COURSE OVERVIEW
- Classical Studies achieved 100% overall satisfaction as rated by final-year undergraduate students in the 2019, 2020, and 2021 National Student Surveys.
- Develop critical yet empathetic appreciation of different cultures and worldviews and reflect on the presence of the classical past in the here and now.
- Encounter a range of exciting topics delivered by experts in their fields, from the Minoans and the Bronze Age, Classical Mythology, Roman Sport and Leisure, and the Classical inheritance of the twenty-first century (options are subject to change).
- Expand your horizons with opportunities to take selected modules from our sister programmes in History and Archaeology.
- Become part of our tight-knit, friendly Classical Studies community. Enjoy trips and talks with the student-led History Society and attend film screenings and book discussions with students from across related programmes.
Our BA in Classical Studies blends study of history, literature, drama, mythology, archaeology, art and architecture to provide a holistic approach to the cultural and intellectual histories and legacies of ancient Greece and Rome. We offer an exciting range of modules led by experts in their fields, which may cover topics such as Gender and Sexuality, Greek Tragedy, Alexander the Great, Roman Games and Gladiators, and the Pax Romana.
In your first year of study, introductory modules in archaeology, history, literature, and mythology establish a framework of the classical world on which subsequent years are built. In years 2 and 3, you choose from a range of more specialised modules covering archaeology, literature and culture, and history. There may also be opportunities to undertake a volunteer placement, take part in a week-long fieldtrip to sites relevant to the classical world, or attend one of the undergraduate summer schools led by the British School of Athens or Rome. There is no Classical languages requirement for our degree, and there is no expectation that you have studied Classical Civilisation or Ancient History at GCSE or A Level.
When top employers look for culturally literate and engaged graduates, Winchester’s Classical Studies students cannot fail to shine. Our graduates are valued in a wide variety of occupations including education, the civil service, local government, and museums and heritage. Others teach or write for television, film and radio. Many also pursue postgraduate degrees, and often study MA degrees in related subjects, such as classical archaeology, ancient history, Latin or Greek languages and literature, and classical reception.
Careers
Graduates work in a wide range of careers within the civil service, local government and social services, business and retail management, law enforcement and the armed forces.
The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment and further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.
Pre-approved for a Masters
If you study a Bachelor Honours degrees with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Suitable for applicants from:
UK, EU, World
Field trips
Students have the opportunity to undertake field trips, for example to Fishbourne Roman Palace, and placements, for example, to art galleries and the British Museum.
Study abroad
Our BA (Hons) Classical Studies course provides an opportunity for you to study abroad in the United States of America. For more information see our Study Abroad section.
Learning and teaching
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc., you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Independent learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.
While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 216 hours
Independent learning: 984 hours
Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 192 hours
Independent learning: 1008 hours
Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 216 hours
Independent learning: 960 hours
Placement: 24 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
Students become part of a community of students and scholars. All academics pride themselves on the quality of their teaching and their commitment to tapping and developing students' academic potential. Every effort is made to ensure that staff are available to students should advice be required and believe ourselves to be approachable and accessible.
Teaching is student-centred and designed to develop increasingly independent learners as students progress through the three or four years of the degree. A broad foundation at the start of the course sets out the chronology and civilisation of the Classical world and introduces students to the relevant disciplines to study it - art, archaeology, architecture, drama, history, literature and philosophy. These themes are developed thereafter in Year 2, which also explores the legacy of the Classics, and are studied more intensively during Year 3 and 4.
In Year 1, the majority of learning and teaching is delivered through lectures although there are many group discussions and small group learning. During the programme, the emphasis is increasingly placed on the exploration, development and communication of students' own views in seminars and tutorials.
All Classical Studies students are encouraged to take the Winchester Passport. The Winchester Passport rewards students for taking part in activities which develop employability skills. Students typically undertake volunteering or a targeted work placement tailored to student interests.
Key features of the student experience are:
- The opportunity to undertake the University of Winchester's Research Apprenticeship Programme (WRAP) which engages students in work with academics on a genuine research project (e.g. categorising inscriptions), so that they engage first-hand in cutting-edge scholarly activity and build vital transferable skills for the future
- Established exchanges with partner institutions in the USA and Europe
- Field trips to enhance student's knowledge and understanding with practical experiences
- Variety of work and volunteer placements to both national and local institutions
Location
Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.
Teaching hours
All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used can be found by attending an Open Day.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
Year 1 (Level 4)*:
96% coursework
0% written exams
4% practical exams
Year 2 (Level 5)*:
60% coursework
28% written exams
12% practical exams
Year 3 (Level 6)*:
54% coursework
32% written exams
14% practical exams
*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
2024 Entry: 104-120 UCAS tariff points
Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:
- A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
- BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
- International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
- T Level: Merit in a T Level
In addition to the above, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.
If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:
- IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
- We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT.
If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.
Course enquiries and applications
Telephone: +44 (0) 1962 827234
Send us a message
International students
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1962 827023
Visit us
Explore our campus and find out more about studying at Winchester by coming to one of our Open Days.
Year 1 (Level 4)
Modules Credits
| Case Studies I: Sources and Approaches to History | 15 | |
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This module introduces students to the core skills required to study history successfully at degree level. History makes sense of the past by analysing surviving evidence. Such evidence is either secondary, which requires in-depth critical reading, or primary or original, which demands critical contextualisation and analysis. All such evidence has uses to the historian, not necessarily obvious, and all contains partiality, which historians are trained to overcome. Working in small groups with one staff member per group, there will be a balance between developing awareness of these overarching core skills (such as conducting research and mastering referencing conventions) and a case study where students work on academic reading connected to a particular topic. This intensive small group environment will help students adjust to the university environment and provide a venue for delivering other transitional and transferrable skills. |
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| Case Studies II: Independent Study Project | 15 | |
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This module builds upon Sources & Approaches in History, further developing students’ skills as independent researchers, and giving students an opportunity to do research of a critical nature, using both primary and secondary sources. Continuing to work in the same Case Study groups and topic as they did in Sources & Approaches, students undertake an individual research project, on a topic negotiated with a tutor. In addition, there will be an element of group work as students combine their individual findings, presenting on a subtopic of the module’s overarching theme. As this module concentrates upon developing skills there is an emphasis on training for future employment. Students will be expected to engage with careers service activities in semester 2 and to report their activities in a reflective blog. |
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| Introduction to the Classical Greek World | 15 | |
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This course presents an introduction to, and an examination of, life in classical Greece. Focussing on ancient Athens, where possible, we shall review the city’s rise to power and how that success was complemented by Athens’ emergence as a key site of great art and culture in the ancient world. Why Athens, of all cities? To try and answer that question we shall also consider the broader social and cultural forces that helped to shape the classical city. This is a foundational module that seeks to connect the different parts of life in the ancient Athens, even as it introduces students to the knowledge and skills required for future study of antiquity. |
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| Introduction to Classical Greek Literature | 15 | |
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This module provides the students with a general introduction to the main literary genres of the Classical Greek world. The timeframe considered is approximately from the eight century BC to the second century BC (from the Homeric epics to the literature of the Hellenistic and Imperial age). This survey of literary material can include epic poetry, lyric poetry, oratory, historiography, epigram, and other major literary genres. The goal is for students to become familiar with the different forms of literature found in Classical Greek sources and to be able to identify the distinguishing elements of each literary genre. At the same time, this module provides the students with an opportunity to become familiar with the best-known practitioners of each literary genre in ancient Greece. The module may also make forays into how these literary forms influenced later writing in the Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and modern world. |
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| Introduction to Classical Archaeology | 15 | |
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The module will introduce the study of classical archaeology, and the methodologies and approaches that distinguish it from classical history and other branches of classical studies. It is thematically based, covering topics such as social structure, economics, urbanism, religion and military affairs. Material culture, such as weapons, coins, pottery, villas, fortifications, etc., will be explored, and the contribution it makes to classical archaeology assessed. |
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| Introduction to the Classical Roman World | 15 | |
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The study of Roman civilisation is the historical and cultural study of a wealth of events, individuals, cultures, monuments, landscapes, and sources of evidence. This module is an introduction to the Romans in Britain, beginning with pre-Roman settlement and culture. We will examine ancient sources carefully, both written and material; the course will cover the basic historical outline of the earliest Roman interest and invasion of Britain with Julius Caesar, through settlement and Romanisation, until the withdraw of Roman troops in the early fifth century. In addition to the historical and political impact of the Romans, this module will also consider the cultural aspects of everyday life, women in the province, settlement and building projects, and the impact of Romanisation on the local cultures as well as the Romans living there themselves. |
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| Introduction to Classical Roman Literature | 15 | |
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This module provides the students with a general introduction to the main literary genres of the Classical Roman world. The timeframe considered is approximately from the third century BC to the fifth century AD (from the beginnings of Roman literature with Livius Andronicus to the literature of the Imperial age). This survey of literary material can include epic poetry, elegy, oratory, historiography, epigram, satire, and other major literary genres. The goal is for students to become familiar with the different forms of literature found in Classical Roman sources and to be able to identify the distinguishing elements of each literary genre. At the same time, this module provides the students with an opportunity to become familiar with the best-known practitioners of each literary genre in ancient Rome. The module may also make forays into how these literary forms influenced later writing in the Medieval, Renaissance, and modern world. |
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| Introduction to Classical Theatre | 15 | |
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This module examines and explores the origins and development of the main theatrical genres (tragedy, comedy and satyr drama) in Classical Athens. It discusses the origins of theatrical performative practices in ancient Greece and its relationship with the cult of the god Dionysus. Attention will be devoted to the religious aspects of the festivals within which the plays were performed and their competitive context. Furthermore, the module discusses and analyses the involvement of theatre with the political context of the Athenian polis in the fifth century BC. The wider role of theatre in society will be keenly emphasised, by looking at the extent to which theatre functioned as a form of political and ethical debate. Finally, the module considers the relationship between theatre and other literary genres, as well as the impact that Classical theatre had on later ages. |
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Year 2 (Level 5)
Modules Credits
| Reading Epic | 15 | |
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Epic poetry had a pivotal role in the cultural, social, and political life of antiquity, and has had an enduring impact on the world’s cultural discourse across the ages. Students will read passages from the major Greek and Roman epic poems and follow some of the most widespread epic themes in their journey from the Bronze Age through the Roman Imperial era and on to the twenty-first century. Students will identify and discuss elements of continuity and innovation in the tradition, and focus on how epic literature was created, performed, and adapted in different contexts in order to create different national identities in antiquity, from archaic Greece to Imperial Rome. Furthermore, students may also consider various aspects of the reception of ancient epic through selected case studies. |
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| Practising History | 15 | |
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This module considers the planning and preparation of research and the methods and skills used, with particular reference to – but not sole consideration of – the dissertation. A wide range of historical approaches and methods are assessed, including use of local and national archives, databases and online sources, media and newspapers, visual images, standing remains, landscape and the material environment, public history, oral sources and scientific data. Ethics in historical research are also examined. |
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| Optional Modules | ||
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Classical Studies Optional Modules:
Other Optional Modules:
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Optional Credits
| Reading Epic | 15 | |
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Epic poetry had a pivotal role in the cultural, social, and political life of antiquity, and has had an enduring impact on the world’s cultural discourse across the ages. Students will read passages from the major Greek and Roman epic poems and follow some of the most widespread epic themes in their journey from the Bronze Age through the Roman Imperial era and on to the twenty-first century. Students will identify and discuss elements of continuity and innovation in the tradition, and focus on how epic literature was created, performed, and adapted in different contexts in order to create different national identities in antiquity, from archaic Greece to Imperial Rome. Furthermore, students may also consider various aspects of the reception of ancient epic through selected case studies. |
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| Practising History | 15 | |
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This module considers the planning and preparation of research and the methods and skills used, with particular reference to – but not sole consideration of – the dissertation. A wide range of historical approaches and methods are assessed, including use of local and national archives, databases and online sources, media and newspapers, visual images, standing remains, landscape and the material environment, public history, oral sources and scientific data. Ethics in historical research are also examined. |
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| Optional Modules | ||
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Classical Studies Optional Modules:
Other Optional Modules:
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Year 3 (Level 6)
Modules Credits
| Dissertation | 30 | |
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The Dissertation (Extended Independent Study) is an 8,000 -10,000 thesis on a subject of a student’s choice. It makes an original contribution to historical knowledge and understanding. It demonstrates an advanced capacity to work as a historian and to employ the conventions of a historian. Students must produce by due deadlines a proposal acceptable to internal scrutineers, evidence of substantial progress by the end of the first module as part of the assessment for the Research Methods module, and a record of supervision completed by the supervisor with the Dissertation. |
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| Writing History | 15 | |
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This module is taught through small seminar groups only. In these groups, students will be able to explore the nature of historical research and historical debate through reflection on their own dissertation and the sharing of best practice with other students. It will allow a more supportive learning environment whilst ensuring a more active engagement with individual research. |
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| History and the Public Sphere | 15 | |
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This module asks students to critically engage with the dual meaning of ‘public history’: how the past is represented to the wider public and how historians can contribute to a range of contemporary conversations. It considers how history is communicated and consumed by the general public outside academe through such institutions as museums, archives and heritage sites, as well as in television, film, and the wider media. It will investigate the various reasons why history has been co-opted for politics, education, entertainment and profit, and whether this amounts to a distortion of the past. Finally, students will be asked to consider how their studies can contribute to the field of public history. In doing so, students will develop a more nuanced understanding of both popular and academic approaches to the past and to consider the applicability of academic history to a variety of popular arenas. |
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| Optional Modules | ||
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Classical Studies Optional Modules:
Other Optional Modules:
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Optional Credits
| Dissertation | 30 | |
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The Dissertation (Extended Independent Study) is an 8,000 -10,000 thesis on a subject of a student’s choice. It makes an original contribution to historical knowledge and understanding. It demonstrates an advanced capacity to work as a historian and to employ the conventions of a historian. Students must produce by due deadlines a proposal acceptable to internal scrutineers, evidence of substantial progress by the end of the first module as part of the assessment for the Research Methods module, and a record of supervision completed by the supervisor with the Dissertation. |
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| Writing History | 15 | |
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This module is taught through small seminar groups only. In these groups, students will be able to explore the nature of historical research and historical debate through reflection on their own dissertation and the sharing of best practice with other students. It will allow a more supportive learning environment whilst ensuring a more active engagement with individual research. |
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| History and the Public Sphere | 15 | |
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This module asks students to critically engage with the dual meaning of ‘public history’: how the past is represented to the wider public and how historians can contribute to a range of contemporary conversations. It considers how history is communicated and consumed by the general public outside academe through such institutions as museums, archives and heritage sites, as well as in television, film, and the wider media. It will investigate the various reasons why history has been co-opted for politics, education, entertainment and profit, and whether this amounts to a distortion of the past. Finally, students will be asked to consider how their studies can contribute to the field of public history. In doing so, students will develop a more nuanced understanding of both popular and academic approaches to the past and to consider the applicability of academic history to a variety of popular arenas. |
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| Optional Modules | ||
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Classical Studies Optional Modules:
Other Optional Modules:
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Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing, for full-time students entering the programme in Year 1. Optional modules are listed where applicable. Please note the University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. For further information please refer to the terms and conditions at www.winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions.
The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed above.
Progression from one level of the programme to the next is subject to meeting the University’s academic regulations.
2024 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland |
International |
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|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 2 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 3 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Total | £27,750 | £50,100 |
| Optional Sandwich Year* | £1,850 | £3,340 |
| Total with Sandwich Year | £29,600 | £53,440 |
If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2024, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.
Remember, you don't have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year. If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.
UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.
International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £122.50 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.
* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year. To find out whether this course offers a sandwich year, please contact the programme leader for further information.
**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Mandatory
Printing and Binding
The University is pleased to offer our students a printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 125 A4 (black and white) pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing.
Optional
Core texts
Multiple copies of course material are held in the library or are available on-line. Some students might prefer to buy copies of texts for themselves with an approximate cost of £100 if bought new over the course of a year (but texts can often be purchased at considerably reduced rates second hand). Cost £100 per year.
Dissertation work
Students working on dissertations in Year 3 may incur costs (mainly travel) of visiting archives, dependent upon the specific nature of the dissertation and availability of online resources for a specific subject. This would typically involve either travel to a local archive (e.g. Southampton, Portsmouth or further afield if the student chooses to study a locality away from Winchester) or a national archive, usually in London (TNA, British Library, Women's Library, etc.). If the dissertation work is based in Winchester then costs will be far less.
Field Trip
Optional week long History Fieldtrip in Year 2 - costs vary depending on location and number of students going on the trip. Costs vary between £300-£700.
Placement
If students decide to complete an optional History Work/Volunteering Placement it may incur travel costs, which are dependent upon where the student undertakes the placement (if local it may be zero, but costs go up when public transport is used to travel). Students will have a say in where their placement is located. £0 - £300, dependent on location of placement and number of visits required.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards page.
Key course details
- UCAS code
- 48N3
- Duration
- 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
- Typical offer
- 104-120 points
- Location
- On campus, Winchester
Why Winchester
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