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Learn how the past has shaped the present with this exciting programme which explores international history from ancient to contemporary times. Based in the historic and vibrant city of London, you’ll have access to some of the world’s top museums and collections.
We offer an exceptionally wide range of international history courses covering different regions, such as modern China, the Caribbean, Russia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, locating them within themes of global significance and complementing our International Relations, Politics, Film and American Studies degree programmes which you can combine with your History major.
During the first year our students take World Cultural History, and later Myths and Monsters, to give them a strong grounding in traditional historical themes and concepts. As students progress onto the second year we ensure they can take modules of interest to them. We specialise in thematic social and cultural history courses, such as LGBT, propaganda, fashion, film, migration, black London, race and empire and witchcraft, rather than just traditional chronological and periodic history courses. We also focus on political power dynamics with courses such as “Comparative Monarchies: Games of Thrones”, “The Rise of the Right: a History of Fascism”, the Vikings, Race and Empire, “Islam and the West” and US Presidents.
At Richmond we encourage debate and discussion of past events and historical controversies, getting students to consider themes such as bias and to question the ‘grand narrative’ that so often ‘belongs to the victor’. Students not only ‘read’ history but they also get to apply what they have learned in a practical sense by conducting their own historical research projects, analysing primary sources, archival data and material objects, and collaborating with our external partners in museums, embassies, and the media in an array of exciting credited internship opportunities. By taking this holistic approach students develop a range of skills that are readily transferable to an array of postgraduate disciplines as well as to many occupations and careers.
Our internationally renowned professors are enthusiastic, approachable and use a variety of innovative teaching styles and materials, ranging from grime videos and historic walks to an analysis of the Cold War through James Bond films. There are also many opportunities to share your love of history with fellow students in our HIRPES (History, International Relations, Politics Education Society) history group. Possible planned visits for next year include trips to a nuclear air raid shelter, a gay-walking tour of Soho, or an immersive Viking experience in York. Whatever your interests are, we are sure you will feel enthused and engaged by studying history with us at Richmond.
Additionally you can take a semester or a year to study abroad to study history at one of our international partnership universities all over the world or at one of our own Italian campuses in either Rome or Florence. You will not pay more in terms of tuition and you don’t need to add extra time to your degree.
Top 5 Reasons to Study International History
3 Years pathway
Core Modules & Electives
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
|---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Fall Semester | Fall Semester |
World Cultural History | Evolution of International Systems | Senior Seminar I |
The Global Cold War | Myths and Monsters | Pictures of Power |
When Worlds Collide | Elective | Culture, Power & Empire |
Research & Writing I | Elective | Elective |
Creative Expression | Elective | Elective |
Spring Semester | Spring Semester | Spring Semester |
From Versailles to Vietnam | Nationalism & Conflict | Senior Seminar II |
Quantitative Reasoning | Rise of the Right | Migrations & Diasporas |
Research & Writing II | Rome & The East | History on Film |
Scientific Reasoning | Comparative Monarchies | Elective |
Elective | Elective | Elective |
4 Years pathway
Core Modules
CORE SUBJECTS |
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|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
World Cultural History | When Worlds Collide: Race and Empire c1400-1888 | Rise of the Right: A History of Fascisms | Pictures of Power: History, Image |
The Global Cold War | Versailles to Vietnam: US & the World | Nationalism And Conflict | History on Film |
Transitions I | Evolution of International Systems | Rome in the East: Culture & Faith in Late Antiquity | Culture, Power, and Empire |
Transitions II | Of Myths and Monsters: A History of History | Senior Seminar in History 1 |
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Quantitative Reasoning | Comparative Monarchies: Games of Thrones | Senior Seminar in History 2 |
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Scientific Reasoning | Migration and Diasporas |
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Creative Expression | |||
Research and Writing I | |||
Plus 2 QCF Level 3 Electives | |||
Electives
ELECTIVE MODULES |
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|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Plus two of the following: | Plus one of the following: | Plus 4 of the following OR Internship and 2 of the following: |
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Intro to Art Across Cultures | Power in the Americas | Non-Western Visual Culture |
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Introduction to Visual Culture | History of Design | New Media & Visual Power |
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Rich World/Poor World | The Renaissance: New Perspectives | Visualising People & Place |
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Modern Economic History | Art History: Theory and Practice | Questioning Renaissance Art |
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Introduction to Film Studies | Modern Art and Modernism | Postcolonial Theory and Development |
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History of Fashion | Art of Pre-Historic Europe | International Cinema |
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Major Political Thinkers | History of Photography | US History Since 1972 |
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Gender and Culture | Modern Popular Music | Island to Empire: British History from 1707-1922 |
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Research and Writing II | Mainstream Cinema: Studies in Genre | Visualising Enlightenment: Art, Ideas, Material Culture |
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Plus 4 FHEQ Level 4 Electives | History of London | World Internship in History (6 CREDITS) |
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US and UK Comparative History | Internship in History (6 CREDITS) |
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War of the Worlds?: Empire and Civilization | International Political Economy |
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Crusades and Jihads | Conflict and Peace Studies |
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Saxon and Viking Culture in England | Diplomatic Studies |
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Miracle to Meltdown: East & Southeast Asia | Liberty Justice Equality: Contemp Pol Th |
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Postcolonial Literatures | Citizenship: National and Global |
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Modern European Mind | Politics of Environmentalism |
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Political Economy: Capitalism and its Critics | Ethnicity and Identity |
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British Politics: Inside Parliament | Gender, Politics and Intl Relations |
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Politics of the Middle | Religion, Identity And Power |
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Politics Goes to Hollywood | Democracy and Democratization |
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Islam and the West | |||
Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa | |||
Russian Politics and History | |||
Modern China | |||
Religion, Magic and Witchcraft | |||
Plus 4 FHEQ Level 5 Electives | |||
A Level: 3 C’s or equivalent*
*All other equivalent eligible transfer credits will be determined by Admissions.
A Level: 96 UCAS points
US High School Diploma (or equivalent): 2.5 GPA minimum (on 4.0 scale)
International Baccalaureate: 24 IB points (year 1) BTEC National Diploma: MMM.
Completion of Year 12-13 International equivalent secondary school qualification with a minimum grade average of grade of C including mathematics and English
Qualification | Undergraduate | Validity Period |
IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 with 5.5 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | 2 Years |
TOEFL IBT | 72 with 17 Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 Writing, 20 Speaking | 2 Years |
Pearson Test of English | 51 with 51 in each component | 2 Years |
First, Advanced, Proficiency – taken after January 2015 | 162 overall (no less than 162 in each component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge First: Advantage, Proficiency – taken before January 2015 | Cambridge First: Grade B overall (No less than B in any component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge Advanced: Grade C (no less than C in any component) less than C in any component) | No Expiry |
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Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry |
You apply directly using the Common Application ($50.00) or the Richmond online Application. In order to submit your application you will need the following information
When to apply
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you are completing your undergraduate programme of study. In this case you will be offered a place that is conditional on successfully completing a specified qualification and English language qualification if applicable. If you would like your application to be considered for a Richmond bursary, an early application is strongly recommended
Application process
Admission is by interview unless you live outside the UK when we may interview you via Skype or by telephone. We may also determine your suitability on the basis of their application and qualifications alone. Find out more about applying.
3 year pathway
4 year pathway
Including one year at QCF Level 3
(subject to credit transfer)
Contact our admissions team for more details:
admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Please note: Non US students are eligible
“I attended Richmond through AIFS in 2013-14 and was amazed at the calibre of professors who were instructing my classes. The classes themselves were interesting and varied, but the professors really stand out in my experience. They helped me to hone in on my academic and professional writing which has benefited me to this day. They also pushed me to learn more and focus on areas of history that I found interesting and why I found them interesting. I discovered that the professors and their subject matter were unlike any at my home institution and truly enjoyed my time at Richmond because of them.”
“I studied abroad at Richmond in the spring of 2011 as a history student from the University of South Carolina. People often say that their time studying abroad is one of the best in their lives; in my case, I can genuinely say that my time at Richmond changed the course of my life. The supervision I received from the academic staff gave me the confidence to pursue history at a more advanced level.
Similarly, I enjoyed studying in London so much I was inspired to return for both a Masters and PhD. To this day I am still connected to Richmond through the mentorship of Prof Dominic Alessio, who has helped to guide me through a lot of major academic decisions and offered me the opportunity to publish with him. I owe my current life direction and many successes to the experience I had at Richmond all those years ago.”
“I studied the BA in History at Richmond from 2007 to 2011, after which I went on to further study as a graduate student at St Antony’s College, Oxford University, where I obtained a Master of Science degree in Russian and East European Studies.
Richmond provided me with broad knowledge and understanding of history and historical research methods, which has prepared me well for my current research position. I believe that the strength of Richmond’s history degree lies in the variety of the courses on offer and the excellence of the teaching. I learned a great deal from all of my tutors and during my studies I was not only motivated to improve my skills and acquire more knowledge, but also received good careers advice, as well as assistance with any academic issues.
I would advise any students to consider the history degree at Richmond as it will give them a chance to develop their their analytical skills and acquire knowledge in many different subjects, from which they will significantly benefit in today’s marketplace, in which employees need to be able to adapt and learn quickly. The greatest compliment that I can pay to Richmond is that the individual attention that I received often equalled and sometimes even exceeded what I got at Oxford. In the history programme at Richmond it is the personal touch that really makes a difference.
Currently, I am working as Research Assistant for Whitgift School’s upcoming WWI exhibition Remembering 1916: Life on the Western Front. My responsibility is to carry out all research on the wide range of WWI artefacts that will be displayed at the exhibition, as well to examine the historiography of the war, the perspectives of different nations, and any other pertinent subjects.”
“In 2007, I graduated from Richmond with my BA in History and went on to further study at the University System of Maryland’s Frostburg State University, (online platform), which I am pursuing to obtain my MBA. Richmond provided me with the resources and space to expand and stretch my capacity of understanding through history, diversity, and awareness. This is key to better appreciating and advancing the human condition.
Currently, I am the Director, Student Account Operations at the University of Virginia. Previously I was the Account Manager for WorldStrides- Capstone Programs based in Charlottesville, Virginia. My roles and responsibilities were to guide the complete management process of university’s international travel programs – from itinerary conception including business/educational meetings, cultural experiences, and risk management through to program execution.”
“Richmond’s International History programme offers an excellent assortment of both classical and contemporary studies, from Ancient Rome to the Cold War. With a close knit group of professors from various disciplines, every class is unique. I personally enjoy the small class sizes, that allow for greater interaction between students and professors.”
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