History (Graduate Certificate)

Program Overview

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The Birkbeck Graduate Certificate in History offers a flexible postgraduate study in history, allowing students to specialize in a specific area through research or coursework. The program equips students with critical thinking skills, an understanding of diverse historical sources, and the ability to analyze and reconstruct the past effectively. It provides a pathway for aspiring historians and career-changers to enter the history field.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Birkbeck Graduate Certificate in History allows students to delve into the past while exploring diverse primary sources like documents, laws, diaries, newspapers, art, film, and archaeological evidence.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the tools and critical thinking skills essential for historical analysis.
• Foster a nuanced understanding of diverse historical sources and their interpretations.
• Provide opportunities to specialize in a specific historical area through research or focused coursework.
• Offer a flexible route for aspiring historians who desire a postgraduate level study without committing to a full Master's program.
• Enable career-changers with different undergraduate backgrounds to enter the history field.

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Description:

This program caters to learners with varying ambitions within the realm of history. Students can select between two paths:

• Research route: culminates in a 7000-word dissertation on a topic of personal interest, fostering independent research skills and the ability to contribute original knowledge within a specific historical domain.
• Taught route: provides the flexibility to choose one module from a diverse range of advanced options offered across History, Classics, and Archaeology, allowing specialization in preferred areas or exploration of new historical interests.

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Outline:

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Structure:

• 60 credits total.
• One core module (30 credits).
• One optional module of 30 credits chosen from:
• Dissertation (research route).
• Any Level 6 option module in History, Classics, or Archaeology (taught route).

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Individual modules:

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Core module:

• Foundations of History: Designed to equip students with a solid foundation in historical methodology and analysis.

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Optional modules (Dissertation Route):

• Dissertation: Students delve deeply into a research question of their choosing.

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Optional modules (Taught Route):

• A wide selection of Level 6 modules available across History, Classics, and Archaeology allows for individual focus or exploration.
Specific modules offered will differ depending on program term and year.

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Assessment:

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Methods:

• Literature review.
• Detailed dissertation proposal (research route only).
• Class attendance (minimum 60% required for successful completion).

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Teaching:

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Methods:

• Seminars
• Short lectures
• Group work
• Discussions
• Student presentations
• Field studies

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Teaching hours:

• Evenings: 6pm–9pm (typically split into two 1.5-hour sessions).
• Some daytime teaching offered for specific programs.
• Actual class hours vary depending on specific modules selected.

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Independent learning:

• Significant self-directed learning expected outside of formal classes.
• Expect approximately 5 hours of independent study required per 1 hour of taught session.

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Additional Support:

• Learning Development Service provides support with study and academic skills.
• Disability and Dyslexia Service caters to learners with specific needs.
• Counseling Service offers help with emotional or psychological difficulties.
• Mental Health Advisory Service supports students facing mental health challenges.

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Careers:

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Potential career paths:

• Research and archiving
• Education
• Heritage industry
• Publishing
• Journalism and media
• Charity sector

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Possible professions:

• Historian
• Higher education lecturer
• Archivist
• Journalist
• Heritage manager
• Politician’s assistant
• Academic librarian
• Museum/gallery curator

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Career Support:

• Birkbeck’s Careers and Enterprise service provides comprehensive assistance with career development during and after your studies.
They help connect your academic experience with professional goals and support career exploration and decision-making.

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Other:

• Applicants require a second-class honors degree (2.2) or above or equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience.
• English language proficiency requirements: IELTS score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for non-native English speakers.
• For international students without residency, appropriate student visas will be necessary depending on program duration.
• Students with prior university education may transfer relevant credits using established procedures.

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Part-time home students: £3,600 per year Part-time international students: £6,610 per year