You will study economic and social forces from 1750 to the present day, both in Britain and internationally, and with an emphasis on the development of a wide range of transferable skills.

Year 1

In the first year you will take two courses that are built around the key themes of

• the workplace
• social order and conflict
• gender and the family
• migration and the community
• international economic relations.

We place national histories in an international perspective and rapid transitions against the background of long-term trends. In this way, you will be able to understand the experiences of your own society and economy more fully.

You will be introduced to major themes in history, including sources of economic growth and social change, and the international transmission of social and economic trends.

Year 2

You will study economic and social change in the UK from 1750 onwards. Again, this is covered by two courses, the first studying the period 1750-1914 and the second from 1914 to the present day. The first course begins with the Industrial Revolution and deals with questions such as

• why did the British economy grow so rapidly?
• what were the social consequences of change?

The second course analyses many of the same themes in the context of the UK’s economic and social development in the 20th century. In particular, the impact of the two World Wars is considered, along with changes in interwar Britain, the rise of the Welfare State and postwar economic decline.

Years 3 and 4

If you successfully complete the courses in first and second years you may progress to study for an Honours degree (years three and four).

In your Honours years you will be able to choose from a wide range of options covering countries including Germany, Japan, USA, Eastern Europe, Scotland and the UK. These reflect the research expertise of the staff and allow the in-depth study of topics such as economic policy, social policy, poverty, gender history, business history, the history of work, medicine, and popular culture.

Other aspects of your Honours years will be

• core courses that encourage the development of skills in interpretation of texts and sources, and presentation of evidence and arguments through individual and group projects
• a dissertation on a subject of your choice (this is optional)
• a compulsory reading and study trip in year three.

Economic and social history is a subject with a strong international outlook. We have links with universities around the world for both teaching and research.

At Honours, it is possible to do this degree together with a language. It usually involves spending a year abroad between the second and third years of the programme. This type of degree is particularly useful if you hope to develop a career overseas.

Our graduates are trained to express themselves logically and to speak confidently. They have learned how to handle and analyse information, to make independent judgements, and organise their time effectively. This means you will have a great deal of flexibility in your choice of employment. Our graduates have found employment in

• management in industry, retailing, marketing and financial services
• central and local government
• the media and information technology
• teaching at all levels
• libraries, museums and archives
• social work and other personnel services.