Open University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This wide-ranging course will develop and deepen your knowledge of different periods of history from around 1500 to the late twentieth century. You’ll tackle such exciting and challenging issues as power and warfare, culture and beliefs, health and medicine, imperialism, race, class and gender. In doing so you'll learn the skills of the historian in studying historical materials; exploring how we understand, interpret and debate past events; and investigating a range of critical approaches. Key features of the course
- Explore a wide range of historical topics, periods and places
- Find out what it means to be a historian
- Have the opportunity to develop a project based on independent study
- Study using custom-made teaching materials
- Develop skills in research, analysis and communication that are beneficial to a wide range of careers
Modules
This degree has three stages, each comprising two modules. You’ll start Stage 1 with a broad introduction to the arts and humanities followed by beginning your study of history with a module focusing on revolutions. Stage 2 includes two compulsory modules: you’ll discover how historians seek to understand change and continuity within the society and culture of Europe between 1500 and 1780; and learn about the British Isles between 1789–1914, a period of rapid transformation. At Stage 3, we offer modules on the rise and fall of Empires since 1492 and on conflict and change in twentieth-century Europe. Alternatively, you can research an independent research project on an aspect of Welsh history of your choice. You can also choose to study one module in art history, classical studies or religious studies.
How to apply
To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
There are no qualification requirements for this course.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
2025/2026 academic year fees are not yet available.
Provider information
Open University
Student Recruitment Team
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ