COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA History degree at the University of Reading develops students’ ability to analyse the past through rigorous engagement with evidence, interpretation, and research practice. In the first stage, students build core historical skills through modules such as Exploring Evidence, History Now, Making History and You: Practices and Possibilities, and Perspectives in History. These introduce key methods in working with primary sources, historiography, and historical writing, while encouraging students to connect past events with contemporary issues and debates. Students also gain experience in developing independent research skills and understanding different historical methodologies and theoretical approaches. In the second stage, students progress to more applied and public-facing work through modules such as Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future, and Preparing for your Dissertation, which develop collaborative skills and introduce research design. In the final stage, students complete a Dissertation in History, demonstrating their ability to synthesise evidence and construct sustained arguments. Additional modules such as Discovering Archives and Collections and History Education provide practical experience in archival work and teaching contexts, supporting employability in heritage and education sectors. Across the degree, students develop strong analytical, communication, and research skills while exploring how history is interpreted, represented, and used in both academic and public settings, preparing them for a wide range of careers in research, education, heritage, and cultural industries.