BA

History and TESOL

BA History and TESOL Code V103 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

V103

  • UCAS Tariff

    120 - 96

  • Course duration

    3 years

Further details on entry requirements

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Our Single Honours BA in History and TESOL at Aberystwyth University offers the opportunity to study a varied and comprehensive curriculum of history over a long sweep of chronological time in combination with a thorough introduction to the discipline of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

You will study history from the medieval period through to the late modern world, and in a variety of different forms of historical inquiry - from social and political to economic and cultural history. You will learn the skills that are needed by historians, such as assessing primary sources, mastering secondary works and formulating historical analyses of past societies, whilst developing a variety of communication skills which will complement the TESOL components of the scheme and help prepare you to teach English to speakers of other languages.

In the summer of your second year the optional Teaching Practice unit hones these practical skills and leads to the award of the Certificate in TESOL. This exciting additional opportunity means that, even before you graduate, you could gain the professional qualification needed to secure your first TESOL job.

If you think this is the course for you, come to Aberystwyth University and let your adventure begin.

Course Overview

Why study BA History and TESOL at Aberystwyth University?

  • Aberystwyth is a small town with a big heart and a cosmopolitan outlook. As a vibrant and friendly University, we attract students from all corners of the world, and the intimate atmosphere makes it a great place to get to know people.
  • History has been taught in Aberystwyth since 1872, making the Department of History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University the oldest in Wales and one of the foremost in Britain.
  • Teaching in the Department of History and Welsh History is innovative, research-based and designed to develop your transferable skills in areas such as analysis, interpretation and communication, which prepares you for a wide range of careers.
  • While pursuing your passion for history, you will simultaneously open up the world of TESOL (also known as TEFL) and the opportunities for international travel that a TESOL career affords.
  • Once you get the first two English teaching modules under your belt, you will have the option to take a standalone International English Centre summer course after your second year. This will lead to a separate professional qualification – the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - in addition to your degree.
  • As part of your degree, you will have the opportunity to study abroad at a partner university, to undertake work placements and to plan for your future career.  Find out more on our Global Opportunities pages.
  • You will benefit from our unique collaborative relationship with Aberystwyth Arts Centre – an on-campus facility that is an excellent resource for staff and students alike – as well as unlimited access to the National Library of Wales (one of the UK’s five copyright libraries).
  • You can be confident that whatever career path you choose after graduation, this course will set you up for a successful future.
Our Staff

Staff in the Department of History and Welsh History are active researchers and experts in their field of History. Most are qualified to PhD level and hold PGCHE. To find out more about our staff, please visit our departmental staff page.

Careers

With a degree in History and TESOL you will be well-placed to apply for further study, or to secure a job as soon as you graduate. Whatever you decide, there will be plenty of opportunities for you.

Our graduates have been successful in securing professions in many different fields, including:

  • Education
  • academic scholarship and research
  • archive curation and management
  • law
  • publishing
  • national, regional and local politics
  • the Civil Service
  • the Police
  • the armed forces
  • media and the creative industries
  • business and entrepreneurship.

What skills will I acquire from this degree?

Employability is embedded into this degree scheme and you will graduate with a range of skills and experiences that are transferable to a variety of workplace contexts. The TESOL element of the course provides a clear career path and also enhances your chances of progressing to Initial Teacher Training.

Over the course of your degree you will develop an extensive knowledge of the history of societies in different parts of the world, and from the early medieval era through to the late modern period, with attention to social political, economic and other contexts. You will graduate with a thorough understanding of the systems of the English language alongside approaches to, and techniques for, teaching English to speakers of other languages. Throughout the course you will engage in problem-based and hands-on learning focused on real-world scenarios and simulations, enabling you to develop collaborative, leadership, and team-building skills essential to a plethora of employment settings.

A broad range of themes are taught and you will discover new and interesting ways to analyse and understand the past and the ways in which people have written about it. You will graduate with important competencies such as research, analysis, fact checking and written and oral communication. In addition to this, you will build proficiency in English teaching and gain a better understanding of the relationship between language and culture, allowing you to grow professionally and opening up a wealth of employment opportunities for you.

Whatever you decide for the future, the breadth of this course will enhance your career prospects.

What work experience opportunities will be on offer while I study?

Discover more about the various employment opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers Service



Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

The breakdown below provides you with an illustration of what you may study during this three-year degree scheme.

In each year you will take a small number of core modules that focus on the practical and theoretical aspects of the course. You will also choose from a wide variety of optional modules according to your personal interests and strengths.

In your first year, you will study an Introduction to History, 'Hands on' History, and Language Awareness for TESOL. You will also choose from a selection of optional modules, which may include:

  • Concwest, Uno a Hunaniaeth
  • Medieval and Early Modern Britain and Europe
  • Ewrop a'r Byd, 1000-2000
  • Cymdeithas, Pobl a Gwleidyddiaeth
  • Europe and the World
  • People, Power and Identity: Wales 1200-1999.

In your second year you will study Making History, and Approaches, methods, and teaching techniques in TESOL. Optional modules may include:

  • Stori yr Unol Daleithiau
  • Cymdeithas Cymru Fodern
  • The Tudors
  • Famine in Medieval England
  • Asian Migration in the Modern World
  • The Rise of Modern Medicine
  • Media and Society in 20th Century Britain
  • Concro'r Byd: Twf a Chwymp Ymerodraethau Prydain a Ffrainc
  • Trosedd, Terfysg a Moesoldeb yng Nghymru 1750-1850
  • European Society and the Medieval Mind 1200-1500
  • From the Second Empire to the Third Reich: Weimar Germany 1914-1933
  • Science, Religion and Magic
  • The Atlantic World, 1492-1825
  • Gwrando ar Hanes
  • Crime and Daily Life
  • Writing about war in high medieval Scandinavia
  • Dread and Despair? Living with Disability in the Middle Ages
  • Image Wars in Southeast Asia
  • Exploring 19th Century Exhibitions.

In the summer following your second year, you can choose to take a week-long Teaching Practice Summer School to gain practical experience of Teaching Speakers of English as a Second Language (TESOL) and the qualification you will need to begin teaching in this area.

In your final year, you will work towards your Dissertation, and study Materials Development, and the Application of Technologies. You will complete a final core TESOL module: TESOL Materials Development & Technologies. In addition, you will follow a number of Special Subjects that include Milwyr, Myfyrwyr a Manachwyr; The Norwegian Civil Wars; The English Reformation; The Irish in Britain, c.1815-70; and The Third Reich.

You will also choose from a selection of optional modules that may include:

  • Stori yr Unol Daleithiau
  • Cymdeithas Cymru Fodern
  • The Tudors
  • Famine in Medieval England
  • Asian Migration in the Modern World
  • The Rise of Modern Medicine
  • Media and Society.

How will I be taught?

This degree is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. We also encourage self-directed learning designed to stimulate your academic interest in all aspects History and TESOL and nurture your personal and intellectual development.

The core modules in your final year are the perfect culmination to your studies as they allow you to undertake an independent research project supervised by a subject specialist, as well as extending your knowledge of TESOL. For example, the Dissertation allows you to work on a topic of your choosing. These modules are excellent preparation for further study.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through essays, exams, and oral presentations, portfolios of creative work, and designs for learning. You will also be required to complete non-assessed assignments for formative feedback and you will work with others on assessed and non-assessed tasks.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 120 - 96

A Levels BBB-CCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-26

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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