules

Course Modules

Year 1
Historical Inquiry
Philosophical Inquiry
Studying Cultures
Democracy
Globalisation, Conflict and the Environment
The Politics of Representation

Year 2
Critical Traditions in Western Thought 1 and 2

Specialist option pathways
Radical Histories
Race and Resistance
Politics-History-Ideology

Option pathways from wider humanities subject area
Philosophy and Literature
Self and Society
Globalisation, History and Identity
Global Politics
Morality, Politics and the Good Life
Contemporary Global Challenges

Optional Placement Year

Final year
Dissertation

Specialist option pathways
Radical Histories: A History of Capitalism, its Critics and its Crises
Race and Resistance: The Politics of Discrimination and Resistance
Politics-History-Ideology: From Pax Americana to the Ends of History

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
B72
Campus name:
Brighton

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BCC-ABB

UCAS Tariff
104-128

Access to HE Diploma
Pass: 45

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits, to include at least 45 credits at Level 3. Access courses in Humanities, History or Politics are preferred.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 26

Must include three subjects at Higher Level.

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

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3H3H3H4H4

Or equivalent combination of grades.,

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)66.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5. in each element, or equivalent English Language qualification.

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/international/applying-here/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements/index.aspx

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.

At Brighton we recognise that not everyone's background provides the same advantages, and we know that grades are not the only indicator of potential.

If you meet our contextual admissions criteria we will make you an offer which is at least 16 UCAS points lower than our standard offer. You may also be eligible for additional financial and practical support from us through the Brighton Boost cost of living support package.

Learn more on the University of Brighton website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland£10050
InternationalTBC

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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