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History & Heritage

We study history to make us more aware of the world around us. Our view of what happened in the past fundamentally shapes the way we view the present – and the future – and a sound understanding of this enables us to be engaged critically with the issues, debates and problems facing us in the twenty-first century.

Our daily lives are lived in the midst of the historic buildings, landscapes, and material objects of our past. But the it is about much more than just documents and physical remains – it is about people’s memories, how they make sense of their past and how they develop an understanding of their accumulated culture. Engaging with our past is crucial to building our sense of identity – as an individual, as part of a community, as a nation, and as a part of wider global society.

At Bath Spa, we occupy three historic campuses that are living historic sites in their own right. And on our very doorstep is the City of Bath – a city of international historical and cultural significance, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. It attracts over four million visitors a year, and plays a major role in a sector that contributes billions to the UK economy. It is also a city that provides the perfect backdrop for exploring the meaning and uses of the past not just in local and regional contexts – but beyond, in national, international and global contexts.

The History and Heritage programmes at Bath Spa have been designed and delivered by teaching staff who are passionate about the past and who are deeply committed to sharing their time, expertise and experience with you. We place teaching quality and student-centred approaches to teaching and learning at the centre of what we do, and we pride ourselves on the support, training and education we provide. But in History and Heritage at Bath Spa, students are also introduced to, taught by, and work closely with practitioners from a range of professions who collaborate with us in the creation and delivery of our programmes. At Bath Spa we offer students a deep intellectual and academic engagement with the subjects of History and Heritage, but we also offer a practical, hands-on approach to the study of the past through project work, volunteering opportunities, and work-experience and placements throughout your degree.

We offer the following degree programmes:

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When I graduated I got a place on the Wales Emerging Leadership Development Programme, a graduate scheme in the management sector of NHS Wales. I gained lots of transferable skills from my course – such as time management, organisational skills and effective writing practices – which proved very useful for applications and interviews. I found giving presentations during my first and second year to be most useful, as when I was applying for the graduate scheme I had to go to a assessment centre, where I was required to work in a team and present to a panel. Being able to use experience from university proved to be very helpful!

Cari Randall (Graduate, 2010).

Studying History at Bath Spa has been a life-changing experience for me. You get to know the staff really well, and they encourage and inspire you all the way. The sheer joy of seeing your name on your third year dissertation, and knowing you have learned enough to write and produce it is simply unforgettable.

Kate James (Graduate, 2011).

The Heritage module enabled me gain a four month education internship at Brooklands Museum. This is because the heritage project demonstrated that I could work with a team, work within a deadline and communicate with others. The internship let me build on this experience and enabled me to gain further valuable experience with in the heritage industry. Both contributed enormously towards getting my new job as a Visitor Services Assistant at The Roman Baths.

Karen Lockyear (Graduate, 2010) - Currently employed by the Roman Bath after graduate internship at Brooklands Museum.