BA (Hons)
History (with Integrated Foundation Year)
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Why study BA History (with Integrated Foundation Year) at Goldsmiths
This programme equips you with the core skills and knowledge required for success in the first year of your Undergraduate Degree and beyond.
- If you do not have the required qualifications for degree-level study, our BA in History (with Integrated Foundation Year) offers an alternative entry route
- The Foundation Year is closely aligned with our undergraduate history programmes, teaching you a foundational knowledge of the subject and helping you develop the necessary academic skills. You choose the undergraduate degree you wish to study at the point of application, but if your interests change as you progress through the foundation year you can apply to switch to a different degree programme
- You will develop an understanding of the post-colonial world through a historical and historiographical survey of the British Empire from the 17th to the late 20th century
- Learn about social, cultural and political themes, including industrialisation, urbanisation, politicisation, radicalism, democracy, liberalism, constitutionalism and national identity in relation to the Battle for the Ballot
- You will acquire skills in historical methodology, including innovative practices such as oral history, public history, and applied history
- Learn how to effectively communicate information, arguments, and analysis in written form. You will successfully deploy techniques such as source evaluation, critical judgment and referencing
- Develop your ability to think critically about knowledge production and communication; look beyond the words on the page, delve into the emotional meaning of images and spoken word, and dig into the truth behind the data
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact John Price or Erica Wald.
UCAS
Entry requirements
A-level: EE
BTEC: PP
Length
1 year (Foundation) followed by 3 years (Undergraduate Degree)
Fees
Home - full-time: £TBC
International - full-time: £TBC
Departments
History
Centre for Academic Language and Literacies
What you'll study
Developing your academic skills
Alongside direct preparation for an undergraduate degree in History, you will take two modules with our Centre for Academic Language and Literacies (CALL). These modules will help you develop the broader academic and research skills required for undergraduate study.
You will also learn how key social and political movements of the period have influenced the world we live in today through a cross-disciplinary module: Culture and Society in Post-war Britain. This module will cover topics such as 'Windrush and Migration', 'Irish Colonisation', 'Second-wave Feminism', 'Protest and Punk' and 'South-Asian Britain'.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Reading and Writing Your World | 30 credits |
| Building Your Research World | 30 credits |
| Culture and Society in Postwar Britain | 30 credits |
| The Battle for the Ballot | 15 credits |
| Empires, Nations and Lines on the Map: Postcolonial Perspectives on Global History | 15 credits |
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Teaching style
The Foundation Year provides you with core disciplinary and academic skills, as well as acting as a supportive bridge to induct you into university life. During your studies, you will be housed and supported within the Department of History to ensure you are integrated into the department's ways of working before progressing onto your undergraduate degree.
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods that broaden your academic skillset. These include coursework assignments such as essays, critical commentaries, presentations and personal reflections as well as seen examinations.
Entry requirements
We accept the following qualifications:
A-level: EE
BTEC: PP
You are also required to have achieved a Level 2 qualification in GCSE English at Grade 4 or above.
For candidates who have not studied any Level 3 qualifications in the last two years, there are no formal qualifications required for admission, but you will need to demonstrate that you can benefit from the programme by undertaking an additional admissions process. This may involve an interview or the submission of a piece of writing to assess suitability to study.
If you can't find your qualification here, then please visit our entry requirements page for a list of alternative qualifications.
International Qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 to study this programme.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the UG fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £TBC
- International - full-time: £TBC
If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your programme, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Skills and careers
Skills
Some of the skills you'll develop through your Foundation Year include:
- Effective communication in written form
- Techniques such as source evaluation, critical judgment and referencing
- Critical and analytical skills
- The ability to bring together insights from a range of subjects
Careers
You will be encouraged to reflect on and identify career goals and ambitions to ensure you are suitably prepared for your transition to the full undergraduate degree programme.
Our undergraduate History programmes set you up for a career in a vast range of fields, from law and business to teaching or further study. If you are not sure what your future holds, studying history can help you find your path.
