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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Contemporary History

University of Brighton

(3.4)
43 reviews

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Contemporary History course at University of Brighton.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

B,C,C

Most popular A-levels studied

See who's studying at University of Brighton. These students are taking Contemporary History or another course from the same subject area.

History
SubjectGrade
HistoryB
Government and PoliticsD
SociologyB
English LiteratureC
PsychologyC
Source: HESA

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: V140

Here's what University of Brighton says about its Contemporary History course.

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.

Source: University of Brighton

Course details

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Department

School of Humanities and Social Science

Location

Brighton | Brighton

Duration

3 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Social history

Start date

28 September 2026

Application deadline

14 January 2026

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,535 per year
Scotland£9,535 per year
Wales£9,535 per year
Northern Ireland£9,535 per year
Channel Islands£9,535 per year
Republic of Ireland£9,535 per year
EU£17,250 per year
International£17,250 per year

The modules you will study

Year 1 Empires: Global Power and Conflict Politics of the Past History Workshop: Places and Podcasts Material Matters History Workshop: Archives and Filmmaking Revolutions: The Ideas that made the Modern World

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.

University of Brighton student reviews

(3.4)
Based on 43 reviews from University of Brighton's students and alumni
5 star
14%
4 star
28%
3 star
42%
2 star
12%
1 star
5%
All reviews

Showing 43 reviews

2nd year student

2 years ago

They have a big presence at the uni and i regularly use their facilities, which are a more affordable option.

(4)
Student Union

2nd year student

2 years ago

Brighton has a great uni life and is full of day and night time activities for students. There is a big culture of community and many venues do regular student deals. The only downside is most of these activities cost money, so they are not that accessible to students who struggle for money.

(4)
University life

2nd year student

2 years ago

The costs of accommodation are quite high - the closest and most affordable accommodation is just within price range, but a lot of the other accommodation is very fancy and new, thus it is very expensive. Rent in student homes is also very high in the city, and I have had to use financial support to...

(3)
Finance

2nd year student

2 years ago

The tutors are always available for academic support and the student support team have been getting more involved recently to alert the students of how they can access welfare services. I have personally used the welfare services to help me afford rent.

(4)
Support

2nd year student

2 years ago

We donu2019t have the best or fanciest facilities, again the arts uni seems a bit under funded, but we do have everything that we need on site - an art shop, a cafe, a restaurant, and a library all within accessible distance.

(3)
Facilities

2nd year student

2 years ago

Our timetable and work load is fairly balanced so we are not constantly struggling to keep up. The tutors all provide a range of perspectives and very helpful feedback and are always available. The course structure doesnu2019t suit me very well - we are more focused on learning as we go instead of b...

(3)
Course

National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Brighton

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

Here you can see ratings from University of Brighton students who took the Contemporary History course - or another course in the same subject area.

History

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

60%

low

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

73%

low

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

60%

low

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

60%

low

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

87%

med

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

67%

low

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

67%

low

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

67%

low

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

80%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

100%

high

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

87%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

67%

low

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

53%

low

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

53%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

87%

low

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

87%

low

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

60%

low

How well organised is your course?

80%

low

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

67%

low

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

100%

high

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

67%

low

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

53%

low

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

67%

low

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

53%

low

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

14%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

73%

low

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

53%

low

Student information

See who's studying at University of Brighton. These students are taking Contemporary History or another course from the same subject area.

History
Mode of study
Full-time98%Part-time2%
Gender ratio
Female55%Male34%Other10%
Where students come from
International8%UK92%
Student performance
2:1 or above91%
Number of students85
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

Facts and figures about University of Brighton graduates who took Contemporary History - or another course in the same subject area.

History

Graduate statistics

30%

In a job where degree was essential or beneficial

70%

In work, study or other activity

80%

Say it fits with future plans

45%

Are utilising studies

Top job areas

20%

Business and public service associate professionals

20%

Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation

10%

Administrative occupations

10%

Architecture and construction professionals

Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates

Earnings after graduation

Earnings from University of Brighton graduates who took Contemporary History - or another course in the same subject area.

History and archaeology

Earnings

£19.3k

First year after graduation

£22k

Third year after graduation

£28.8k

Fifth year after graduation

Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Contemporary History.

Source: LEO

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree

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