History and Economics (BA)
- Subject areas: Economics, History and ancient history
- UCAS code: VL11
- Next intake: September 2023
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Learn from the best
Benefit from expertise and support of research-active staff in a school with the highest possible score for research environment.
Study with passion
Explore interests with subjects ranging from slavery in America to Soviet and Japanese history.
Tailored to your interests
Specialise in industrial economics, economic history, labour economics or international economics.
State of the art trading room
Prepare yourself for trading and risk management in a controlled environment equipped with Investor Simulations, TRETS and Bloomberg.
Placement opportunities
Develop the skills, confidence and connections to accelerate your career.
Our history modules will develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural structures of past societies. Our expertise reaches an extraordinary breadth of societies, periods and places, spanning the British Isles, Europe (east and west), Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Our modules give you the opportunity to study both well-established areas, such as political, social, cultural and gender history, or explore areas that might be new to you, such as environmental history or digital history.
The Economics element provides you with an understanding of economic theory, in particular the organisational and managerial characteristics of the modern business enterprise. The programme aims to inform you of the main features of the UK industrial economy and the key developments in business. You will examine government and international business policy to identify their ramifications for the development of markets and firms. You will also be introduced to subject areas outside the economics discipline with the opportunity to follow modules in business finance, marketing and other aspects of management.
Our friendly academic staff will be on hand to guide you and provide full and constructive feedback throughout your studies. Bringing a wealth of expertise across different themes, periods and geographies, your lecturers will share latest thinking in the classroom, including their own cutting-edge research.
Subject area: Economics
Subject area: History and ancient history
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
AAB-ABB
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
We carefully consider your contextual data (the circumstances in which you've been studying) upon application. Where a grade range is advertised this reflects our typical standard and contextual offers. Eligible students will be given an offer at the lower end of the advertised grade range. Where there is no grade range advertised you will usually receive additional points in the selection process. Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
34-32 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
DDD-DDM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Humanities or Social Science subjects. We will consider BTECs in alternative subjects alongside other academic qualifications and any relevant work or volunteer experience.
T level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
- GCSE Maths grade B/6 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Interview or selection process
As per Cardiff University admissions policy. “Non-traditional” applicants (such as those returning to education via an Access course) might be interviewed for entry.
Tuition fees for 2023 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,000 | None |
| Year two | £9,000 | None |
| Year three | £9,000 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2023/24 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £20,450 | None |
| Year two | £20,450 | None |
| Year three | £20,450 | None |
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
You should be prepared to invest in some key texts and to cover the costs of basic printing and photocopying for you own use. You may also want to buy copies of other books, either because they are particularly important for your modules or because you find them particularly interesting.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
The BA History and Economics is structured in such a way that you will acquire over successive years high-level skills to become an independent and critical thinker, equipped for professional employment.
Through a blend of core and optional modules, you will study 60 credits of History modules and 60 credits of Economics modules in each year.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2023/2024 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2023.
Year one
Year 1 provides you with a graduated transition to studying history and economics at degree level, and offers instruction in the skills, techniques and arguments that you will use.
Our year 1 history modules are designed to equip you with the skills for advanced study and introduce you to historical themes and areas of study that you may not have encountered at A-level. Our 2 core modules introduce you to the different frameworks which underpin historical study and the different ways of writing history, while also allowing you to explore the big debates over how we understand ‘global’ connections and historical change to challenge how we think beyond set time periods and regional or national borders. Optional modules allow you to extend your historical knowledge and skills through a variety of periods and regions to lay the foundation for study in years 2 and 3.
In economics, you cover the essential material with compulsory modules in macroeconomics and microeconomics and applied statistics. A significant proportion of the modules included in the programme are taught by the business cchool’s economics section though there may be the opportunity to study modules taught by other sections of the business school.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Stats and Maths in Econ and Business | BS1501 | 20 credits |
| Microeconomics | BS1551 | 20 credits |
| Macroeconomics | BS1652 | 20 credits |
| History in Practice Part 1: Questions, Frameworks and Audiences. | HS1119 | 20 credits |
| Global Histories | HS6101 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The Making of The Modern World, 1750-1970 | HS1105 | 20 credits |
| Inventing a Nation: Politics, Culture and Heritage | HS1109 | 20 credits |
| Medieval Worlds, AD 500 -1500 | HS1112 | 20 credits |
| Renaissance, Reformation and Revolution | HS1117 | 20 credits |
| History in Practice Part 2: Sources, Evidence and Argument. | HS1120 | 20 credits |
Year two
Core modules in history introduce you to the key theoretical approaches and methods that have influenced historical writing. Optional modules allow you to explore themes across a narrower time range while encouraging a more comparative approach to history. In your second year, the emphasis shifts towards different approaches to history and different ways of using evidence. You also have the option to take modules which give you a deeper understanding of the kinds of evidence historians use, the ways of using that evidence, and the historian’s role in sharing research beyond the boundaries of academia and the voices they privilege or silence.
Economics modules will equip you with a thorough grounding in the theory, concepts, principles and techniques of the core subject areas of the discipline: macroeconomics, microeconomics and quantitative analysis. We will give you a firm foundation of knowledge of the workings of the UK economy and the ability to use that knowledge in a range of contexts. There is also a dedicated economic history module available.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Macroeconomic Theory | BS2549 | 20 credits |
| Microeconomic Theory | BS2550 | 20 credits |
| Making History: Historians, Evidence, Audiences | HS6202 | 20 credits |
Year three
We provide breadth and depth of interest with a range of economics options in your final year along with the opportunity to specialise. Some modules will have a quantitative element while others will be of a highly mathematical nature. There is also a dedicated economic history module available.
In history in your the final year, you are challenged to think more deeply about the nature of historical developments. You develop your skills at analysing sources and writing history through studying a range of specialist modules on offer.
You also have the opportunity to undertake independent research on a topic of your choice in either discipline, enabling you to focus on a particular area or period or to examine the interface between literature and history at greater depth, through a dissertation if you wish.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Research is central to the student experience at Cardiff and all our teaching is informed by the latest findings.
We offer a supportive learning environment, where you are enabled to acquire a range of skills and a wealth of specialist knowledge. You will learn through a wide range of teaching methods from interactive lectures, lively discussion-based seminars, and workshops to group work and tutorials. These on-campus activities will be blended with a range of online environments that will enhance your learning experience and enable you to extend your studies beyond the classroom. Seminars and workshops offer a rewarding experience to engage critically with the key ideas and reading on a topic. They provide a valuable opportunity to explore ideas and work closely with your lecturers and to learn from other students. In your second and third year, you have the opportunity to undertake a range of independent projects with the support of an expert in the field and one-to-one tuition.
Our teaching methods foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team working, independent research and time management in a supportive environment.
Welsh language teaching
History provides opportunities for learning and teaching through the medium of Welsh. Subject to staff availability, seminar teaching in Welsh is available on some or all of the core modules. Welsh language supervision is also available in Year Two and Year Three for longer projects and for dissertations. You may elect to write all or some of your assessed work and examinations in Welsh.
How will I be supported?
You will be supported by a number of different staff, some focusing on academic performance in a particular area and some looking at learning and progress more holistically.
You will be allocated personal tutors in both History and Economics, who will guide you for the duration of your studies. You will meet with your personal tutors regularly in groups and individually to reflect on your progress and development across your studies. Your personal tutors can also guide you towards appropriate support if you experience difficulties or require specific information about your time at Cardiff University.
Additional module-specific support is provided by seminar tutors, lecturers and/or module convenors; support for independent research projects is provided by an academic advisor who will meet with you regularly.
You will have access through the University virtual learning environment to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion boards.
Our undergraduate Education Support Teams provides academic and student support, and are there to provide information and guidance in response to any queries you may have.
The University offers a range of services including Student Futures to help you with your career planning, support services and events to help you manage your emotional, mental and physical health, support with financial issues and support for students with disabilities.
How will I be assessed?
Assessments include source criticisms, research projects, reviews, presentations, creative-critical portfolios and blog posts, alongside more traditional forms of assessment such as essays and tests/exams. Some of our assessments allow you to work collaboratively on a project, while others include writing and creating for different audiences; for example, you might be asked to design a museum exhibition or create a guide for using sources; and you may have the opportunity to create podcasts and digital texts for social media Long essays in History allow you to address fundamental historical questions or explore an historical issue or debate in more depth.
In all cases, our assessments are designed to support you in developing your ideas, skills and competencies. They help equip you with skills to link your knowledge to local, national and global issues, and encourage you to be innovative and creative; to find new ways to address problems or ask questions; to collaborate in solving problems and presenting findings; and to present evidence-based arguments. The skills developed and assessed throughout the programme prepare you for entry into a range of graduate careers. Individual and group feedback on assessments and other learning provides you with the opportunity to reflect on your current or recent level of attainment.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:
KU1: demonstrate a systematic awareness of economic theory, in particular the organisational and managerial characteristics of the modern business enterprise
KU2: demonstrate a critical understanding of the theory, concepts, principles and techniques of the core subject areas of the economics as a discipline: macroeconomics, microeconomics and quantitative analysis
KU3: understand the main features of the UK industrial economy and the key developments in business
KU4: engage critically and conceptually with the changing assumptions and methods that historians use to explain the past
KU5: demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of the complexity and diversity of situations, events, and mentalities in the past in a single country or in relation to a particular theme
KU6: demonstrate a critical awareness of the limits of disciplinary knowledge and the evolving nature of that knowledge and understanding
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:
IS1: identify the ramifications of government and international business policy for the development of markets and firms
IS2: utilise knowledge and appropriate skills and methods to identify and critically evaluate historical and cultural change
IS3: formulate and justify arguments about a range of historical issues, problems, and debates using historiographical ideas and methods
IS4: identify and locate appropriate primary sources, reflect upon their nature, and analyse them critically to address questions and solve problems
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:
PS1: identify, interpret and present relevant numerical information – to support the composition of projects reports and business cases
PS2: ask cogent and focused questions and pursue answers to these questions through structured enquiry, selecting and interrogating an appropriate range of evidence
PS3: summarise and critically appraise the relative merits and demerits of alternative views and interpretations and evaluate their significance
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:
TS1: demonstrate critical thinking, reasoning, and the ability to assimilate and summarise complex information and ideas though the independent selection and critical analysis of an appropriate range of evidence;
TS2: present complex findings and arguments clearly, concisely, and persuasively in a variety of formats;
TS3: show enterprise skills to solve problems and analyse diverse, partial or ambiguous evidence using critical thinking, initiative, and creativity
TS4: effectively communicate complex information and arguments, either individually or collaboratively as part of a team
Careers and placements
Career prospects
Degrees in history and economics progress into a wide range of careers using the skills gained throughout their degrees. Some choose to pursue professions making direct use of their discipline expertise, whilst others enter the public or private sectors. Popular employment sectors include: finance, publishing, law, journalism, advertising and marketing, culture and heritage, education, government, and other professional sectors. Some choose to undertake postgraduate study at Cardiff University or elsewhere, and some have become internationally reputed historians.
Our degree equips you with important skills which employers’ value from collaborative working and communicating with a wide range of audiences to critical thinking and finding new ways to address problems. Training and careers events are delivered in and out of the curriculum with a focus on developing skills while in university and articulating those skills successfully in future applications. We work closely with Student Futures who not only deliver training and workshops on our core modules, but also offer a wealth of opportunities. Beyond your formal studies we run programmes that provide you with opportunities to engage with local schools and communities or work with local heritage organisations to develop your own skills and profile whilst allowing you to make a difference.
Placements
We ensure that placements can be incorporated into your learning. Opportunities for diverse, bespoke placements are offered in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion on a Year Two module which focuses on translating the skills you gain through your degree into the workplace. In your final year, we offer the opportunity to take a module through which you can develop your enterprise skills, and which equips you with the skills to communicate and collaborate with external organizations. Staff also have close links with a range of local heritage and other organisations, which offer placement opportunities both in and outside semesters.
Through our links with the Student Futures, you can source placements and on-campus internships from 35 hours part-time placements to fit in around your studies to paid summer placements. In addition, Go Wales provides additional support to help you gain work experience.
Studying in Welsh
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
