Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History and English Language

at University of Hertfordshire - De Havilland Campus United Kingdom

Our BA History and Philosophy gives you the opportunity to study two subjects that will help you to make sense of the world around you.

Through our diverse and inclusive History curriculum you will learn about an array of cultures and identities.  What links our work is our focus on people’s history and everyday lives. This is represented strongly in our first year programme, which will give you an insight into the making of the modern world through exploration of beliefs, magic and medicine, campaigns for freedom and equality, Africa and the world, and America from Hamilton to Trump.

In your philosophy modules, you will be introduced to a variety of philosophical issues ranging from the nature of reality, knowledge and mind, to questions about how we should live, what we should value, and what would be the best way of organizing society.

Throughout your degree, the common link between the two disciplines will be the development of analytical skills. As historians you will learn to analyse historical documents and debates among historians, while in Philosophy you’ll assess the arguments of others, arriving at your own conclusions on deep, important issues. 

These analytical skills, honed over the course of your studies, will benefit you in the final year, if you choose to write a dissertation. This extended piece of work, available either in History or in Philosophy, will grow out of a topic that interests you. Previous students have been inspired by their year of study abroad. Others have worked on the history of jiu jitsu, women code breakers at Bletchley Park, the Notting Hill riots, and vice and sexuality in 17th-century London.  And Philosophy students have worked on the ethical issues of playing video games, the nature of the imagination, and environmental philosophy and the obligations of the state.

We give you: 

• An exceptional History team, conducting world-leading research (REF 2014), and a Philosophy team ranked in the 100 best Philosophy departments worldwide (2017 QS rankings). 
• Stimulating, innovative courses - History students reported almost 94% overall satisfaction with their course (2018 National Student Survey)
• A flexible programme of study, allowing you to concentrate on areas you find especially interesting and the scope to write a dissertation on a topic about which you are passionate
• The opportunity to expand your horizons by studying abroad at the end of your second year
• CV-building potential through work placements and extra-curricular activities

Social workers help people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems. To succeed, social workers must work not only with clients but their families and friends as well as working closely with other organisations including the police, National Health Service, and schools.

During our two-year MSc programme you will learn the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the social worker role. In your first year of study you will undertake modules which provide core knowledge about social work purpose, practice, and impact, human growth and development, and the policy and legislation which underpins practice. Additionally, you will learn the key methods, interventions, and skills for working with diverse communities and service users.

The second year of teaching builds on this to explore the research evidence and practice relating to a range of social work settings and collaborative and interprofessional working to assess and manage risks and vulnerability. The programme culminates in the writing of a dissertation on a topic area in which you are especially interested.

This academic learning is complemented by two placement blocks totalling 170 days in contrasting settings and 30 days of classroom-based skill development.

Why choose this course?

• Social work is a regulated profession. The MSc Social Work programme leads to eligibility to apply to the Social Work England Register and practice as a social worker in England;
• An emphasis on small group practice prepares you for practice in a modern multi-professional workforce;
• Interactive learning in and out of the classroom will help you to understand concepts fully;
• Academic teaching is supported by social work practitioners from the newly constituted Teaching Partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and the Tavistock and Portman Foundation Trust, service users, and carers enabling you to link theory to practice throughout the programme.
• A distinct feature of the programme is an emphasis on the development of knowledge and skills through reflective practice.

Perhaps you're interested in Criminal Justice and Criminology, but haven't found the course which feels right for you? Our Criminology and Criminal Justice programme offers cutting-edge modules such as Terrorism and Criminology, Policing and Society, Gender and Crime, War Crimes, Drugs, Crime and Criminology and Imprisonment and Justice, allowing you to explore a range of the most pressing social issues of today.

Throughout the degree, you will begin to understand that Criminology is the study of the anatomy of a crime, specifically its causes, consequences and costs. Criminal justice, on the other hand, refers to established systems for dealing with crime, specifically detection of crime, detaining of criminals, and criminal prosecution and punishment.

If you wish to pursue career opportunities in criminal justice, you will study the different components of criminal justice, and if you're interested in pursuing a career as a criminologist, you will study the behaviour patterns, backgrounds, and sociological trends of criminals.While both fields are different, criminologists and criminal justice professionals work together in the criminal justice system to thwart crime.

On the course, you will:

• Investigate the nature of crime and criminality and develop an understanding of the various issues, debates, and approaches within the criminal justice system and criminology 
• Engage with a range of current issues and debates on some of the most pressing social issues, such as national security, drug policy and the sex trade
• Examine how and why offenders should be punished and explore how society defines and manages crime
• Be taught research-informed course content so that they develop the skills to carry out their own criminological research, together with a range of other transferable skills
• Engage with important Criminal Justice contacts – we have close professional relationships with the Hertfordshire Constabulary, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Herts Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (HACRO) and Answers Investigation
• Be taught by internationally-recognised experts in criminology and draw on their expertise in Criminal Justice Process, Criminology, and Academic skills in Criminology
• Learn the concepts, theories and methods they need to understand the realities of crime and control and the practical skills that will allow them to participate in the criminal justice process

At Hertfordshire Law School, we recognise that while you are studying with us, you will want to develop professionally and increase your confidence. That's why we offer a range of co-curricular activities, including; Debating, Forensic Psychology, and Restorative Justice to help you improve the skills needed for a great career in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

We want to give you the best possible start to your career! We offer a broad range of careers events throughout the year, including speed careers networking, and guest speakers from a wide range of employers. It's no wonder 93.8% of Hertfordshire Law School graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.*

Our Criminology degree is also significantly enhanced by expert research-informed and practitioner-led teaching to ensure you are academically supported. You'll also be part of a community which offers significant pastoral and careers support along the way, thanks to our dedicated student support tutors, cohort tutors and programme leaders, student mentors and careers tutors.

Nurses are the largest profession working in mental health services. With a quarter of the population thought to have some form of mental health issues, it's clear that nurses have an essential role in supporting people. As a mental health nurse, you’ll have the vital and challenging role of establishing therapeutic relationships with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups. This pre-registration course gives you the essential skills to make evidence-based interventions and provide care, while respecting and valuing the aspirations of individuals with mental health challenges.

As with our other nursing courses, you’ll spend half your time on placements in clinical settings, putting what you’ve learned into practice.

Mental Health nurses have a vital and challenging role in establishing therapeutic relationships with individuals who experience mental health problems.

These include

• Providing support to families, relatives and carers
• Responding to changing needs
• Promoting mental and physical health recovery and general wellbeing

This highly specialised branch of nursing focuses on caring and supporting individuals of all age groups living with mental health problems in different care settings including:

• Individuals’ homes
• Inpatient
• Outpatient
• General hospitals
• Community and rehabilitation units

You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team including GPs psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, arts therapists and healthcare assistants.

100% of our Mental Health Nursing graduates went on to employment or further study within 6 months according to the latest national Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey.

Indicative course structure

Economics drives business, informs policy and affects everyone’s lives. With its applied business focus, this course emphasises the economic analysis of key business functions and the industrial structure of market economies and the global environment. It will give you a detailed understanding of the principles of economics and teach you how to apply these principles to support decision making. As well as developing an understanding of the nature of pricing, investment, employment and many other decisions businesses have to take, you’ll have the option to study modules in marketing, accounting finance and human resource management.

You can also study a language with this course. You can be awarded the degree ‘with language’ in the title if you choose to study a foreign language in all years of study. 

• To receive a broad intellectual learning experience by studying economic issues within the wider political and social environment;
• to develop a critical understanding of the principles of economic theory;
• for an appreciation of different approaches to economic problems and their relevance for real life circumstances; 
• to develop the ability to apply the theories of economics to a range of decision making problems in business;
• to become equipped with a set of subject specific and transferable skills needed to pursue a successful career.

One of a range of degrees from the taught Master's Programme at the Department of Computer Science

This course considers current research and practice in computer networks and systems security. You will develop technical expertise and practical skills in the design, management and evaluation of networks, and in the use of tools and techniques for systems security. This MSc can lead to a career such as a network system designer or administrator, or as a security consultant.

Graduates obtaining this award will be equipped to pursue research to PhD level, or to enter specialist employment in technically advanced and unpredictable working environments requiring sound judgment and the exercise of personal responsibility and initiative.

This course gives you a sound technological understanding in the field of electrical and electronic engineering. With access to modern engineering tools and a hi-tech laboratory environment, you’ll learn the latest skills and knowledge in digital signal processing, microelectronic and VLSI (very-large-scale integration) design practice, robotics and neural networks, power systems applications, and advanced power conversion and control application trends. The MEng extends your studies by a year, enabling you to develop more in-depth knowledge of the subject. As with the BEng, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to study abroad or work in industry for a year, boosting your CV and employment prospects.

• This MEng Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering will give you a sound technological background in the field of electrical and electronic engineering
• You will have access to modern engineering tools which will give you the advantage of experiencing a hi-tech laboratory environment
• Students from the School of Engineering and Technology have previously completed work placement years at companies including: Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Bosch Thermotechnology, and RP Aero Systems
• Recent Electrical Engineering graduates have gone on to work at organisations including: Leonardo, Mitsubishi Electric and Martin-Baker Aircraft Company

Paramedics are autonomous practitioners, who are often the first point of contact for a patient requiring emergency or urgent healthcare. They work in a variety of settings and deliver patient care in situations that can be complex and highly pressured. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to manage patients with illness or injury, including assessment and diagnostic skills through to treatment or referral to other healthcare professionals. The course has strong emphasis on high-quality care, taking into account rapid changes within the profession. A sound understanding of evidence-based practice and research is a fundamental part of your education. Your studies will be interspersed with practice placements, facilitated by local ambulance services.

• Your learning experience is constructed from 12 years of professional leadership in paramedic education and development, specifically designed to support your studies and enhance your work experience. 
• The BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree is the first nationally to integrate your full paramedic training to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration standards within a full-time degree programme.
• Your vocational placement will be either the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) or the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST).
• You will be eligible to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a qualified Paramedic on successful completion of this BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree, which significantly increases your employability opportunities.
• 100% of our Paramedic Science graduates went on to employment or further study within 6 months according to the latest national Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey.

This course gives you a firm understanding of key business functions and the basic principles of accounting and finance. You’ll learn about corporate reporting, auditing, corporate law and management accounting, as well as develop your general business and commercial awareness. You’ll study and research the key areas of financial accounting and corporate finance in great depth, and choose from a broad range of specialist modules. These cover topics such as financial strategy, taxation, Islamic banking and information systems. During the course, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad or take a work placement for a year.

This course offers exemptions from the professional examinations of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

• Developed in collaboration with ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA, our course gives you exemptions from professional exams, helping you qualify faster.
• Input from industry leaders and professional bodies adds real-world skills to academic theory, giving you the competitive edge.
• You’ll be taught by leading academics and innovative industry specialists with years of hands-on experience in commercial accounting.
• We’ll help you find a valuable work placement, developing sought-after skills either in the UK or overseas.
• You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad for part of your course, developing confidence, experience and practical language skills.

Studying Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at Hertfordshire will enable you to explore the connections and contradictions between thought and faith in the world today.

You may have taken Religious Studies at A-level or be fascinated by how religious belief is a driving force behind social and political events in today’s globalised world.

This degree course offers you the opportunity to explore the beliefs that guide people’s lives using the logical and critical skills gained through philosophical inquiry.

You’ll be taught by internationally regarded academics, who will help you understand how the practices of religion and philosophy have influenced – and been influenced by – the modern world. You’ll learn to address the arguments and beliefs of others and to engage with them, so that you can arrive at your own conclusions and create your own original work.

All our lecturers are active researchers, so you’ll share the excitement of doing original work in a supportive and highly-rated academic community. Our Philosophy team is in the top 15 in the Guardian League Table 2019 and rates as one of the 100 best Philosophy departments worldwide in the 2017 QS rankings.

In your first year you’ll take philosophy modules exploring ethics, mind, knowledge and reality alongside an introduction to four of the major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. This will be given a modern context through a module on religion and the contemporary world.

Seminars in your first year will explore how to investigate and discuss different beliefs and ideas and to develop your critical thinking, all within a respectful and empathetic environment.

In your second year you’ll study the philosophies of religion, and explore virtues, vices and ethics. Focusing on specific virtues such as forgiveness, hope or love from both a secular and religious point of view, you’ll examine what it means to live a good life.

Alongside options in your final year to explore religion and popular culture, as well as feminist and political philosophy, your dissertation will allow you to develop your particular interests, perhaps encompassing an exploration of some aspect of your own religious belief system.

• An exceptional academic team, conducting internationally renowned research
• A flexible programme of study, allowing you to concentrate on areas you find especially interesting
• The opportunity to write a dissertation on a topic about which you are passionate
• CV-building potential through extra-curricular activities