LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
CAREERS WITH A UCL HISTORY DEGREE ADVICE FOR WRITING YOUR UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT
DON'T FORGET YOUR WOK!
(AND OTHER USEFUL TIPS…)
THE LOWDOWN
CUMBERLAND LODGE
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?
The History department at UCL is one of the best in the world. Our lecturers are leading researchers in their fields, continually publishing important books and articles that shape the subject. They bring this research expertise into their teaching, which means that our students benefit from the latest in historical research. All the coursework essays you write will be returned to you in one-to-one tutorials, during which you will receive helpful advice on what you did well and what you could improve. We’ve completely redeveloped our first year syllabus in order to aid transition into Higher Education. In your first year, core modules train you to work on a group project, and help you to acquire the writing skills needed to produce high quality essays at university level. But you also choose further modules from a wide range of options. The choices become greater still in the following years. In your last year of study, you research and write your own dissertation. The department offers modules in the history of Western Europe (including Britain), the history of the Americas, North and South and in the history of China, India, and Africa. UCL’s History department is not just an intellectually stimulating place to be; we are also a friendly and supportive department, dedicated to helping our students make the most of the opportunities we offer. I do hope you will join us.
Jason Peacey
PROF JASON PEACEY HEAD OF DEPARTMENT 2015-2018
/UCLHistory @UCLHistory
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U N I V E R SI T Y C O L L EG E OF LONDON Hi s tor y
INSIDE 10 Reasons to Study History at UCL
pg 2
About UCL
pg 4
Careers
pg 5
The History of History at UCL
pg 6
Student Prospectus
pg 7
Living in London
pg 12
Pastoral Care and Settling In
pg 13
Admissions
pg 14
Writing a Personal Statement
pg 15
Staff Views
pg 16
OUR STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS
SHONA TAYLOR
WILL ROBERTS
GUS ALLEN
JAMES ASHCROFT
H i s to r y UNIVER SITY COLLEGE OF LO NDON
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10 1. WE HAVE SMALL CLASS SIZES
You will have one-to-one tutorials in your first term, and every time an essay is returned to you. You will be taught in groups of no more than 15 and sometimes as small as 4.
4. YOU WILL BE TAUGHT BY LEADING HISTORIANS
2. WE OFFER INNOVATIVE MODULES
We are opening up inventive ways of studying new and old subjects, from magic, marriage and monarchy to imperialism, nationalism and popular politics.
5. WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO TEACHING
3. WE HAVE A UNIQUE LOCATION
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Accommodation close to where you will study – right in the heart of London – and within walking distance of important resources for historians, such as the British Library and the British Museum.
U N I V E R SI T Y C O L L EG E OF LONDON Hi s tor y
UCL History consistently appears in the top 5 History departments in the UK for research. Many of the people who will teach you are the leading figures in their field. And unlike in some other universities, you will be taught – and your work will be marked – by those leading historians.
All members of staff teach undergraduates, all our modules involve direct contact with a faculty member and our modules get overwhelmingly positive feedback for the energy and enthusiasm of teachers.
STUDENT VIEWS EMMA ZÜRCHER Year 2, BA History
Where did you live in your first year? UCL Residences - Frances Gardner House Essential item to take with you to university Coffee machine! What has been your favourite module so far? The Middle Ages with Prof. David D’Avray. Where is your favourite place in London? The Moorish Cafe, close to UCL. Most surprising thing about university The intensity of the course, but also the enjoyment I get out of studying something I really love. Highlight of your first year Coming back from Christmas break to see my friends again!
6. WE HAVE A TRULY INTERNATIONAL FEEL
Our faculty and student body is drawn from all over the world, from no less than 23 countries!
7. WE HAVE AN UNMATCHED CHRONOLOGICAL RANGE
From the Ancient Near East to the present day, history at UCL is not just modern history, but the whole recorded history of human civilization.
8. UCL HAS ONE OF THE BEST RECORDS OF GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT
9. YOU WILL GET ONE-TO-ONE FEEDBACK IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
We return all your pieces of work in one-to-one tutorials. And we don’t just give you a grade; we help you to understand how you can improve your writing.
10. YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH OTHER TALENTED, HIGHACHIEVING STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS
We admit students from many different backgrounds who all have one thing in common: an enthusiasm and a talent for history. If that’s you, you’ll find likeminded people at UCL.
As a top 5 university in the heart of London, we produce some of the highest earning graduates in the UK.
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STUDENT VIEWS
ELSPETH HUNT
Year 2, BA History
UCL was established as a nonsectarian alternative to Oxford and Cambridge, which at that time were the only higher education institutions in England. In its early years, Jews, Catholics, non-conformists and atheists who were denied entry to Oxbridge studied at UCL; later we were the first university in Britain to admit women on the same basis as men. In the 1860s, the first Japanese students to study in the West were admitted to UCL; and in the first half of the twentieth century UCL offered an academic home to a generation of brilliant scholars who fled fascist persecution in Germany and Italy. Today, we are as multi-cultural and multinational an institution as any in the world and our alumni include politicians, Nobel prize-winners, writers and artists.
Where did you live in your first year? Frances Gardner House Essential item to take with you to university The app Citymapper What has been your favourite module so far? Britain and the Wider World, it was fascinating to learn about the rise and fall of Britain’s power status, and helped me better understand our current global position. Also looking at the impact of Empire helped me better understand the development of excolonies in Africa and Asia. Truly fascinating and enlightening module! Where is your favourite place in London? The Victoria and Albert museum. They always have phenomenal exhibitions on, and a real diversity of historical areas. Also a gold mine for anyone who loves fashion! Most surprising thing about university How easy it was to make friends. I was terrified before starting that I wouldn’t find a group or people I connected with. But everyone is in the same boat, and very quickly I’d found an amazing group. Societies were also central to helping find similar minded people.
Students enjoying their free-time at Cumberland Lodge
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U N I V E R SI T Y C O L L EG E OF LONDON Hi s tor y
Highlight of your first year As the new treasurer for UCLU pole fitness society, pole has been central to my first year experience. We held our first interuniversity competition this year. I’d never done pole before and was terrified when it came to performing on my own. So the highlight of first year was placing 3rd in the beginners category.
A history degree at a first class university is an ideal training ground for any career that requires analytical skills, clarity of written and oral expression, imagination and empathy. Our graduates go on to work in the media, in business or finance, and in the diplomatic and civil services of many countries. Developing a foreign language competence can be of huge value in the workplace, as well as helping with your academic studies. London students have the great advantage of having many leading employers in the worlds of law, finance, business, media and communication on their doorstep, offering unrivalled opportunities for internships and work placements. Surveys show that London graduates command significantly higher starting salaries than the national graduate average. And if you wish to continue your studies at postgraduate level, the department runs a wide range of MA degree programmes and supervises many PhD students. Many of our undergraduates have gone on to distinguished academic careers.
“
Deloitte UK
“Deloitte has a long-standing relationship with UCL and we have a large number of alumni now working across our Audit, Tax, Consulting and Corporate Finance areas. We continue to work with the university and target UCL students due to the high-calibre of applications that we receive every year”
Civil Service Fast Stream
“UCL is second to none in its proactive and wide ranging approach to bringing employers and students together through events and other activities, and is ceaseless in it’s drive to enhance the skill set and employability of its graduates. This makes engaging with UCL a tremendously worthwhile partnership.”
Teach First
“Six UCL History graduates started the Teach First Leadership Development Programme in 2014. These candidates have been accepted on one of Britain’s most prestigious graduate schemes and possessed strong leadership, resilience and problem solving skills. These qualities allowed the students to shine in our recruitment process. Applications from students and graduates of the UCL History department is strongly desired.”
STUDENT VIEWS
KAT SAUNDERS
Year 2, BA History
We strongly encourage you to take a language module while you are here. UCL offers modules in both ancient and modern languages, aimed at different levels of competence. Developing a foreign language competence can be of huge value in the workplace, as well as helping with your academic studies. If you are admitted to study Ancient History or Ancient History and Egyptology you will be required to take an Ancient language. If you come to study History with a European Language (Spanish, French, German or Italian), you will naturally study that language as preparation for your third year abroad.
Where did you live in your first year? Schafer House Essential item to take with you to university A wok What has been your favourite module so far? The Medieval Universe. Where is your favourite place in London? British Museum (currently volunteering there!) Most surprising thing about university How many different and interesting resources are available to use (e.g. museums, collections, etc.) Highlight of your first year Going to the Wellcome Collection to look at original medieval medical manuscripts
H i s to r y UNIVER SITY COLLEGE OF LO NDON
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STUDENT VIEWS
NIKOLAOS SOUSLOUS
Year 2, BA History
Where did you live in your first year? Privately owned flat. Essential item to take with you to university: Academic calendar. What has been your favourite module so far? Paths through Modernity: Europe 18701945. Where is your favourite place in London? Bloomsbury and the surrounding areas. Most surprising thing about university The variety of non-academic activities one can undertake. Highlight of your first year One of the History Society events during Freshers’ Week.
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U N I V E R SI T Y C O L L EG E OF LONDON Hi s tor y
The first lecture in history at UCL was given in 1830, just two years after what was then known as the University of London first opened its doors to students of all creeds. It was not easy to find a suitable person to be the first Professor of History, which was perhaps not surprising, given that it was in Germany, not Britain, that the modern historical profession was founded around this time. Not until the early twentieth century did History really become established at UCL, due almost entirely to the innovating energies of A. F. Pollard, Professor of Constitutional History, who also took the lead in creating the University of London School of History, the Institute of Historical Research and the Historical Association. It was at this time, too, that one of the most unusual features of the Department was established, namely the pursuit of both ancient and modern history. By mid-century, the Department’s academic staff covered most aspects of British and European history, and both US history and Latin American history were thriving. Alfred Cobban, the distinguished historian of France, and Arnaldo Momigliano, the great ancient historian whose formidable intellectual range encompassed most matters of historical interest, did a great deal to consolidate the reputation of UCL History as one of the most ambitious and wideranging departments in Britain.
L C U HISTORY T N E M T R A P E D
T N E D U T S E TH PROSPEC TUS
UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT P R OSP E CTUS
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If you’ve got this far, the chances are you’re considering coming to study History at UCL or perhaps you’ve already received an offer and you’re just trying to work out what you’re really in for…either way, this next section is slightly different and hopefully it’ll make your decision/preparation that little bit easier.
Students working and socialising in the Undergraduate Common Room
These next few pages have been entirely produced by UCL History students and are intended to give you an idea of what life is really like at ‘London’s Global University’!
Academically UCL is brilliant. Fact. Consistently ranked as one of the top 10 universities in the UK and, as any current student will tell you quicker than you can say ‘league table’, ranked 4th IN THE WORLD by QS*. You’re guaranteed to get some good teaching and you’ll leave university as a highly employable graduate. However, university life is about more than just lectures and so we want to give you an idea about life outside the library. Covering g, everything from where to get a free lunch to how to learn salsa dancin this is a student insight into life at UCL.
*www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings
HISTORY SOCIETY events to welcome you when you arrive. As a prestigious university in a central London location, UCL constantly attracts impressive names, and the History Society is no exception, with speakers lined up already for the coming year from the Cabinet Office and The Independent. In addition to that, we’ve got ambitious plans for the Easter Ball and socials throughout the year, as well as useful academic support like the book swap planned for the first term. We’re an approachable and inclusive society, eager to incorporate our students’ views from all years and use the talents and interests of our members to make sure there’s Every UCL History student is always an exciting range of events to suit all tastes. The eligible to join the society, and as committee is elected annually by members, and anyone your committee we endeavour to provide our members keen to get involved in the society is not only welcome to with regular useful and inspiring career events, academic stand, but encouraged to do so! speakers and fun socials to ensure that you make the The History Society works closely with the department to most out of your time as a UCL historian. You’ll first provide historians with events and opportunities to help come across us in Freshers’ Week, as it’s our job to History degree, and most importantly – to make sure all the new historians settle in and get to know maximise your make sure you have a great time doing it! one another - so we’ll have a packed calendar of social
Here at UCL History, we are proud of our reputation as a friendly and fun department with a lively academic and social calendar – and the History Society plays an important part in upholding that reputation!
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U C L H I ST O RY D E PA RT M ENT ST UDENT PROSPECTUS
FINANCE When you tell your friends and family that you’re going to university in London they’ll probably look at you as if you are crazy, and begin asserting that London is too expensive for anyone, let alone a student. The truth is that London living is a little more expensive than elsewhere in the country though this is often hugely exaggerated.
Nevertheless saving money and organising your finances well is important, and by the time you finish your first term you’ll be an expert at making each pound go a little further. Day-to-day living needn’t be expensive – for instance, my local café serves up a delicious full English and cappuccino for less than a fiver and I get my hair cut for six quid. The largest expense, something even the thriftiest student cannot avoid, is rent. Whilst our cousins in the north are paying less than a hundred pounds a week per person, rent in London will be closer to the £150 mark, with others paying considerably more. This is offset by a higher loan for London Students as well as jobs that pay more per hour in London.
Weekly Budget (for a first year student)
I know that UCL already gives a rough guide to budgeting somewhere in the mountains of prospectuses but let’s face it, what do they know? It goes without saying that this is a rough but nonetheless useful guide to determine how much you will be spending a week. I go by the rule of trying, not buying, things I don’t need and it has seemed to work for first year. Alternatively, you may be the offspring of a wealthy banker, oligarch or music mogul – in which case ignore this advice… Rent: £120-200 (in Halls of Residence – this includes utility bills and food if you are catered) Food: £30 Going out/entertainment: £30 Travel: £10 Rough Total = £190-270 per week
Things Not to Buy
Government Loans and Grants
Dull but very necessary. If you have not applied yet, the deadline is nine months into the academic year. Though you should apply sooner, rather than later, otherwise your money could be delayed and nobody wants that in Freshers’ Week!
Tuition Fee Loan:
• Pens and sticky notes – you get tons of these at freshers’ events plus banks give them away as well • Condoms – free at Gower Street practice! • Crockery – get this from home, really no point buying it new • Taxi Rides – London public transport is generally good. Some buses run 24/7. Though if you are horrifically lost – the taxi app Uber is good for getting back home.
UCL Grants
• More undergraduate students are eligible for UCL Grants than they think • These are usually awarded to students who meet the specific grant/bursary eligibility criteria • The UCL Undergraduate Bursary/National Scholarship Programme (NSP) will provide support for prospective students from low income families. This is a single award • UCL Access to Learning Fund (ALF) - provides financial assistance to UK students who find themselves in financial difficulty once they have enrolled • UCL Hardship Fund – provides similar financial assistance to UK/EU students as the UCL Access to Learning Fund • Various international bursaries, please check with the International Office for more information • The UCL website has an abundance of information on the grants/bursaries/scholarships available to undergraduate students
• £9000 per year paid directly by student finance to the university in three instalments • UK and EU students are eligible, not means-tested • Unfortunately has to be paid back, but only when you are earning over £21,000 a year
Maintenance Loan:
• Varies depending on home income, though all UK students are eligible to some amount of loan • Paid in three instalments into your bank account (usually at the beginning of each term) • Again, unfortunately this has to be paid back, but only when you are earning over £21,000 a year
Maintenance Grant:
• Must be UK resident enrolled on a fulltime undergraduate programme • Varies depending on household income • Paid into bank account at the start of term • If taken, will reduce the amount of loan you are eligible for • Does not have to be paid back If you are studying abroad, there are also travel grants available.
UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT P R OSP E CTUS
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M WPEEK IN ‘A A
’ … E F I L THE Monday
AM: Up bright and early for a 9am lecture on Consumerism in
SHONA TAYLOR
the Cold War – one of the topics taken from my ‘Europe Since 1945’ survey course, which runs in the form of weekly lectures and seminars throughout the whole academic year. After that it’s off to the library to brush up on recommended reading for tomorrow’s lecture on Colonial America… PM: Hour-long seminar at 4pm where we expand on the history covered in the lecture; exploring broader themes regarding the social and cultural History of the Cold War and how changing ideas of the home and family were shaped by consumerism and mass production.
Evening: Monday, 7pm and it’s time to head over to check out
what’s on at Debating Society’s weekly public debate. Anyone can come along and join in, and the impressive outside speakers and student contributors always make for a lively evening.
Tuesday AM: Another early rise for today’s lecture on migration to the American Colonies in the 1700’s, followed by the corresponding seminar where we discuss an essay question style approach to this topic, exploring the impact that eighteenth-century ex-pats had on Britain’s first empire overseas. PM: After a yoga taster session with UCLU’s Yoga & Meditation Society, it’s time to head back to halls to spend the afternoon finishing off some research on the reaction of the Romantic poets to the arrival of the Elgin Marbles in Britain, in time for tomorrow’s Making History project group meeting.
Wednesday AM: A mercifully more leisurely start this morning, as an 11 o’clock
group meeting is scheduled to work on our project on the political, social and cultural significance of the Elgin Marbles, to be assessed via group presentation, online blog and a series of collaborative essays. This contributes towards Making History, a new module completed in the first term where groups chose from a wide range of historical investigations centred on an artefact or resource in London.
Evening: Wednesday night on Gower Street
means only one thing: topping off an afternoon of sport (that’s what your weekly afternoons off are for, you know…) with UCL’s Sports Night. Recently relocated to the Loop bar just off Oxford Circus due to overwhelming demand, this club night sees UCL’s sporting elite (and anyone who fancies a dance) flock to Loop for a fun, unpretentious and affordable student night out.
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U C L H I ST O RY D E PA RT M ENT ST UDENT PROSPECTUS
Thursday AM: First up is a 10am lecture for the core Writing History module, taught in a series of lectures at the beginning of term where students get to grips with critical reading, note-taking and writing skills. Later the module progresses into small group sessions which provide the opportunity for peer assessment and discussion guided by a tutor, before final assessment through a fully drafted essay to ease you into writing undergraduate History. PM: Continue this morning’s productivity with a gym session at UCL’s Bloomsbury Fitness on Gordon Street, the cheapest gym in WC1 which offers great value student rates for excellent facilities and a range of classes on campus.
Friday
AM: Friday morning brings the final
lecture of the week, one of Making History’s series of core lectures which cover a range of practical skills like referencing and avoiding plagiarism as well as information about using research facilities like museums and archives in UCL and beyond. Evening: After a busy week at UCL the Friday night solution is clear: where can you find three bars with great drinks deals, one pound entry for students and, of course, half of your class? The University of London Union of course! ULU, as it is more commonly known offers a fun, cheap night out without leaving campus if you don’t fancy venturing further afield – just don’t schedule Saturday morning’s library session too early…
MA P The facilities on the UCL campus are great and are all shown on the official university map. However, one of the huge advantages of being at university in central London is that there is so much going on off campus, just a few minutes’ walk from the uni gates. We’ve therefore put together a map featuring some of our favourite places in the surrounding area. Enjoy!
Night life
Libraries/ Museums
Coffee
Food
Recreation
Outdoors
UCL
on Square) A) UCL History Department (Gord ) Road t Cour m B) The Court (Tottenha for £1 and you’ll Grab a student discount card cheapest drinks find this pub offers the best and of the student union. around UCL beyond the walls C) Dirty Martini (Russell Street) such a great bar You’d be hard-pressed to find here in London, with so late a happy hour anyw campus (10pm never mind walking distance from t Sun). Nigh l at/Al Fri-S /8pm -Thu Mon D) The Roxy (Rathbone Place) to The Loop, but Sports Night may have moved piece of UCL’s little this after, re you’ club a it’s if re! explo an h wort still is ry histo
E) Thirst (Greek Street) palatable than Open until 3am and rather more the sober at least), (for t stree the ss acro nies Moo away in the depths Thirst is a gem of a bar hidden of Soho. F) ICCO (Charlotte Street) away pizza, no Can’t beat £3.95 for a great take than must-try, More in! eat to 0 £4.5 at less a steal for any UCL age pass of rite a ly simp ICCO is quite student. t Road) G) Franco Manca (Tottenham Cour just a little for pizza best very on’s Lond Or try more. H) BiBimBap (Charlotte Street) before then this is If you haven’t tried Korean food a meat-lover or re you’ ther Whe . start to the place this place long with love in fall ll you’ n, a vegetaria prices. before you clock its affordable I) Honest Burger (Market Place) er places in There’s no shortage of great burg t just top the lot; London but Honest Burger migh otch burger and a can’t go wrong with this top-n ed fries for £8. side of addictive rosemary-salt Fields) Inn oln’s (Linc ry J) Fleet River Bake wiches: Fleet Coffees, cakes, pastries and sand mouth-watering River Bakery serves them all to perfection.
K) Wahaca (Charlotte Street) Miers serves up Masterchef winner Thomasina Mexican food in filling t mos st, tastie some of the UCL, it won’t from away throw e’s London. A ston r! break the bank eithe ) L) Waitrose (Tottenham Court Road ’ don't really The words ‘Waitrose’ and ‘free up for a Waitrose sound right together, but sign Waitrose coffee membership card and you’ll get for free. No strings attached. Way) M) Bloomsbury Lanes (Bedford sitting in halls? Don’t want to spend an evening in the mood for Bored of the pub? But not quite For some reason dancing? Go bowling instead. ling since they no one seems to have been bow it’s still amazing. were about 11, but 8 years later, e, it may just be gam good a l bow you if usly, Serio rsity life… unive your of night fying satis t the mos N) Attendant (Goodge Street) public toilet – A coffee shop in an old Victorian ? want you could what more Street) O) British Museum (Great Russell still, a year on and but , gem en hidd a tly exac Not nt still haven’t some members of the departme ents and this stud ry Histo re you’ usly, been. Serio UCL. Go. from walk te minu 5 a lly place is litera NOW! rnhaugh P) Hare Krishna Free Lunch (Tho y a free meal? Street) Feeling broke and fanc and get your free Queue up at the SOAS campus n lunch. ‘spiritually enhanced’ vegetaria Q) Primrose Hill over central Looking for spectacular views priced trip up the London, but don’t fancy an over rose Hill could be Shard? A walk to the top of Prim the perfect solution. Street) R) The Carpenter’s Arms (Whitfield tional décor, a Not the cheapest, but with tradi terrace, The good selection of ales and a roof ic English pub. Carpenter’s feels like the class
Street) S) Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club (Frith jazz clubs. Entry One of the world’s most famous go along to one of normally costs around £30, but student card and their late night shows with your get in for £5. swick Square) T) The Foundling Museum (Brun can’t quite face the If you fancy a bit of culture but ming size of the throngs of tourists and overwhel dling Museum British Museum, a trip to the Foun ng for. looki re you’ what just be could oln’s Inn U) Sir John Soane’s Museum (Linc r, the Sir John Fields) A museum like no othe tacular insight Soane’s Museum provides a spec itect. arch gian Geor the of life into the V) Lincoln’s Inn Fields squares in London, One of the oldest and largest on a sunny relax to place ct perfe the this is to explore the time of bit little a Take . afternoon rich history. its ver disco and area surrounding ) Road on (Eust ry Libra h W) Britis of every book Legally required to hold a copy d, the British Library produced in the UK and Irelan period best friend. could well become your exam t) Stree rlotte (Cha X) Italia Uno sandwich but feel If you’re looking for a heavy duty place for you. the be could Subwayed out, this ) Road s Cros ring (Cha Y) Bar Salsa ent night out If you’re looking for a slightly differ idea of dancing that and aren’t totally averse to the Salsa is a lot of actually involves a bit of skill, Bar can even get to the fun. If you’re feeling brave, you a Salsa lesson. bar in the early evening and join Z) Kerb (UCL Campus) that comes to A collection of different food stalls nesday of every the UCL campus on the last Wed St. Burgers. The month. Look out for Bleecker you have to wait only bad thing about them is that one. her anot get to th a mon
UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT P R OSP E CTUS
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One of many advantages of coming to UCL is the opportunity to live in the centre of a great world city. UCL is in an area of London called Bloomsbury, which is famous for its literary connections (notably, Dickens, T. S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf) and its leafy urban squares. All the cultural resources of one of the world’s great cities – music, theatre, art, nightlife – are within a mile or two of the UCL History Department.
year students are guaranteed a residential place, subject to conditions. And although London is a large city, 75% of our accommodation is within a 10-30 minute walk of the UCL main campus. For more details, see the UCL accommodation website. The website offers more than just advice and applications; you can go on virtual tours of the accommodation and read through a list of rental prices for the upcoming academic year.
For many students, embarking on a degree may mean living independently for the first time. This can be challenging, but UCL Student Accommodation’s aim is to make the transition as easy as possible. All new first
You may also like to find out more about funding and finance, including UCL grants and scholarships, this information is available on our funding website.
STUDENT VIEWS
HARLAN DAVIES
Year 3, BA History
Where did you live in your first year? Canterbury Hall Essential item to take with you to university A water bottle (save money & the environment!) What has been your favourite module so far? American History in Hollywood Film Where is your favourite place in London? Everywhere! Walking around London is a form of recreation in itself and is definitely a perk of studying in a city. Most surprising thing about university Having your preconceptions of people constantly shattered once you get to know them Ann Stephenson House
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U N I V E R SI T Y C O L L EG E OF LONDON Hi s tor y
Highlight of your first year Performing in ‘Hair’ at the Bloomsbury Theatre
We treat all of our students as individuals and will get to know you – your interests and needs – so that we can support you through any difficulties you may encounter during your time as a student. There is a dedicated student counselling service and hardship funds are available to students with financial problems. Within the department, you will be assigned a personal tutor, who will meet you at the start and end of every term for a chat about your academic progress and anything that might be affecting it. When you first arrive you will also have a transition mentor who will be another undergraduate History student, in their second or final year. We understand very well the challenge of coming to university for the first time. You are dealing with a lot at once – new academic pressures, unfamiliar subjects, the expectation that you work more independently than you may have been used to – and all in a new place. Your new lifestyle will help with this transition, as will UCL as a whole. But the History Department will be your academic home, so what do we do to help? A lot. •• A residential weekend at Cumberland Lodge
At the beginning of the first term, new first years are invited to spend a day and a night at Cumberland Lodge, a seventeenth century Royal Palace in Windsor Great Park. There will be lectures and you can participate in
workshops, and get the chance to socialise in a relaxed way with your fellow students and academics from the History Department. •• History Society
As well as having a dedicated transition mentor, you will also be encouraged to join the History Society; an undergraduate-run society that helps UCL historians to get to know one another and organises events for the benefit of history students. •• A dedicated Departmental Tutor
Whose main focus is student welfare and who will get to know you and will always be available as a source of support and advice. •• Writing History
A compulsory module taken in the first term of your first year to help prepare and equip you for writing at degree level. You will be taught in very small groups (no more than 4) and have a one to one tutorial to discuss the draft of your first essay. •• Making History
Another compulsory module taken in the first term of your first year; a group project with your fellow first years – conducting historical research using local resources, while getting to know your peers at the same time.
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We want the best students – whatever background they come from. So we work hard to try and ensure we have as diverse an intake as possible; people from all over the UK and all continents of the world, from all types of schools, and all social backgrounds. We generally admit around 180 undergraduates a year, plus about 100 masters’ students and 20 PhD students. Our undergraduate intake is evenly split between male and female, and about 75% of our UK-based students attended state schools. We normally expect students to achieve high grades in order to come here; A*AA-AAA at A Level. But we are very aware that our applicants come from very different backgrounds, some with extensive support from school, others with less, some with access to excellent libraries, others without. Our application process is designed to identify the people who we think have the potential to flourish here, so we always look at much more than simply predicted or achieved grades. We usually ask our applicants to send us a very short piece of writing about history which we read alongside their UCAS form, in order to get a better sense of the applicant’s potential. We look at personal statements, school references and make a judgment about exam performance in relation to what might be expected from what we know, statistically, about the school the applicants are coming from. We very much want to ensure that UCL History remains open and welcoming to people from groups who are currently underrepresented in Higher Education. There is no simple way of describing the kind of students who come here because our intake is so varied, but we hope that what they all have in common is a genuine intellectual excitement about studying history, genuine intellectual curiosity and historical imagination. We are not concerned about factual knowledge at this stage. Nor does it matter to us what period or type of history you may already have studied. What we want are students who have the potential to succeed and to enjoy a history degree. If you find the academic study of history fascinating, we would love to read your application. Everyone interested in studying here is welcome to get in touch with us beforehand to find out more about us. Our website has a plethora of information as well as our contact details. We have regular open days and are always happy to show you around and answer questions informally.
STUDENT VIEWS
BECKY DRISCOLL
Year 2, BA History
Where did you live in your first year? Commonwealth Hall Essential item to take with you to university Fairy lights and cushions to make your uni room really cosy and homely. What has been your favourite module so far? Definitely the Making History module, as it encouraged you to go out and explore London’s rich history as well as allowing you to meet and work together with other students on the History course. Where is your favourite place in London? Westminster - the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are spectacular to look at, as well as being able to see the Thames and the London Eye. There’s such an amazing buzz and so much History to take in: visiting Westminster made me realise that London was definitely the place I wanted to study at Uni. Most surprising thing about university How quickly you adapt to university living. I went from living in a tiny village to the heart of London. It’s an amazing feeling becoming independent and navigating your way around London - and conquering the dreaded tube map! London very quickly felt like home. Highlight of your first year I really enjoyed the History Easter Ball: it was a great excuse to get really dressed up and go out with my course mates. Free drinks too, which is always a bonus!
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DR ADAM SMITH
, A FORMER ADMISSIONS TUTOR, OFFERS HIS ADVICE… Writing your personal statement is one of the hardest, but most important things you need to do when applying to university. For many people it’s the first time that they’ve had to ‘sell’ themselves on paper, and it can be scary. But remember: this is the only part of the form over which you have complete control, so it is important to use it well and create the right impression. Your main objective in writing the statement should be to give the Admissions Tutor a clear impression of what you are like, how you think and why you want to study History.
Here are some pointers that may be helpful to you when writing your personal statement: 1. BE YOURSELF
The general rule: be yourself. Don’t try too hard. Don’t put in pretentious quotes from books you’ve never read, but try to explain why you want to study history in a clear and direct way.
2. WHY HISTORY?
3. EVIDENCE
Back up your claims to being enthusiastic about the subject with some evidence. So, for example, try to mention something specific which draws you to the subject, perhaps a book you’ve read which made a big impression on you, or an exhibition/museum you have visited. If you are doing an Extended Project, tell us what it’s about.
4. INTERESTS
Also think about your other interests, such as sport, music, theatre, art, environmental activism etc. If possible, use them to give us a sense of yourself as a potential student and show how they relate to your historical interests.
5. EXTRACURRICULARS But don’t waste too many words talking about extracurricular activities. It’s fine to put them in, but don’t let them dominate. People may well encourage you to do this on the grounds that universities are looking for ‘wellrounded’ people. We do, but we are mainly interested in finding the most intellectually interesting students.
6. WRITING STYLE
Try not to write an essay about why history is ‘important’. Admissions tutors don’t need to be convinced of this; they already work in a History department! Instead, try to explain why you want to study History (rather than why someone should). In other words, focus on your own relationship to the subject.
Make sure your statement is well written: focused, clear, direct, even elegant. Avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. History requires clear written expression, so an Admissions Tutor will look at how you write as well as what you write.
STUDENT VIEWS
AGATA ZIELINSKA Year 3, BA History
Where did you live in your first year? Intercollegiate Hall - Nutford House
Where is your favourite place in London? Primrose Hill at dusk.
Essential item to take with you to university Favourite light-read book, good headphones, sturdy book-bag. Do not bring your old history notes keep them in the attic, you will not use them at university, but it would be a crime to trash them.
Most surprising thing about university How quickly it passes by.
What has been your favourite module so far? The Medieval Universe - Dr. Sophie Page
Highlight of your first year Being forced to and actually being able to read an early modern document that had not been transcribed.
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CHAIR IN MODERN BRITISH HISTORY, ON UCL AND RESOURCES FOR HISTORIANS Undergraduate students at UCL enjoy access to some of the world’s premier cultural institutions and heritage sites. At UCL, we are awash with historical objects and places. UCL itself is home to several museum collections (of Art, Egyptology, Ethnography and Zoology) and a wealth of archival deposits (notably UCL Special Collections). Within a short walk from Gordon Square, students can visit the British Library, British Museum, Brunei Gallery, Foundling Museum, Hunterian Museum, Sir John Soane’s Museum and the Wellcome Collection (to name just a few nearby attractions). The History Department is especially keen to ensure that our degrees capitalise on these rich collections and resources. We build structured opportunities to work with London-based primary materials—such as artworks, buildings, manuscripts and monuments—into the undergraduate programme through the Making History module, taken in the autumn of your first year. Having sampled this array of primary sources at the start of the degree, students are able to weave primary materials into subsequent coursework, culminating in the final-year dissertation.
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From my perspective as both a module tutor and a researcher, integrating material culture into historical analysis offers a number of important challenges to traditions of historical analysis based on printed (or online) texts. Using objects readily accessible at UCL, such as ancient funerary urns or Chinese porcelain vases as primary materials, allows us to ‘read’ sources ‘written’ by non-literate historical actors—and thereby to include these populations in our interpretations of the past. Using unpublished documents and material culture to investigate the past also reminds us of the fragmentary vestiges of the past that books, newspapers and pamphlets capture—and thus alerts us to the highly selective histories these documents often narrate. As part of a project undertaken at the west London National Trust property, Osterley Park, for example, my research team recently questioned the iconic national identity of this ‘English’ stately home by reading its Asian furnishings as evidence for eighteenth century Osterley’s immersion in global history and culture. You can see a video for this project we made with UCL History undergraduate Joe Mason’s production company on YouTube. Outside the classroom, there are many opportunities at UCL to engage with London’s archives and museums. Information about opportunities to volunteer or to apply for an internship/work placement can be found from: British Museum, National Trust and Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). More broadly, the Students’ Union is also a key source of information on volunteering opportunities in London.
SENIOR LECTURER IN MEDIEVAL HISTORY ON THE ANNUAL CUMBERLAND LODGE CONFERENCE FOR NEW FIRST YEAR UNDERGRADUATES Since the 1950s, most first year students from the UCL History Department have spent the first weekend of their undergraduate careers at Cumberland Lodge. Every year, in the idyllic setting of Windsor Great Park, students and members of staff engage in a lively combination of informal lectures and workshops, friendly chats and highly contested pub quizzes. Students have the chance to socialise among themselves and with their prospective teachers and to taste a sample of the range of modules that they will be able to enjoy in the future months. Throughout the years, in the corridors and in the halls of this beautiful mid-seventeenth century residence, everlasting friendships have been forged and students and staff have begun to build together the sense of belonging and identity that characterises our Department. Informative, challenging and, most of all, immensely fun, the Cumberland Lodge weekend is by far one of the highlights of each academic year and is, certainly, an event not to be missed.
LECTURER IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY, ON SOME OF HIS MOST RECENT RESEARCH UCL is a fantastic place to learn about Latin American history. We were the first department in the UK to take the region seriously. While survey modules provide an introduction to key themes and countries, students also take thematic modules that are closely informed by faculty’s ongoing research. Much of my research and teaching examines authoritarian regimes in twentiethcentury Latin America – where they come from, how they rule, why they lose power, and what legacies they leave for new democracies. I’ve particularly tried to understand why Mexico’s great social revolution of 1910-20 slowly morphed into an authoritarian official party that ruled the country until 2000. For me, it’s a fascinating intellectual puzzle. For a start, understanding Mexican politics means grappling with a huge, ethnically mixed, regionally diverse, and profoundly unequal society - the so-called “many Mexicos”. I suppose I also want to understand what went wrong. After all, the revolution mobilized millions, inspired an extraordinary artistic renaissance, and produced the most socially progressive constitution in the world at the time. It’s also impossible to understand Mexico today without this history. Since the 1980s, elections have gradually become more competitive, but the legacies of the old system – corruption, human rights abuses, inequality – are all too evident. In
2012, the Mexican public, weary of the drug war, voted the old party back into power. Last year I finished up a project on military politics after the Mexican Revolution. The military’s history is still a very controversial topic, particularly its involvement in corruption and political repression. Many argue that, until recently, it was a public taboo. My book represents an effort (among many others) to open up discussion, and has also led me to a new project: a study of the politics of history during Latin America’s great wave of democratization since (roughly) the 1970s. Recently, I’ve also become interested in the politics of disease and public health. Any effort to control disease inevitably raises questions that are, broadly, political. Who gets to decide on an appropriate response? Who should bear the costs and disruption? What happens to national sovereignty when countries cooperate across borders? Mexico’s 2009 outbreak of swine flu got me thinking about earlier experiences. At the moment I’m writing about a massive, highly controversial joint USMexican campaign against foot-and-mouth disease in the 1940s and 1950s, examining how the campaign was shaped by competing interest groups, from presidents and peasants, to scientists and newspapermen. The campaign has largely been forgotten, but I think it tells us a lot about the limits of US power during the Cold War, the strength of popular resistance to authoritarianism in Mexico, and the fraught relationship between science and public policy.
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THE UCL HISTORY ADVANTAGE 1-1 support offered to all students (tutorials, supervision & feedback sessions)
2 student common rooms 3 of the UK’s biggest humanities libraries are within 5 minutes walk away TH UCL is the 5 best university in the world (QS 2014)
The History Department is consistently ranked among the top in the UK
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7 postgraduate taught MA degree programmes
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Study Abroad links with universities (including Pennsylvania University & the Sorbonne)
21 Professors (including Emeriti) More than 60 research staff in the department
Our Cumberland Lodge conference for years has been running for years
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93% of History students are in work or further study within 6 months of graduation The department is almost 190 years old You can study 5,000 years of history here!
Department of History, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT Email: history.office@ucl.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 1340 Web: www.ucl.ac.uk/history
/UCLHistory @UCLHistory