Overview

History is first and foremost about people, the forces that shaped their lives and the ways in which they changed their societies. Studying history makes us aware that our world today took on its current appearance less by chance than as a result of specific developments and decisions taken in the past. 

Are you curious about how the modern world came to be? Would you like to find out how past events have shaped our contemporary global world?  If so, the BA History is the programme for you. It is an innovative degree that gives coherence and depth to your learning and opportunities to develop key skills for employment.

The BA History is a four-year degree that offers you choice and flexibility in what and how you study:

  • It enables you to combine your study of History (your ‘major’) with two other subjects (your ‘minors’) that complement your major: choose from minors in Journalism and Global Media, Globalisation Studies, Political and Sociological Studies, Economics and Public Policy, Philosophy, French, Italian and German.
  • In your third year, you will have the opportunity to compete for work placements, study abroad programmes and further on-campus special studies.
  • The BA History prepares students for careers in the public and private sectors, including international development, the diplomatic and civil service, NGOs, journalism, publishing, marketing and media, the heritage industry, and education.

Visit NUI Galway's Courses Page for information on entry requirements and how to apply. Click here for information on the programme structure, content and assessment.

To find out more, please contact Dr Gearóid Barry, Programme Director (gearoid.barry@universityofgalway.ie)

First Year BA (History)

BA History Programme First Year Handbook 2023-24

On arrival in first year, BA History students select History as their core subject (major) and choose two other subjects (minors) to start on a learning ‘pathway’ for their degree.

‌Pathway One
Historical Studies

‌Pathway Two
History and Globalisation Studies

‌Pathway Three
History, Politics and Philosophy

Pathway 4
History (joint honours)

History (major) History (major) History (major) History (major)

PLUS TWO of the following:
Journalism and Global Media, Political and Sociological Studies, Philosophy, Economics and Public Policy, French, Italian, German (minors)

PLUS Globalisation Studies
and ONE of the following: Economics and Public Policy, French or Italian (minors) 

PLUS Political Science, Sociology and Policy AND
Philosophy

PLUS TWO other subjects from the Arts subject groupings
In second year, students will continue with History (major) and the other two subjects (minors) In second year, students will continue with History (major), Globalisation Studies (minor), and Economics and Public Policy OR French OR Italian (minor)

In second year, students will continue with History (major), Political Science, Sociology and Policy and Philosophy (minors)

In second year, students will continue with History and one of their other first year subjects (double major)

Second Year BA (History)

BA History Pathways Programme

Second Year

In second year, students continue on one of these degree pathways:

  1. Historical Studies
  2. History and Globalisation Studies
  3. History, Politics and Philosophy
  4. History (joint-honours)

For information on pathways, subjects and modules, your first port of call should be the BA History Pathways Handbook for Second Year. You can download the handbook here: BA History Programme Second Year Handbook 2023-4. Please read it carefully.

You can find the History Timetable for students here: 2BA History PATHWAYS Timetable 2324

 Remember:

  • Your pathway depends on what subjects you studied with History in first year.
  • Journalism and Global Media, Political and Sociological Studies, Economics, Philosophy, French, Italian and German can be studied as majors or minors with History (if you are on Pathway 1, 3 or 4)
  • Globalisation Studies can only be studied as a Minor with History (if you are on Pathway 2)
  • Other subjects can be taken as Majors with History (if you are on Pathway 4)

Year

ECTS

Pathway 1

Historical Studies

Pathway 2

History and Globalisation Studies

Pathway 3

History, Politics and Philosophy

Pathway 4

History (joint- honours)

Year 2

30 ECTS

 

15 ECTS x 2

Major: History

 

Minors: Two other subjects taken in first year (ie. Journalism and Global Media; Politics, Sociology and Policy; Philosophy; Economics and Public Policy; French; Italian, German. [1])

Major: History

 

Minors: Globalisation Studies AND Economics and Public Policy/French/ Italian

Major: History

 

Minors: Political Science, Sociology and Policy AND

Philosophy

Major: History

 

Major: One of the other subjects taken in first year (also 30 ECTS)

 

[1] Italian and Philosophy cannot be taken together as Minors.

Third Year History BA (History)

 

Third Year: BA History Pathways

Looking ahead to the Third Year from Second Year….

 

In third year, as a BA History Pathway student, you can apply for the Study Abroad programme (for the academic year or possibly for a semester), do a major History Research Project or Projects, or a Work Placement.

You will be required to apply for these options early in your second year. You will have the opportunity to discuss them with the Programme Director, and the Department of History must formally approve your plans for the year.

You can find preliminary information about the Study Abroad programme at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/international-students/outbounduniversityofgalway/

For preliminary information on Work Placements, see https://www.universityofgalway.ie/career-developmentcentre/workbasedlearning/studentplacement/

If you have preliminary questions, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Gearoid Barry (gearoid.barry@universityofgalway.ie)

 

For students now in their Third Year of BA History Pathways…

Students who are now in their Third Year should register for modules below that correspond with the choices they agreed with the programme director at the end of the previous academic year.

The relevant module codes and titles are given below.

Be sure to register for the right module in the right semester!

Additional guidance about the Independent Research Module (relevant codes below) will be provided by means of the modules’ Canvas site including details of stages, requirements and semi-regular in-person meetings relating to it.

 

Watch the Canvas site and any email communication from the Programme Director about this!

Codes and titles of modules for 3rd year are:

HI3188 – Study Abroad – Semester 1

HI3189 – Study Abroad – Semester 2

HI3190 – Work Placement – Semester 1

HI3191 – Work Placement – Semester 2

HI3192 – Independent Research Project – Semester 1

HI3193 – Independent Research Project – Semester 2

 

Again, if you have questions, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Gearoid Barry (gearoid.barry@universityofgalway.ie)