At Essex we're about social conscience, wondering why, and understanding the bigger picture. We teach you to find your own critical voice and view history through the eyes of different people, telling hidden histories that might otherwise be forgotten.

This degree allows you to explore challenging questions about the impact of political, social and cultural change on individuals, social groups and regions. From African-American slavery to Stalin's Russia-from households in Essex to witchcraft in Germany-from the history of disease to revolutions in China, we urge you to explore the past in order to better understand the present.

On the four-year MHist Version of this course (five years if taking a year abroad or placement year), you develop the same key skills for History as on the BA, as well as investigating more advanced topics by achieving a masters-level qualification. At undergraduate level, you'll have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of optional modules about subjects close to home and further afield, in addition to advanced masters level topics, such as public history, history and identity, and conflict and remembrance.

Assessed coursework generally consists of essays, concept studies, critical commentaries, research proposals, and a 15,000-word dissertation. Students usually attend a two-hour seminar for each module each week. Seminar groups/workshops which would usually have about 15 students.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

Placement year

When you arrive at Essex, you can decide whether you would like to combine your course with a placement year. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Employability and Careers Centre.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.