Hi, I’m Henna! I’m a second year History student and in this blog post I’m going to give you an inside look on what the degree is actually like.
What modules are offered & how flexible are they?
The great aspect to studying History is how much flexibility there is in terms of content, meaning you have a generous choice of topics and eras to choose from. First year is somewhat more guided, though by second year the content spans from ‘Toleration and Human Rights in Europe’ to ‘The Middle East since 1800’. You can easily explore any area of interest you may have through the modules offered!
How many contact hours per week & what are class sizes like?
As a History student you can expect around 7-8 contact hours per week, giving you not only the time to effectively engage with coursework, but also to cultivate an active social life in the buzzing city of London. While lectures are fun places to gather with many other students in your course, our seminar groups are often between 6-12 people in total. This creates an intimate and focused environment, allowing everyone to participate and get the attention they need from their tutors.
Do you have field trips?
Yes, you can expect field trips for a variety of courses such as ‘History and Memory’ in second year. We are also encouraged to explore local sites around the city independently!
How many assignments/exams are there?
A History course at King’s does require lots of writing! We often will have two essays per module, exams at the end of Term 1 and at the end of Term 2, alongside a variety of other interesting little group projects and presentations. While it seems like a lot, there is an immense amount of academic support and people who will ensure you have the time and resources to get it all done.
What resources do you have access to, e.g. library, archives, academic support?
One of my favourite parts of the King’s campus would be the beautiful Maughan Library on Chancery Lane! It is the main research library of the college, as well as the main library for Arts and Humanities resources. Just a 10-minute walk from the Strand Campus, the Maughan hosts a variety of places to study in, including Group Study rooms, Computer Rooms, Postgraduate Zones, Assistive Technology rooms and a Wellbeing Room. There are also archives and a great collection of books to assist you in your studies. Apart from the Maughan, King’s College owns another four libraries to study in. Since KCL students are part of the University of London, we are able to work in various other intercollegiate sites as well. One of my personal favourites is the Senate House Library! Studying can be overwhelming at times, so it’s great to have access to the numerous student support services available both on campus and online.
That concludes my mini guide to the degree – hopefully it answered some of your questions! If I missed anything, feel free to head to the King’s website or reach out to the university directly. Tune in for more posts in the coming weeks!
More information:
To explore the King’s History Department page, click here
To read about undergraduate History module descriptions, click here
To read Gabrielle’s blog post, ‘A Day in the Life of a History Student’, click here
To see what other courses King’s has to offer, click here
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