BA History

Overview

History is first and foremost about people, the forces that shaped their lives and the ways in which they changed their societies. Studying history makes us aware that our world today took on its current appearance less by chance than as a result of specific developments and decisions taken in the past.

Are you curious about how the modern world came to be? Would you like to find out how past events have shaped our contemporary global world? If so, the BA History (Pathways) is the programme for you. It is an innovative degree that gives coherence and depth to your learning and opportunities to develop key skills for employment.

The BA History Denominated (Pathways) is a four-year degree that offers you choice and flexibility in what and how you study:

It enables you to combine your study of History (your ‘major’) with two other subjects (your ‘minors’) that complement your major: choose from minors in Journalism and Global Media, Political and Sociological Studies, Economics and Public Policy, Philosophy, French, Italian and German.

In your third year, you will have the opportunity to compete for study abroad programmes, work placements and undertake independent research projects.
The BA History (Pathways) prepares students for careers in the public and private sectors, including international development, the diplomatic and civil service, NGOs, journalism, publishing, marketing, business and media, the heritage industry, and education.
In your second year, you will have the opportunity to take the module LIB2102 Using Archives and Special Collections in Research

Visit University of Galway's Courses Page for information on entry requirements and how to apply. Click here for information on the programme structure, content and assessment.

To find out more, please contact co-programme directors;

Dr Gearóid Barry, (gearoid.barry@universityofgalway.ie)

Dr Anita Rupprecht (anita.rupprecht@universityofgalway.ie)

First Year BA History (Pathways)

On arrival in first year, BA History students select History as their core subject (major) and choose two other subjects (minors) to start on a learning ‘pathway’ for their degree.

‌Pathway One Historical Studies 1BHS1	‌Pathway Two History, Politics and Philosophy 1BHP1	Pathway Three History (joint honours) 1BHD1
History (major)	History (major)	History (major)
PLUS TWO of the following: Journalism and Global Media, Political and Sociological Studies, Philosophy, Economics and Public Policy, French, Italian, German (minors)	PLUS Political Science, Sociology and Policy AND Philosophy	PLUS TWO other subjects from the Arts subject groupings
In second year, students will continue with History (major) and the other two subjects (minors)	In second year, students will continue with History (major), Political Science, Sociology and Policy and Philosophy (minors)	In second year, students will continue with History and one of their other first year subjects (double major)

Second Year BA (History)

BA History Pathways Programme

Second Year

In second year, students continue on one of these degree pathways:

Historical Studies
History, Politics and Philosophy
History (joint-honours)

For information on pathways, subjects and modules, your first port of call should be the AY24-25 BA History Pathways Handbook for Second Year. Please read it carefully.

Timetable: 2nd Yr Sem 1 2nd Year Sem 2

LIB2102 Module Description . All other relevant module descriptions can be found at this link.

Remember:

Your pathway depends on what subjects you studied with History in first year.
Journalism and Global Media, Political and Sociological Studies, Economics, Philosophy, French, Italian and German can be studied as majors or minors with History (if you are on Pathway 1 or 3)
Other subjects can be taken as Majors with History (if you are on Pathway 3)

Year

ECTS

Pathway 1

Historical Studies

2BHS1

Pathway 2

History, Politics and Philosophy

2BHP1

Pathway 3

History (joint- honours)

2BHD1

Year 2

30 ECTS

15 ECTS x 2

Major: History

Minors: Two other subjects taken in first year (ie. Journalism and Global Media; Politics, Sociology and Policy; Philosophy; Economics and Public Policy; French; Italian, German. [1])

Major: History

Minors: Political Science, Sociology and Policy AND

Philosophy

Major: History

Major: One of the other subjects taken in first year (also 30 ECTS)

[1] Italian and Philosophy cannot be taken together as Minors.

Third Year History BA (History)

Students who are now in their Third Year should register for modules below that correspond with the choices they agreed with the programme director at the end of the previous academic year.

The relevant module codes and titles are given below.

Be sure to register for the right module in the right semester!

Codes and titles of modules for 3rd year are:

HI3188 – Study Abroad – Semester 1

HI3189 – Study Abroad – Semester 2

HI3191 – Work Placement – Semester 2

HI3192 – Independent Research Project – Semester 1

HI3193 – Independent Research Project – Semester 2

Again, if you have questions, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Gearoid Barry (gearoid.barry@universityofgalway.ie)