ucl history brochure

LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY

THE LOWDOWN

CUMBERLAND LODGEWHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

CAREERS WITH A UCL HISTORY DEGREEADVICE FOR WRITING YOUR UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT

DON'T FORGET YOUR WOK!(AND OTHER USEFUL TIPS…)

B UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LONDON His tor y

/UCLHistory

@UCLHistory

The History department at UCL is one of the best in the world. Our lecturers are leading researchers in their fields, continually publishing important books and articles that shape the subject. They bring this research expertise into their teaching, which means that our students benefit from the latest in historical research. All the coursework essays you write will be returned to you in one-to-one tutorials, during which you will receive helpful advice on what you did well and what you could improve.

We’ve completely redeveloped our first year syllabus in order to aid transition into Higher Education. In your first year, core modules train you to work on a group project, and help you to acquire the writing skills needed to produce high quality essays at university level. But you also choose further modules from a wide range of options. The choices become greater still in the following years. In your last year of study, you research and write your own dissertation. The department offers modules in the history of Western Europe (including Britain), the history of the Americas, North and South and in the history of China, India, and Africa.

UCL’s History department is not just an intellectually stimulating place to be; we are also a friendly and supportive department, dedicated to helping our students make the most of the opportunities we offer.

I do hope you will join us.

Jason Peacey

PROF JASON PEACEY HEAD OF DEPARTMENT2015-2018

Histor y UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LONDON 1

INSIDE10 Reasons to Study History at UCL pg 2

About UCL pg 4

Careers pg 5

The History of History at UCL pg 6

Student Prospectus pg 7

Living in London pg 12

Pastoral Care and Settling In pg 13

Admissions pg 14

Writing a Personal Statement pg 15

Staff Views pg 16

OUR STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS

SHONA TAYLOR

WILL ROBERTS

GUS ALLEN

JAMES ASHCROFT

2 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LONDON His tor y

1. WE HAVE SMALL CLASS SIZES Youwillhaveone-to-onetutorialsinyourfirstterm,

andeverytimeanessayisreturnedtoyou.Youwillbetaughtingroupsof nomorethan15andsometimesassmallas4.

2. WE OFFER INNOVATIVE MODULES

We are opening up inventive ways of studying new andoldsubjects,frommagic,marriageandmonarchytoimperialism,nationalismandpopularpolitics.

3. WE HAVE A UNIQUE LOCATION Accommodationclosetowhereyouwillstudy–right

intheheartof London–andwithinwalkingdistanceof importantresourcesforhistorians,suchastheBritishLibraryandtheBritishMuseum.

4. YOU WILL BE TAUGHT BY LEADING HISTORIANS

UCLHistoryconsistentlyappearsinthetop5HistorydepartmentsintheUKforresearch.Manyof thepeoplewhowillteachyouaretheleadingfiguresintheirfield.Andunlikeinsomeotheruniversities,youwillbetaught–andyourworkwillbemarked–bythoseleadinghistorians.

5. WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO TEACHING

Allmembersof staff teachundergraduates,allourmodulesinvolvedirectcontactwithafacultymemberandourmodulesgetoverwhelminglypositivefeedbackfortheenergyandenthusiasmof teachers.

10


6. WE HAVE A TRULY INTERNATIONAL FEEL

Ourfacultyandstudentbodyisdrawnfromall overtheworld,fromnolessthan23countries!

7. WE HAVE AN UNMATCHED CHRONOLOGICAL RANGE

FromtheAncientNearEasttothepresentday,historyatUCLisnotjustmodernhistory,butthewholerecordedhistoryof humancivilization.

8. UCL HAS ONE OF THE BEST RECORDS OF GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT

Asatop5universityintheheartof London,weproducesomeof thehighestearninggraduatesin theUK.

9. YOU WILL GET ONE-TO-ONE FEEDBACK IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Wereturnallyourpiecesof workinone-to-onetutorials.Andwedon’tjustgiveyouagrade;wehelpyoutounderstandhowyoucanimproveyourwriting.

10. YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH OTHER TALENTED, HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS

Weadmitstudentsfrommanydifferentbackgroundswhoallhaveonethingincommon:anenthusiasmandatalentforhistory.If that’syou,you’llfindlike-mindedpeopleatUCL.

Where did you live in your first year? UCL Residences - Frances Gardner House

Essential item to take with you to university Coffee machine!

What has been your favourite module so far? The Middle Ages with Prof. David D’Avray.

Where is your favourite place in London? The Moorish Cafe, close to UCL.

Most surprising thing about university The intensity of the course, but also the enjoyment I get out of studying something I really love.

Highlight of your first year Coming back from Christmas break to see my friends again!

STUDENT VIEWSEMMA ZÜRCHER Year 2, BA History


Where did you live in your first year? Frances Gardner House

Essential item to take with you to university The app Citymapper

What has been your favourite module so far? Britain and the Wider World, it was fascinating to learn about the rise and fall of Britain’s power status, and helped me better understand our current global position. Also looking at the impact of Empire helped me better understand the development of ex-colonies in Africa and Asia. Truly fascinating and enlightening module!

Where is your favourite place in London? The Victoria and Albert museum. They always have phenomenal exhibitions on, and a real diversity of historical areas. Also a gold mine for anyone who loves fashion!

Most surprising thing about university How easy it was to make friends. I was terrified before starting that I wouldn’t find a group or people I connected with. But everyone is in the same boat, and very quickly I’d found an amazing group. Societies were also central to helping find similar minded people.

Highlight of your first year As the new treasurer for UCLU pole fitness society, pole has been central to my first year experience. We held our first inter-university competition this year. I’d never done pole before and was terrified when it came to performing on my own. So the highlight of first year was placing 3rd in the beginners category.

ELSPETH HUNT Year 2, BA History

STUDENT VIEWS

UCLwasestablishedasanonsectarianalternativetoOxfordandCambridge,whichatthattimeweretheonlyhighereducationinstitutionsinEngland.Initsearlyyears,Jews,Catholics,non-conformistsandatheistswhoweredeniedentrytoOxbridgestudiedatUCL;laterwewerethefirstuniversityinBritaintoadmitwomenonthesamebasisasmen.Inthe1860s,thefirstJapanesestudentstostudyintheWestwereadmittedtoUCL;andinthefirsthalf of thetwentiethcenturyUCLofferedanacademichometoagenerationof brilliantscholarswhofledfascistpersecutioninGermanyandItaly.Today,weareasmulti-culturalandmulti-nationalaninstitutionasanyintheworldandouralumniincludepoliticians,Nobelprize-winners,writersandartists.

Students enjoying their free-time at Cumberland Lodge


Deloitte UK “Deloitte has a long-standing relationship with UCL and we have a large number of

alumni now working across our Audit, Tax, Consulting and Corporate Finance areas. We continue to work with the university and target UCL students due to the high-calibre of applications that we receive every year”

Civil Service Fast Stream “UCL is second to none in its proactive and wide ranging approach to bringing employers and students together through events and other activities, and is ceaseless in it’s drive to enhance the skill set and employability of its graduates. This makes engaging with UCL a tremendously worthwhile partnership.”

Teach First “Six UCL History graduates started the Teach First Leadership Development Programme in 2014. These candidates have been accepted on one of Britain’s most prestigious graduate schemes and possessed strong leadership, resilience and problem solving skills. These qualities allowed the students to shine in our recruitment process. Applications from students and graduates of the UCL History department is strongly desired.”

STUDENT VIEWS

Ahistorydegreeatafirstclassuniversityisanidealtraininggroundforanycareerthatrequiresanalyticalskills,clarityof writtenandoralexpression,imaginationandempathy.Ourgraduatesgoontoworkinthemedia,inbusinessorfinance,andinthediplomaticandcivilservicesof manycountries.Developingaforeignlanguagecompetencecanbeof hugevalueintheworkplace,aswellashelpingwithyouracademicstudies.Londonstudentshavethegreatadvantageof havingmanyleadingemployersintheworldsof law,finance,business,mediaandcommunicationontheirdoorstep,offeringunrivalledopportunitiesforinternshipsandworkplacements.SurveysshowthatLondongraduatescommandsignificantlyhigherstartingsalariesthanthenationalgraduateaverage.Andif youwishtocontinueyourstudiesatpostgraduatelevel,thedepartmentrunsawiderangeof MAdegreeprogrammesandsupervisesmanyPhDstudents.Manyof ourundergraduateshavegoneontodistinguishedacademiccareers.

Where did you live in your first year? Schafer House

Essential item to take with you to university A wok

What has been your favourite module so far? The Medieval Universe.

Where is your favourite place in London? British Museum (currently volunteering there!)

Most surprising thing about university How many different and interesting resources are available to use (e.g. museums, collections, etc.)

Highlight of your first year Going to the Wellcome Collection to look at original medieval medical manuscripts

KAT SAUNDERS Year 2, BA History

“

Westronglyencourageyoutotakealanguagemodulewhileyouarehere.UCLoffersmodulesinbothancientandmodernlanguages,aimedatdifferentlevelsof competence.Developingaforeignlanguagecompetencecanbeof hugevalueintheworkplace,aswellashelpingwithyouracademicstudies.If youareadmittedtostudyAncientHistoryorAncientHistoryandEgyptologyyouwillberequiredtotakeanAncientlanguage.If youcometostudyHistorywithaEuropeanLanguage(Spanish,French,GermanorItalian),youwillnaturallystudythatlanguageaspreparationforyourthirdyearabroad.


Where did you live in your first year? Privately owned flat.

Essential item to take with you to university: Academic calendar.

What has been your favourite module so far? Paths through Modernity: Europe 1870-1945.

Where is your favourite place in London? Bloomsbury and the surrounding areas.

Most surprising thing about university The variety of non-academic activities one can undertake.

Highlight of your first year One of the History Society events during Freshers’ Week.

NIKOLAOS SOUSLOUS Year 2, BA History

STUDENT VIEWS

ThefirstlectureinhistoryatUCLwasgivenin1830,justtwoyearsafterwhatwasthenknownastheUniversityof Londonfirstopeneditsdoorstostudentsof allcreeds.ItwasnoteasytofindasuitablepersontobethefirstProfessorof History,whichwasperhapsnotsurprising,giventhatitwasinGermany,notBritain,thatthemodernhistoricalprofessionwasfoundedaroundthistime.NotuntiltheearlytwentiethcenturydidHistoryreallybecomeestablishedatUCL,duealmostentirelytotheinnovatingenergiesof A.F.Pollard,Professorof ConstitutionalHistory,whoalsotooktheleadincreatingtheUniversityof LondonSchoolof History,theInstituteof HistoricalResearchandtheHistoricalAssociation.Itwasatthistime,too,thatoneof themostunusualfeaturesof theDepartmentwasestablished,namelythepursuitof bothancientandmodernhistory.Bymid-century,theDepartment’sacademicstaff coveredmostaspectsof BritishandEuropeanhistory,andbothUShistoryandLatinAmericanhistorywerethriving.AlfredCobban,thedistinguishedhistorianof France,andArnaldoMomigliano,thegreatancienthistorianwhoseformidableintellectualrangeencompassedmostmattersof historicalinterest,didagreatdealtoconsolidatethereputationof UCLHistoryasoneof themostambitiousandwide-rangingdepartmentsinBritain.


UCL HISTORYDEPARTMENT

THE STUDENT PROSPECTUS

UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT PROSPECTUS 7

If you’ve got this far, the chances are you’re considering

coming to study History at UCL or perhaps

you’ve already received an offer and you’re

just trying to work out what you’re really

in for…either way, this next section is

slightly different and hopefully it’ll

make your decision/preparation that

little bit easier. These next few pages have been entirely produced by UCL History students and are intended to give you an idea of what life is really like at ‘London’s Global University’!

Academically UCL is brilliant. Fact. Consistently ranked as one of the top 10 universities in the UK and, as any current student will tell you quicker than you can say ‘league table’, ranked 4th IN THE WORLD by QS*. You’re guaranteed to get some good teaching and you’ll leave university as a highly employable graduate.

However, university life is about more than just lectures and so we want to give you an idea about life outside the library. Covering everything from where to get a free lunch to how to learn salsa dancing, this is a student insight into life at UCL.

*www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings

Here at UCL History, we are proud of our reputation

as a friendly and fun department with a lively academic and social calendar – and the History Society plays an important

part in upholding that reputation!

Every UCL History student is eligible to join the society, and as

your committee we endeavour to provide our members with regular useful and inspiring career events, academic speakers and fun socials to ensure that you make the most out of your time as a UCL historian. You’ll first come across us in Freshers’ Week, as it’s our job to make sure all the new historians settle in and get to know one another - so we’ll have a packed calendar of social

events to welcome you when you arrive. As a prestigious university in a central London location, UCL constantly attracts impressive names, and the History Society is no exception, with speakers lined up already for the coming year from the Cabinet Office and The Independent. In addition to that, we’ve got ambitious plans for the Easter Ball and socials throughout the year, as well as useful academic support like the book swap planned for the first term.

We’re an approachable and inclusive society, eager to incorporate our students’ views from all years and use the talents and interests of our members to make sure there’s always an exciting range of events to suit all tastes. The committee is elected annually by members, and anyone keen to get involved in the society is not only welcome to stand, but encouraged to do so!

The History Society works closely with the department to provide historians with events and opportunities to help maximise your History degree, and most importantly – to make sure you have a great time doing it!

HISTORY SOCIETY

8 UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT PROSPECTUS

Students working and socialising in the Undergraduate Common Room

Nevertheless saving money and organising your finances well is important, and by the time you finish your first term you’ll be an expert at making each pound go a little further. Day-to-day living needn’t be expensive – for instance, my local café serves up a delicious full English and cappuccino for less than a fiver and I get my hair cut for six quid. The largest expense, something even the thriftiest student cannot avoid, is rent. Whilst our cousins in the north are paying less than a hundred pounds a week per person, rent in London will be closer to the £150 mark, with others paying considerably more. This is offset by a higher loan for London Students as well as jobs that pay more per hour in London.

Weekly Budget (for a first year student) I know that UCL already gives a rough guide to budgeting somewhere in the mountains of prospectuses but let’s face it, what do they know? It goes without saying that this is a rough but nonetheless useful guide to determine how much you will be spending a week. I go by the rule of trying, not buying, things I don’t need and it has seemed to work for first year. Alternatively, you may be the offspring of a wealthy banker, oligarch or music mogul – in which case ignore this advice…Rent: £120-200 (in Halls of Residence – this

includes utility bills and food if you are catered)Food: £30Going out/entertainment: £30Travel: £10Rough Total = £190-270 per week

FINANCE When you tell your friends and family that you’re going to university in London they’ll probably look at you as if you are crazy, and begin asserting that London is too expensive for anyone, let alone a student. The truth is that London living is a little more expensive than elsewhere in the country though this is often hugely exaggerated.

Things Not to Buy• Pens and sticky notes – you get tons of these at freshers’

events plus banks give them away as well• Condoms – free at Gower Street practice!• Crockery – get this from home, really no point buying it new• Taxi Rides – London public transport is generally good. Some

buses run 24/7. Though if you are horrifically lost – the taxi app Uber is good for getting back home.

Government Loans and GrantsDull but very necessary. If you have not applied yet, the deadline is nine months into the academic year. Though you should apply sooner, rather than later, otherwise your money could be delayed and nobody wants that in Freshers’ Week!

Tuition Fee Loan:• £9000 per year paid directly by student

finance to the university in three instalments

• UK and EU students are eligible, not means-tested

• Unfortunately has to be paid back, but only when you are earning over £21,000 a year

Maintenance Loan:• Varies depending on home income,

though all UK students are eligible to some amount of loan

• Paid in three instalments into your bank account (usually at the beginning of each term)

• Again, unfortunately this has to be paid back, but only when you are earning over £21,000 a year

Maintenance Grant:• Must be UK resident enrolled on a full-

time undergraduate programme• Varies depending on household income• Paid into bank account at the start of

term• If taken, will reduce the amount of loan

you are eligible for• Does not have to be paid back If you are studying abroad, there are also travel grants available.

UCL Grants• More undergraduate students are eligible for

UCL Grants than they think• These are usually awarded to students who meet the

specific grant/bursary eligibility criteria• The UCL Undergraduate Bursary/National Scholarship

Programme (NSP) will provide support for prospective students from low income families. This is a single award

• UCL Access to Learning Fund (ALF) - provides financial assistance to UK students who find themselves in financial difficulty once they have enrolled

• UCL Hardship Fund – provides similar financial assistance to UK/EU students as the UCL Access to Learning Fund

• Various international bursaries, please check with the International Office for more information

• The UCL website has an abundance of information on the grants/bursaries/scholarships available to undergraduate students UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT PROSPECTUS 9

MAP ‘A WEEK IN THE LIFE…’

Thursday AM: First up is a 10am lecture for the core Writing History module, taught in a series of lectures at the beginning of term where students get to grips with critical reading, note-taking and writing skills. Later the module progresses into small group sessions which provide the opportunity for peer assessment and discussion guided by a tutor, before final assessment through a fully drafted essay to ease you into writing undergraduate History.PM: Continue this morning’s productivity with a gym session at UCL’s Bloomsbury Fitness on Gordon Street, the cheapest gym in WC1 which offers great value student rates for excellent facilities and a range of classes on campus.

Monday AM: Up bright and early for a 9am lecture on Consumerism in the Cold War – one of the topics taken from my ‘Europe Since 1945’ survey course, which runs in the form of weekly lectures and seminars throughout the whole academic year. After that it’s off to the library to brush up on recommended reading for tomorrow’s lecture on Colonial America…

PM: Hour-long seminar at 4pm where we expand on the history covered in the lecture; exploring broader themes regarding the social and cultural History of the Cold War and how changing ideas of the home and family were shaped by consumerism and mass production.Evening: Monday, 7pm and it’s time to head over to check out what’s on at Debating Society’s weekly public debate. Anyone can come along and join in, and the impressive outside speakers and student contributors always make for a lively evening.

Tuesday AM: Another early rise for today’s lecture on migration to the American Colonies in the 1700’s, followed by the corresponding seminar where we discuss an essay question style approach to this topic, exploring the impact that eighteenth-century ex-pats had on Britain’s first empire overseas.PM: After a yoga taster session with UCLU’s Yoga & Meditation Society, it’s time to head back to halls to spend the afternoon finishing off some research on the reaction of the Romantic poets to the arrival of the Elgin Marbles in Britain, in time for tomorrow’s Making History project group meeting.

Wednesday AM: A mercifully more leisurely start this morning, as an 11 o’clock group meeting is scheduled to work on our project on the political, social

and cultural significance of the Elgin Marbles, to be assessed via group presentation, online blog and a series of collaborative

essays. This contributes towards Making History, a new module completed in the first term where groups

chose from a wide range of historical investigations centred on an artefact or resource in London.Evening: Wednesday night on Gower Street means only one thing: topping off an afternoon of sport (that’s what your weekly afternoons off are for, you know…) with UCL’s Sports Night.

Recently relocated to the Loop bar just off Oxford Circus due to overwhelming demand, this club

night sees UCL’s sporting elite (and anyone who fancies a dance) flock to Loop for a fun, unpretentious

and affordable student night out.

Friday AM: Friday morning brings the final lecture of the week, one of Making History’s series of core lectures which cover a range of practical skills like referencing and avoiding plagiarism as well as information about using research facilities like museums and archives in UCL and beyond.Evening: After a busy week at UCL the Friday night solution is clear: where can you find three bars with great drinks deals, one pound entry for students and, of course, half of your class? The University of London Union of course! ULU, as it is more commonly known offers a fun, cheap night out without leaving campus if you don’t fancy venturing further afield – just don’t schedule Saturday morning’s library session too early…

SHONA TAYLOR

UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT PROSPECTUS10

UCL HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT PROSPECTUS 11

MAP

A) UCL History Department (Gordon Square)

B) The Court (Tottenham Court Road)

Grab a student discount card for £1 and you’ll

find this pub offers the best and cheapest drinks

around UCL beyond the walls of the student union.

C) Dirty Martini (Russell Street) You’d be hard-pressed to find such a great bar

with so late a happy hour anywhere in London,

never mind walking distance from campus (10pm

Mon-Thu/8pm Fri-Sat/All Night Sun).

D) The Roxy (Rathbone Place) Sports Night may have moved to The Loop, but

if it’s a club you’re after, this little piece of UCL’s

history is still worth an explore!

E) Thirst (Greek Street) Open until 3am and rather more palatable than

Moonies across the street (for the sober at least),

Thirst is a gem of a bar hidden away in the depths

of Soho.F) ICCO (Charlotte Street) Can’t beat £3.95 for a great takeaway pizza, no

less a steal at £4.50 to eat in! More than must-try,

ICCO is quite simply a rite of passage for any UCL

student. G) Franco Manca (Tottenham Court Road)

Or try London’s very best pizza for just a little

more.H) BiBimBap (Charlotte Street) If you haven’t tried Korean food before then this is

the place to start. Whether you’re a meat-lover or

a vegetarian, you’ll fall in love with this place long

before you clock its affordable prices.

I) Honest Burger (Market Place)

There’s no shortage of great burger places in

London but Honest Burger might just top the lot;

can’t go wrong with this top-notch burger and a

side of addictive rosemary-salted fries for £8.

J) Fleet River Bakery (Lincoln’s Inn Fields)

Coffees, cakes, pastries and sandwiches: Fleet

River Bakery serves them all to mouth-watering

perfection.

K) Wahaca (Charlotte Street) Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers serves up

some of the tastiest, most filling Mexican food in

London. A stone’s throw away from UCL, it won’t

break the bank either!

L) Waitrose (Tottenham Court Road)

The words ‘Waitrose’ and ‘free’ don't really

sound right together, but sign up for a Waitrose

membership card and you’ll get Waitrose coffee

for free. No strings attached.

M) Bloomsbury Lanes (Bedford Way)

Don’t want to spend an evening sitting in halls?

Bored of the pub? But not quite in the mood for

dancing? Go bowling instead. For some reason

no one seems to have been bowling since they

were about 11, but 8 years later, it’s still amazing.

Seriously, if you bowl a good game, it may just be

the most satisfying night of your university life…

N) Attendant (Goodge Street)

A coffee shop in an old Victorian public toilet –

what more could you want?

O) British Museum (Great Russell Street)

Not exactly a hidden gem, but still, a year on and

some members of the department still haven’t

been. Seriously, you’re History students and this

place is literally a 5 minute walk from UCL. Go.

NOW! P) Hare Krishna Free Lunch (Thornhaugh

Street) Feeling broke and fancy a free meal?

Queue up at the SOAS campus and get your free

‘spiritually enhanced’ vegetarian lunch.

Q) Primrose Hill Looking for spectacular views over central

London, but don’t fancy an overpriced trip up the

Shard? A walk to the top of Primrose Hill could be

the perfect solution.

R) The Carpenter’s Arms (Whitfield Street)

Not the cheapest, but with traditional décor, a

good selection of ales and a roof terrace, The

Carpenter’s feels like the classic English pub.

S) Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club (Frith Street)

One of the world’s most famous jazz clubs. Entry

normally costs around £30, but go along to one of

their late night shows with your student card and

get in for £5.

T) The Foundling Museum (Brunswick Square)

If you fancy a bit of culture but can’t quite face the

throngs of tourists and overwhelming size of the

British Museum, a trip to the Foundling Museum

could be just what you’re looking for.

U) Sir John Soane’s Museum (Lincoln’s Inn

Fields) A museum like no other, the Sir John

Soane’s Museum provides a spectacular insight

into the life of the Georgian architect.

V) Lincoln’s Inn Fields One of the oldest and largest squares in London,

this is the perfect place to relax on a sunny

afternoon. Take a little bit of time to explore the

surrounding area and discover its rich history.

W) British Library (Euston Road) Legally required to hold a copy of every book

produced in the UK and Ireland, the British Library

could well become your exam period best friend.

X) Italia Uno (Charlotte Street) If you’re looking for a heavy duty sandwich but feel

Subwayed out, this could be the place for you.

Y) Bar Salsa (Charing Cross Road) If you’re looking for a slightly different night out

and aren’t totally averse to the idea of dancing that

actually involves a bit of skill, Bar Salsa is a lot of

fun. If you’re feeling brave, you can even get to the

bar in the early evening and join a Salsa lesson.

Z) Kerb (UCL Campus) A collection of different food stalls that comes to

the UCL campus on the last Wednesday of every

month. Look out for Bleecker St. Burgers. The

only bad thing about them is that you have to wait

a month to get another one.

The facilities on the UCL campus are great and are all shown on the official university map. However, one of the huge advantages of being at university in central London is that there is so much going on off campus, just a few minutes’ walk from the uni gates. We’ve therefore put together a map featuring some of our favourite places in the surrounding area. Enjoy!

Night life Coffee Recreation Food

Libraries/ Museums

Outdoors UCL


Oneof manyadvantagesof comingtoUCListheopportunitytoliveinthecentreof agreatworldcity.UCLisinanareaof LondoncalledBloomsbury,whichisfamousforitsliteraryconnections(notably,Dickens,T.S.EliotandVirginiaWoolf)anditsleafyurbansquares.Alltheculturalresourcesof oneof theworld’sgreatcities–music,theatre,art,nightlife–arewithinamileortwoof theUCLHistoryDepartment.

Formanystudents,embarkingonadegreemaymeanlivingindependentlyforthefirsttime.Thiscanbechallenging,butUCLStudentAccommodation’saimistomakethetransitionaseasyaspossible.Allnewfirst

yearstudentsareguaranteedaresidentialplace,subjecttoconditions.AndalthoughLondonisalargecity,75%of ouraccommodationiswithina10-30minutewalkof theUCLmaincampus.Formoredetails,seetheUCLaccommodationwebsite.Thewebsiteoffersmorethanjustadviceandapplications;youcangoonvirtualtoursof theaccommodationandreadthroughalistof rentalpricesfortheupcomingacademicyear.

Youmayalsoliketofindoutmoreaboutfundingandfinance,includingUCLgrantsandscholarships,this

informationisavailableonourfundingwebsite.

Where did you live in your first year? Canterbury Hall

Essential item to take with you to university A water bottle (save money & the environment!)

What has been your favourite module so far? American History in Hollywood Film

Where is your favourite place in London? Everywhere! Walking around London is a form of recreation in itself and is definitely a perk of studying in a city.

Most surprising thing about university Having your preconceptions of people constantly shattered once you get to know them

Highlight of your first year Performing in ‘Hair’ at the Bloomsbury Theatre

HARLAN DAVIES Year 3, BA History

STUDENT VIEWS

Ann Stephenson House


We treat all of our students as individuals and will get toknowyou–yourinterestsandneeds–sothatwecansupportyouthroughanydifficultiesyoumayencounterduringyourtimeasastudent.Thereisadedicatedstudentcounsellingserviceandhardshipfundsareavailabletostudentswithfinancialproblems.Withinthedepartment,youwillbeassignedapersonaltutor,whowillmeetyouatthestartandendof everytermforachataboutyouracademicprogressandanythingthatmightbeaffectingit.WhenyoufirstarriveyouwillalsohaveatransitionmentorwhowillbeanotherundergraduateHistorystudent,intheirsecondorfinalyear.

Weunderstandverywellthechallengeof comingtouniversityforthefirsttime.Youaredealingwithalotatonce–newacademicpressures,unfamiliarsubjects,theexpectationthatyouworkmoreindependentlythanyoumayhavebeenusedto–andallinanewplace.Yournewlifestylewillhelpwiththistransition,aswillUCLasawhole.ButtheHistoryDepartmentwillbeyouracademichome,sowhatdowedotohelp?Alot.

• A residential weekend at Cumberland Lodge

Atthebeginningof thefirstterm,newfirstyearsareinvitedtospendadayandanightatCumberlandLodge,aseventeenthcenturyRoyalPalaceinWindsorGreatPark.Therewillbelecturesandyoucanparticipatein

workshops,andgetthechancetosocialiseinarelaxedwaywithyourfellowstudentsandacademicsfromtheHistoryDepartment.

• History Society Aswellashavingadedicatedtransitionmentor,youwillalsobeencouragedtojointheHistorySociety;anundergraduate-runsocietythathelpsUCLhistorianstogettoknowoneanotherandorganiseseventsforthebenefitof historystudents.

• A dedicated Departmental Tutor Whosemainfocusisstudentwelfareandwhowillgettoknowyouandwillalwaysbeavailableasasourceof supportandadvice.

• Writing History Acompulsorymoduletakeninthefirsttermof yourfirstyeartohelpprepareandequipyouforwritingatdegreelevel.Youwillbetaughtinverysmallgroups(nomorethan4)andhaveaonetoonetutorialtodiscussthedraftof yourfirstessay.

• Making History

Anothercompulsorymoduletakeninthefirsttermof yourfirstyear;agroupprojectwithyourfellowfirstyears–conductinghistoricalresearchusinglocalresources,whilegettingtoknowyourpeersatthesametime.


Wewantthebeststudents–whateverbackgroundtheycomefrom.Soweworkhardtotryandensurewehaveasdiverseanintakeaspossible;peoplefromallovertheUKandallcontinentsof theworld,fromalltypesof schools,andallsocialbackgrounds.Wegenerallyadmitaround180undergraduatesayear,plusabout100masters’studentsand20PhDstudents.Ourundergraduateintakeisevenlysplitbetweenmaleandfemale,andabout75%of ourUK-basedstudentsattendedstateschools.

Wenormallyexpectstudentstoachievehighgradesinordertocomehere;A*AA-AAAatALevel.Butweareveryawarethatourapplicantscomefromverydifferentbackgrounds,somewithextensivesupportfromschool,otherswithless,somewithaccesstoexcellentlibraries,otherswithout.Ourapplicationprocessisdesignedtoidentifythepeoplewhowethinkhavethepotentialtoflourishhere,sowealwayslookatmuchmorethansimplypredictedorachievedgrades.Weusuallyaskourapplicantstosendusaveryshortpieceof writingabouthistorywhichwereadalongsidetheirUCASform,inordertogetabettersenseof theapplicant’spotential.Welookatpersonalstatements,schoolreferencesandmakeajudgmentaboutexamperformanceinrelationtowhatmightbeexpectedfromwhatweknow,statistically,abouttheschooltheapplicantsarecomingfrom.WeverymuchwanttoensurethatUCLHistoryremainsopenandwelcomingtopeoplefromgroupswhoarecurrentlyunder-representedinHigherEducation.

Thereisnosimplewayof describingthekindof studentswhocomeherebecauseourintakeissovaried,butwehopethatwhattheyallhaveincommonisagenuineintellectualexcitementaboutstudyinghistory,genuineintellectualcuriosityandhistoricalimagination.Wearenotconcernedaboutfactualknowledgeatthisstage.Nordoesitmattertouswhatperiodortypeof historyyoumayalreadyhavestudied.Whatwewantarestudentswhohavethepotentialtosucceedandtoenjoyahistorydegree.If youfindtheacademicstudyof historyfascinating,wewouldlovetoreadyourapplication.

Everyoneinterestedinstudyinghereiswelcometogetintouchwithusbeforehandtofindoutmoreaboutus.Ourwebsitehasaplethoraof informationaswellasourcontactdetails.Wehaveregular open days and are always happy to show you around and answerquestionsinformally.

Where did you live in your first year? Commonwealth Hall

Essential item to take with you to university Fairy lights and cushions to make your uni room really cosy and homely.

What has been your favourite module so far? Definitely the Making History module, as it encouraged you to go out and explore London’s rich history as well as allowing you to meet and work together with other students on the History course.

Where is your favourite place in London? Westminster - the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are spectacular to look at, as well as being able to see the Thames and the London Eye. There’s such an amazing buzz and so much History to take in: visiting Westminster made me realise that London was definitely the place I wanted to study at Uni.

Most surprising thing about university How quickly you adapt to university living. I went from living in a tiny village to the heart of London. It’s an amazing feeling becoming independent and navigating your way around London - and conquering the dreaded tube map! London very quickly felt like home.

Highlight of your first year I really enjoyed the History Easter Ball: it was a great excuse to get really dressed up and go out with my course mates. Free drinks too, which is always a bonus!

BECKY DRISCOLL Year 2, BA History

STUDENT VIEWS


AGATA ZIELINSKA Year 3, BA HistorySTUDENT VIEWS

3. EVIDENCE Backupyourclaimstobeingenthusiasticaboutthesubjectwithsomeevidence.So,forexample,trytomentionsomethingspecificwhichdrawsyoutothesubject,perhapsabookyou’vereadwhichmadeabigimpressiononyou,oranexhibition/museumyouhavevisited.If youaredoinganExtendedProject,telluswhatit’sabout.

4. INTERESTS Alsothinkaboutyourotherinterests,suchassport,music,theatre,art,environmentalactivismetc.If possible,usethemtogiveusasenseof yourself asapotentialstudentandshowhowtheyrelatetoyourhistoricalinterests.

5. EXTRACURRICULARSButdon’twastetoomanywordstalkingaboutextracurricularactivities.It’sfinetoputthemin,butdon’tletthemdominate.Peoplemaywellencourageyoutodothisonthegroundsthatuniversitiesarelookingfor‘well-rounded’people.Wedo,butwearemainlyinterestedinfindingthemostintellectuallyinterestingstudents.

6. WRITING STYLEMakesureyourstatementiswellwritten:focused,clear,direct,evenelegant.Avoidspellingmistakesandgrammaticalerrors.Historyrequiresclearwrittenexpression,soanAdmissionsTutorwilllookathowyouwriteaswellaswhatyouwrite.

Writingyourpersonalstatementisoneof thehardest,butmostimportantthingsyouneedtodowhenapplyingtouniversity.Formanypeopleit’sthefirsttimethatthey’vehadto‘sell’themselvesonpaper,anditcanbescary.Butremember:thisistheonlypartof theformoverwhichyouhavecompletecontrol,soitisimportanttouseitwellandcreatetherightimpression.

YourmainobjectiveinwritingthestatementshouldbetogivetheAdmissionsTutoraclearimpressionof whatyouarelike,howyouthinkandwhyyouwanttostudyHistory.

Here are some pointers that may be helpful to you when writing your personal statement:

1. BE YOURSELF Thegeneralrule:beyourself.Don’ttrytoohard.Don’t putinpretentiousquotesfrombooksyou’veneverread, buttrytoexplainwhyyouwanttostudyhistoryinaclearanddirectway.

2. WHY HISTORY? Trynottowriteanessayaboutwhyhistoryis‘important’.Admissionstutorsdon’tneedtobeconvincedof this;theyalreadyworkinaHistorydepartment!Instead,trytoexplainwhyyouwanttostudyHistory(ratherthanwhysomeoneshould).Inotherwords,focusonyourown relationshiptothesubject.

Where did you live in your first year? Intercollegiate Hall - Nutford House

Essential item to take with you to university Favourite light-read book, good headphones, sturdy book-bag. Do not bring your old history notes - keep them in the attic, you will not use them at university, but it would be a crime to trash them.

What has been your favourite module so far? The Medieval Universe - Dr. Sophie Page

Where is your favourite place in London? Primrose Hill at dusk.

Most surprising thing about university How quickly it passes by.

Highlight of your first year Being forced to and actually being able to read an early modern document that had not been transcribed.

DR ADAM SMITH, A FORMER ADMISSIONS TUTOR, OFFERS HIS ADVICE…


CHAIR IN MODERN BRITISH HISTORY, ON UCL AND RESOURCES FOR HISTORIANS

Undergraduate students at UCL enjoyaccesstosomeof theworld’spremierculturalinstitutionsandheritagesites.AtUCL,weareawashwithhistoricalobjects

andplaces.UCLitself ishometoseveralmuseumcollections(of Art,Egyptology,EthnographyandZoology)andawealthof archivaldeposits(notablyUCLSpecialCollections).WithinashortwalkfromGordonSquare,studentscanvisittheBritishLibrary,BritishMuseum,BruneiGallery,FoundlingMuseum,HunterianMuseum,SirJohnSoane’sMuseumandtheWellcomeCollection(tonamejustafewnearbyattractions).TheHistoryDepartmentisespeciallykeentoensurethatourdegreescapitaliseontheserichcollectionsandresources.WebuildstructuredopportunitiestoworkwithLondon-basedprimarymaterials—suchasartworks,buildings,manuscriptsandmonuments—intotheundergraduateprogrammethroughtheMakingHistorymodule,takenintheautumnof yourfirstyear.Havingsampledthisarrayof primarysourcesatthestartof thedegree,studentsareabletoweaveprimarymaterialsintosubsequentcoursework,culminatinginthefinal-yeardissertation.

Frommyperspectiveasbothamoduletutorandaresearcher,integratingmaterialcultureintohistoricalanalysisoffersanumberof importantchallengestotraditionsof historicalanalysisbasedonprinted(oronline)texts.UsingobjectsreadilyaccessibleatUCL,suchasancientfuneraryurnsorChineseporcelainvasesasprimarymaterials,allowsusto‘read’sources‘written’bynon-literatehistoricalactors—andtherebytoincludethesepopulationsinourinterpretationsof thepast.Usingunpublisheddocumentsandmaterialculturetoinvestigatethepastalsoremindsusof thefragmentaryvestigesof thepastthatbooks,newspapersandpamphletscapture—andthusalertsustothehighlyselectivehistoriesthesedocumentsoftennarrate.Aspartof aprojectundertakenatthewestLondonNationalTrustproperty,OsterleyPark,forexample,myresearchteamrecentlyquestionedtheiconicnationalidentityof this‘English’statelyhomebyreadingitsAsianfurnishingsasevidenceforeighteenthcenturyOsterley’simmersioninglobalhistoryandculture.YoucanseeavideoforthisprojectwemadewithUCLHistoryundergraduateJoeMason’sproductioncompanyonYouTube.Outsidetheclassroom,therearemanyopportunitiesatUCLtoengagewithLondon’sarchivesandmuseums.Informationaboutopportunitiestovolunteerortoapplyforaninternship/workplacementcanbefoundfrom:BritishMuseum,NationalTrustandVictoriaandAlbertMuseum(V&A).Morebroadly,theStudents’Unionisalsoakeysourceof informationonvolunteeringopportunitiesinLondon.


SENIOR LECTURER IN MEDIEVAL HISTORY ON THE ANNUAL CUMBERLAND LODGE CONFERENCE FOR NEW FIRST YEAR UNDERGRADUATES

Sincethe1950s,mostfirstyearstudentsfromtheUCLHistoryDepartmenthavespentthefirstweekendof theirundergraduatecareersatCumberlandLodge.Everyyear,intheidyllicsettingof WindsorGreatPark,studentsandmembersof staff engageinalivelycombinationof informallecturesandworkshops,friendlychatsandhighlycontestedpubquizzes.Studentshavethechancetosocialiseamongthemselvesandwiththeirprospectiveteachersandtotastea

sampleof therangeof modulesthattheywillbeabletoenjoyinthefuturemonths.Throughouttheyears,inthecorridorsandinthehallsof thisbeautifulmid-seventeenthcenturyresidence,everlastingfriendshipshavebeenforgedandstudentsandstaff havebeguntobuildtogetherthesenseof belongingandidentitythatcharacterisesourDepartment.Informative,challengingand,mostof all,immenselyfun,theCumberlandLodgeweekendisbyfaroneof thehighlightsof eachacademicyearandis,certainly,aneventnottobemissed.

LECTURER IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY, ON SOME OF HIS MOST RECENT RESEARCH

UCLisafantasticplacetolearnaboutLatinAmericanhistory.WewerethefirstdepartmentintheUKtotaketheregionseriously.Whilesurveymodulesprovideanintroductiontokeythemesandcountries,studentsalsotakethematicmodulesthatarecloselyinformed

byfaculty’songoingresearch.Muchof myresearchandteachingexaminesauthoritarianregimesintwentieth-centuryLatinAmerica–wheretheycomefrom,howtheyrule,whytheylosepower,andwhatlegaciestheyleavefornewdemocracies.I’veparticularlytriedtounderstandwhyMexico’sgreatsocialrevolutionof 1910-20slowlymorphedintoanauthoritarianofficialpartythatruledthecountryuntil2000.Forme,it’safascinatingintellectualpuzzle.Forastart,understandingMexicanpoliticsmeansgrapplingwithahuge,ethnicallymixed,regionallydiverse,andprofoundlyunequalsociety-theso-called“manyMexicos”.IsupposeIalsowanttounderstandwhatwentwrong.Afterall,therevolutionmobilizedmillions,inspiredanextraordinaryartisticrenaissance,andproducedthemostsociallyprogressiveconstitutionintheworldatthetime.It’salsoimpossibletounderstandMexicotodaywithoutthishistory.Sincethe1980s,electionshavegraduallybecomemorecompetitive,butthelegaciesof theoldsystem–corruption,humanrightsabuses,inequality–arealltooevident.In

2012,theMexicanpublic,wearyof thedrugwar,votedtheoldpartybackintopower.LastyearIfinishedupaprojectonmilitarypoliticsaftertheMexicanRevolution.Themilitary’shistoryisstillaverycontroversialtopic,particularlyitsinvolvementincorruptionandpoliticalrepression.Manyarguethat,untilrecently,itwasapublictaboo.Mybookrepresentsaneffort(amongmanyothers)toopenupdiscussion,andhasalsoledmetoanewproject:astudyof thepoliticsof historyduringLatinAmerica’sgreatwaveof democratizationsince(roughly)the1970s.Recently,I’vealsobecomeinterestedinthepoliticsof diseaseandpublichealth.Anyefforttocontroldiseaseinevitablyraisesquestionsthatare,broadly,political.Whogetstodecideonanappropriateresponse?Whoshouldbearthecostsanddisruption?Whathappenstonationalsovereigntywhencountriescooperateacrossborders?Mexico’s2009outbreakof swineflugotmethinkingaboutearlierexperiences.AtthemomentI’mwritingaboutamassive,highlycontroversialjointUS-Mexicancampaignagainstfoot-and-mouthdiseaseinthe1940sand1950s,examininghowthecampaignwasshapedbycompetinginterestgroups,frompresidentsandpeasants,toscientistsandnewspapermen.Thecampaignhaslargelybeenforgotten,butIthinkittellsusalotaboutthelimitsof USpowerduringtheColdWar,thestrengthof popularresistancetoauthoritarianisminMexico,andthefraughtrelationshipbetweenscienceandpublicpolicy.

THE UCL HISTORY ADVANTAGE

1-1 support offered to all students (tutorials, supervision & feedback sessions)

2 student common rooms

3 of the UK’s biggest humanities libraries are within 5 minutes walk away

UCL is the 5TH best university in the world (QS 2014)

The History Department is consistently ranked among the top 5 in the UK

7 postgraduate taught MA degree programmes

Study Abroad links with 9 universities (including Pennsylvania University & the Sorbonne)

21 Professors (including Emeriti)

More than 60 research staff in the department

Our Cumberland Lodge conference for 1ST

years has been running for 62 years

93% of History students are in work or further study within 6 months of graduation

The department is almost 190 years old

You can study 5,000 years of history here!

/UCLHistory

@UCLHistory

Department of History, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 1340 Web: www.ucl.ac.uk/history

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