History (Heritage and Public History)

By undertaking in-depth study in heritage and public history, you’ll be able to examine and confront the power of the past in the contemporary world. This takes us from the World Heritage City of Bath, on our doorstep, to the destruction of heritage sites in Iraq and Syria; from the history of slavery to its silent, largely unacknowledged memorialisation in the buildings of the city and the great houses set in the surrounding countryside.

Against this background, you’ll also explore the importance of heritage in the local, regional and national economy, how museums ‘work’, the skills needed to work in the museums and heritage sector, and some of ways in which the past is presented to and consumed by all of us. We’ll help you to take complex historical ideas and think about how to present them in different ways to different audiences; and how to apply these skills outside the University.

Year one
Provides a basis for developing new historical skills and understanding, and an introduction to the study of ‘heritage’ and the concept of ‘public history’. You’ll think about the different ways in which we approach historical study and about evidence and interpretation. You’ll learn how to ‘read’ a historic object or landscape as you would a document, and about how our attitudes towards such material have changed over time.

Year two
Offers more specialised study, drawing on modules which explore different historical periods and places, and a deeper exploration of why and how the past is valued – and sometimes abused – in the contemporary world. From the broad foundations of year one, you’ll now focus on your chosen subjects in greater depth, developing a more critical approach to your reading of historical texts and sources, and sharpening your own skills in analysing and interpreting evidence – and in presenting your findings.

Year three
Is your chance to show just how far you’ve come. Your final dissertation or project allows you to design, implement and present your own piece of work, examining a historical question which matters to you, and thinking about how you might present your work in different contexts and for different audiences. You’ll also have a range of module choices, usually on topics that most closely reflect the research interests of the History and Heritage team.

Those of you with a particular interest in heritage and public history, and perhaps an ambition to work in the industry, might decide to apply for the Year in Professional Practice placement, between year two and year three. If you are successful, this will give you comprehensive experience of how heritage works, with one or more of our partner organisations, and a great foundation for your final year of formal study.

Work is assessed in a variety of ways, to test different knowledge and skills – essays, presentations, practical projects, writing for different audiences and media, analysing written and material evidence.

Teaching happens in lectures and smaller seminars and workshops, on site visits and in the archive or museum. You’ll work as an individual and in smaller groups, looking at evidence, formulating arguments or preparing your presentation.

The History and Heritage staff provide support through group and one-to-one tutorials, and there are lots of other forms of advice and guidance available to you, to help you to develop your research, writing and time and project management skills.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

From archaeology to art, you’ll have opportunities to participate in fieldwork across the History modules. Please note that you may have to pay for some of these study visits.

Our students have worked on placements and projects with a wide range of museum and heritage organisations in the city of Bath and the wider region. We work closely with the National Trust, English Heritage and Arts Council England, and with local organisations such as the Bath Preservation Trust and the Holburne Museum in Bath, the ss Great Britain in Bristol, and Radstock Museum in North Somerset – from the Royal Crescent to steam ships, great art to coalmining.

History and Heritage graduates have entered a range of professions including teaching, event management, and heritage management. Our graduates now work for organisations such as the National Trust, Wiltshire County Council and Bath Preservation Trust. Some of our students go onto to study for a Masters degree, including our own highly regarded MA in Heritage Management, and then to a PhD.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

As a History (Heritage and Public History) student you’ll be taught at Newton Park campus. You’ll benefit from access to:

• Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Our Virtual Learning Environment
• The University Archive