COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA History and Law program at Essex combines the study of historical events and legal principles to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how the past shapes contemporary law. In the first year, students are introduced to foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Rebellious Pasts: Challenging and Creating Histories, Criminal Law, and Public Law, alongside optional history modules that allow exploration of specific interests. Year one also includes skills development through the Beyond the BA program to prepare students for future academic and professional success. In the second year, students build on this foundation with modules in Contract Law and a Research Workshop in History, while optional modules enable further specialization in both fields. Year two continues to emphasize employability and career readiness through the Beyond the BA program. The third year centers on independent research, with a compulsory Research Project that integrates historical and legal inquiry, and a selection of final-year optional modules in law and history to deepen expertise in chosen areas. Across all three years, students develop critical, analytical, and reflective skills, learning to assess evidence, construct arguments, and understand the social, political, and legal implications of historical events. The course equips graduates for careers in law, public policy, research, and other professional pathways where historical knowledge and legal understanding intersect.