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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Modern History and International Relations
University of Essex
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Modern History and International Relations course at University of Essex.
We're still busy gathering entry requirements for Modern History and International Relations at University of Essex. Look out for more info soon.
Most popular A-levels studied
The Modern History and International Relations course at University of Essex features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| History | C |
| English Literature | C |
| Geography | C |
| Government and Politics | B |
| Psychology | C |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Government and Politics | C |
| Sociology | C |
| Geography | C |
| History | C |
| Biology | C |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: VL12
Here's what University of Essex says about its Modern History and International Relations course.
You obtain a thorough grounding in the fields of modern history and international relations, and will explore how these disciplines influence one another.
You take introductory modules in international relations and politics alongside your history modules in your first year, and continue to combine modules in modern history and international relations in your second and third years. There is a range of options to choose from in both departments and you choose to write your final-year dissertation in either politics or history.
In your history modules you investigate the intersection of the ideas, cultures and economics of different people over the last 200 years of western history. You’re introduced to the relationship between today’s ‘modern’ world, which assumes the significance of political liberty, global interdependence and sexuality, and events and ideas which originated in the 18th and 19th centuries.
This course should also interest you if you want to understand how the international system works, how decisions are made and how lines are drawn. You’ll gain a foundation in politics, while the study of international relations develops your research and critical analysis skills, while teaching you methods of analysis and giving you awareness of the world system.
You have the opportunity to further your interests in modern history and international relations by selecting modules from a wide range of specialisms, including:
-
conflict and security studies
-
the politics of the Middle East
-
the spread of communist-inspired revolutions in China, Russia, and Latin America
-
the origins and consequences of the Cold War
-
imperialism in Africa
Source: University of Essex
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Location
Colchester Campus | Colchester
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• History
• International relations
Start date
October 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| 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 | £21,500 per year |
| International | £21,500 per year |
The modules you will study
Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.
University of Essex student reviews
Showing 45 reviews
2nd year student
2 years ago
The SU tries their best with the budget they have. They are probably one of the only departments who try their hardest at Essex. Societies and sports clubs are great with lots of socials and a great way and the best way to make new friends at Essex. The 2 bars and nightclub on campus are ok although...
2nd year student
2 years ago
I live near Colchester so I haven’t moved far to go to Essex University so I knew what the area would be like. It isn’t the most busiest area and you can pretty much find every and do everything tourist-wise in a couple of days. Nightlife is ok with the club on campus and a couple in the town, all o...
2nd year student
2 years ago
With the cost of living so high in the UK, the University has only raised their rent slightly and when you take into account that bills are included, the cheaper accommodation options are quite good deals. I notice that financial support is offered to those in more difficult circumstances due to the...
2nd year student
2 years ago
There is more that could be done in this area and I imagine those who are new to this sort of environment (living on your own, needing to self motivate to study etc) would struggle as there is a lack of communication from all aspects of the University. A simple email explaining how a specific examin...
2nd year student
2 years ago
The facilities on campus for education (library, labs etc) I cannot fault and they all work effectively. However, the accommodation is quite poor. In my 1st year in halls, I moved into a dirty room which smelt like a toilet. Clearly it hadn’t been cleaned since the last tenant which meant I had to c...
2nd year student
2 years ago
The course content is good however the delivery is lacking. It seems pointless going to lectures face to face as a lot of lecturers just read off the slides and add nothing on top. Sometimes the lecturers themselves seem puzzled at some of the content on the slides and they often just quickly move o...
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Essex
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Modern History and International Relations course at University of Essex features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
86%
med
Teaching on my course
86%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
83%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
97%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
75%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
med
Learning opportunities
85%
med
Learning opportunities
85%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
85%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
86%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
79%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
89%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
84%
high
Assessment and feedback
84%
med
Assessment and feedback
84%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
87%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
87%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
78%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
91%
high
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
77%
med
Academic support
94%
med
Academic support
94%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
98%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
90%
med
Organisation and management
86%
med
Organisation and management
86%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
86%
med
How well organised is your course?
87%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
87%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
98%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
89%
med
Student voice
80%
med
Student voice
80%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
67%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
84%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
90%
high
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
71%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
80%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
85%
med
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
92%
med
Teaching on my course
92%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
95%
high
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
100%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
82%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
low
Learning opportunities
82%
low
Learning opportunities
82%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
83%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
77%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
83%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
88%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
77%
med
Assessment and feedback
82%
med
Assessment and feedback
82%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
86%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
92%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
76%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
86%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
67%
low
Academic support
95%
med
Academic support
95%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
97%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
92%
med
Organisation and management
85%
med
Organisation and management
85%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
88%
med
How well organised is your course?
82%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
89%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
95%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
87%
med
Student voice
71%
low
Student voice
71%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
46%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
85%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
81%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
63%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
92%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
72%
low
Student information
The Modern History and International Relations course at University of Essex features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
The Modern History and International Relations course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Essex graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
55%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
78%
In work, study or other activity
60%
Say it fits with future plans
35%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
30%
Business and public service associate professionals
15%
Administrative occupations
10%
Information Technology Professionals
5%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
Graduate statistics
40%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
87%
In work, study or other activity
65%
Say it fits with future plans
45%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
20%
Sales occupations
15%
Business and public service associate professionals
10%
Administrative occupations
10%
Elementary occupations
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
The Modern History and International Relations course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for University of Essex graduate earnings across each of those subject areas.
Earnings
£24.1k
First year after graduation
£29.6k
Third year after graduation
£33.2k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£20.4k
First year after graduation
£25.6k
Third year after graduation
£30.3k
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 Modern History and International Relations.
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
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of Essex on The Student Room.
University of Essex open days
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