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Communications and History BA (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
  • UCAS Code(s): LV31
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: Three years full-time, four – seven years part-time
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time
  • Campus: Clifton Campus
Information for 2024

Introduction:

Understand contemporary human identities and behaviours through the complex and contested historical, political, social, environmental and ideological forces that shape our experiences.

A degree in Communications and History is a powerful combination that can equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in the world. With a deep understanding of human communication and the historical context in which it occurs, graduates of this program are well-prepared to tackle the complex challenges of the contemporary world.

Communications modules provide a broad and diverse understanding of human interaction and the ways in which people communicate with each other. This includes not only verbal communication, but the use of media and technology, political communications and the art of persuasion.

History modules provide a crucial framework for understanding the complex and interconnected world we live in. By examining the events, movements, and people of the past, you will gain a deep appreciation for how the world we know today came to be: the present is a direct legacy of a complex past. This knowledge will give you a critical perspective on contemporary issues and allow you to make informed decisions as a citizen, leader, or professional.

Combining these two fields of study can lead to a powerful and inspiring career path. You could work as a communications specialist in a non-profit organization, helping to raise awareness of social issues and advocating for change. Alternatively, you might work as a public relations professional, helping businesses and organizations to effectively communicate with their customers, employees, and stakeholders. You could also pursue a career in journalism, bringing historical context to current events and helping people to make sense of the world around them.

No matter what path you choose, a degree in Communications and History can provide a solid foundation for a meaningful and impactful career. You will have the skills, knowledge, and perspective needed to make a real difference in the world, and the inspiration to do so.

  • You will get the best preparation for your future career through work-like experiences that are embedded throughout the length of the course.
  • Develop a deep understanding of the role played by human communication both past and present and the role that this plays in shaping the modern world.
  • You will have the opportunity to create your own pathway through the course, with a study abroad and extended placement modules available in the second year.
  • Develop a wide range of industry-ready future-proof skills that are highly valued by today’s employers - including excellent communication and critical thinking, analytical skills, digital skills and creativity.

What you’ll study

Each year you’ll study a number of core modules from the lists below and you’ll have the opportunity  to select from a range of optional modules to give yourself a more specialised pathway, depending on your interests.

In the second half of Year Two you can take your learning into your own hands and choose an extended work placement, learn at one of our many partner institutions worldwide, or continue to study here with a wide range of interesting optional modules to choose from.

Work-like experience

Work-like experience is embedded throughout your degree, ensuring that you are given multiple opportunities across three years to develop your career goals and build the skills and experience needed to achieve them. These embedded work-like experience opportunities are much more than a placement, and ensure that you develop the skills and competencies that employers demand. You will take part in a minimum of 240 hours of work-like experience during your course, with the option to take an extended 10-week work placement in your second year.

What does work-like experience mean?

Work-like experience defines a wide range of activities which will build your skills and hone your confidence to prepare you for a professional career after graduation. You will be given opportunities to engage in client-led projects, volunteering, consultancy, professional development, vocational training, project management and team work. You will expand and enhance your creative and communications skills through practical projects, producing podcasts and videos, organising campaigns, curating social media content and visual media. This rich and diverse experience will ensure that you graduate with the skills and confidence to thrive in your own career path.

Interdisciplinary modules

Our students are curious, creative and forward-thinking, so in your second and third years of study you can join your colleagues from across Humanities to take a module which is not traditionally associated with your subject, but is related to some of the big issues in the world today. For instance, interdisciplinary humanities modules on sustainability or artificial intelligence take your subject knowledge in surprising and innovative directions. See below for the current list of these modules.

Transformation modules

Each year you will take a core collaborative module. These modules are linked and will build on each other to ease you into University life, support you with mentoring and personal tutoring, begin your professional development, and expand your horizons with collaborative projects and assessments both within your subjects and wider afield. They include work-like experiences, and will build towards a Developing with NTU employability award.

Core modules

Understanding the Communications Revolution

Explore the dynamics of digital culture which underpin the ‘communications revolution’. You’ll examine a range of media technologies and creative industries centred on the internet explosion, which together have arguably transformed the nature of life in the 21st century. And you’ll be asked to consider some of the key questions – about ownership, power and control - which accompany these changes.

Psychology of Communication

This module is designed to demonstrate the centrality of communications, not just to the functioning of society, but also for the very constitution of who we are as individuals. Based within, but by no means contained by, the field of Social Psychology, it looks at how people communicate with one another both verbally and non-verbally. It also considers the role of both conscious and sub-conscious processes. Other key topic areas include the arts of conversation and persuasion, the psychology of leadership, group dynamics and intergroup relations.

Europe since 1789: Revolution to Referendum

Explore the ideas, ideologies, and political, social, and economic changes associated with the development of Western Europe and the European States from the late 18th Century to the end of the 20th Century. You will examine revolutions and unifications, empire and colonisation, war and state, the rise of communism and fascism, and the intellectual, economic, cultural and social developments that shaped the modern world.

America 1607-2020: From Colony to Superpower

This module examines the rise of the United States, from its colonial origins to the global superpower it is today. We will consider themes of colonialism, race, slavery, and gender as we explore the connections between America’s past and present. By the end of the module, you will understand the origins of modern American nationalism, and of the development of social movements such as Black Lives Matter.

Transformation: Agency and Self

In this module you will build the foundations for a successful University life through developing understanding and knowledge of your sustainable self. Exploring mental health (in)justice through academic research and project work, this module will demonstrate that knowledge of self, leads to a greater sense of community, key to overall wellbeing and academic success.

The main assessment will be the pitch of an initiative/resource/activity that will encourage and sustain wellbeing across the Joint Honours cohort to internal clients, NTSU, NTU Sport, or the Arts and Humanities Wellbeing team and a professional development reflection. The assessment is a personal reflection alongside the completion of the Developing with NTU award.

Optional modules typically include - choose one

Journalism and Promotional Cultures

Your introduction to the field of professional media communications.  By looking at debates around fake news, the operations of propaganda and controversies around celebrity culture, you will develop a combination of theoretical insights and practical skills, which will hep you produce a PR campaign around a person of your choice.

Sustainability in Culture and Society (includes a work-like experience)

Engage with community-led enterprises and charities across local and international constituencies as you explore the concept of sustainability and its legacies in historical context. Explore current sustainable development goals, trace their evolution via historical processes and assess whether these goals are still fit-for-purpose. Trace sustainability’s footprint across a range of media, from literature and music to film, journalism and museums, and employ your own social media campaign to capture the immediacy and importance of sustainability with contemporary society.

Core modules

The Historian's Craft

This module explores the role of the historian, and the purpose of history as a discipline, examining how historical narratives develop, and why historians rarely agree. You will be introduced to a range of source collections and guided through how to critically examine and analyse this material as historical evidence.

Explorations in Identity and Selfhood

This module looks at a range of psychological and sociological theories of identity and selfhood.  Starting with our common sense understandings and a focus on 'personality', it moves out towards more radical theories and arguments, which see identities as more contingent and de-centred.

Transformation: Agency and World

What purpose do the humanities serve in today's society? How can the humanities help in the process of "healing and securing our planet" and "freeing the human race from poverty" as stated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations?

This module focuses on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and encourages you to develop your awareness of how your own field of study as well as cross- and inter-disciplinary actions can result in real, quantifiable change. Alongside a personal reflective portfolio, you will share your knowledge and understanding developed through the module to produce a news reel of how a contemporary sustainability goal relates to your discipline.

In this module you will either undertake an 80 hour placement, supported by the Arts and Humanities employability team, or will engage in an 80 hour project, responding to a supplied employer brief  and producing a solution to the brief given.

Optional pathways

Pathway 1: Extended work-like experience

Get the experience you need for after you graduate, and really understand how the things you study translate into the world of work with a work placement. Your highly experienced Employability Team will help you find a placement to suit your career goals from our huge network of companies, charities, institutions, and beyond.

Pathway 2: An international exchange

Travel the world, meet new friends, and have experiences you will remember for the rest of your life.

Our flexible curriculum has been designed to allow some amazing opportunities for you. Your second year of study is divided into two semesters, giving you the opportunity to take part in an international exchange. You could study with one of international exchange partners in Australia, Europe, USA, Canada, Thailand and many, many more.

Our dedicated team will support you in finding and arranging a suitable exchange. And don't worry about the cost, they will help you apply for any grants or loans you may need, as no one should miss out on the chance to broaden their horizons.

Pathway 3: Taught modules

Interdisciplinary optional modules typically include:

Intercultural Communication at Work

Gain the knowledge, skills and strategies to build your intercultural communication competence. Analyse and reflect on the impact of culture(s) on your values, assumptions, perceptions, expectations, and behaviours. Build successful verbal and non-verbal communication strategies in different intercultural settings.

People and Planet: pasts, presents, and futures

In this module you will develop an understanding of the human impact on the environment from the 15th Century to the present as a form of slow but sustained violence enacted against the planet. It will also explore how such long-term change can interact with social justice in the present day.

Rhetoric and Public Communication

You will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to become an effective communicator in both face-to-face and online contexts. It will provide you with a thorough grounding in the theory and techniques of classical rhetoric, as well as the latest social-psychological theories of rhetoric and their application. You will also be introduced to theories of political communication, propaganda and the psychology of leadership

History optional modules typically include:

Fascism Past and Present

With an emphasis on topics as diverse as propaganda, racism, gender roles, and sport, this module examines and contextualises the advent of fascism and its effects on European culture and society. We will study the fascisms of yesterday and of today in order to understand how dictatorships are born and how they operate. We will explore how democracy is valued and respected by many, while challenged and undermined by others.

Tudors and Stuarts: Rulers and Representations

Explore the world of the Tudor and Stuart rulers, studying the reigns and reputations of figures such as Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots. Develop your understanding by considering key themes such as the Reformation, witchcraft, and gender. Deepen your appreciation of the significance of their reigns by analysing how issues encountered in the period are still relevant today.

Money Matters: Finance Past and Present

See how historical processes affect share prices and economics by play the London Stock Exchange as a team, and research the individual companies and sectors you invest in.

History Online: Researching and Presenting the Past

Drawing from an exciting range of specialised historical topics, you will choose two preferred areas of focus to work independently and at your own pace in designing and delivering creative magazine projects for diverse audiences. By working critically with primary and secondary source material, immersing yourself in online learning methods, and demonstrating core digital and project management skills, you will evidence levels of creativity, ambition and competences sought after in graduate level professional work environments.

Communications optional modules typically include:

Journalism and PR: Critiques and Practice

This module explores the new ways of working and new modes of creativity in today's economy. Ranging across the fields of advertising, PR and journalism, you’ll interrogate the economic, psychological and sociological coordinates of the new forms of communication and media technology used in those industries, and you’ll examine the new types of creativity which have arisen as a result.

Media, Communication and Culture in East Asia

This module provides an insight into contemporary media development and cultural change in East Asia, placing this in the context of broader historical, economic and cultural debates. It will examine a wide range of media forms including print media, broadcasting, film and new media technologies, assessing their cultural impact in East Asian societies. It will explore contemporary issues of media development and policy and it will relate these to longer historical contexts.

Gender and Sexuality

Gender’ and ‘sexuality’ are familiar terms; however, they are also highly complex and contested. This module examines the ways these concepts have been theorised from a range of academic perspectives - including psychoanalysis, cultural history and feminist theory. It also orientates around three central questions: i) what is the substance of gender? ii) how do we become gendered? and iii) why do masculinity and femininity take the forms that they do and how do they change over time?

Core module

Major project

For your major project in your final year of your studies, you can choose to undertake a project in either one of your two Joint Honours subjects.

Communications Major Project

The Communications Major Project will provide you with a unique opportunity to choose a topic relevant to the field of Communications in which you have a special interest, and to explore it in depth over a sustained period of time. You can either produce a traditional, written dissertation, in which you will interrogate your chosen area of study and develop an argument of your own; or you can produce a media artefact (such as a screenplay, a podcast or a video), along with an accompanying critical analysis, in which you might explore your topic more creatively. Whichever format you choose, you will be supported throughout both by regular workshops, and by your own dissertation supervisor.

History Major Project

Apply your skills by choosing a historical issue to research independently and communicate your findings through your choice of research product. Supported by group workshops and a dedicated supervisor, you’ll explore your chosen theme creatively, and develop key skills throughout the process by pitching your ideas and presenting your findings at an exciting showcase event. Ultimately, you’ll design, manage and produce your own distinctive piece of historical research.

Humanities Research Project

The Humanities Research Project provides you with the opportunity to work with the combined knowledge and skills you have gained in each of your subjects and further develop them to create a substantial and independent piece of research. The Research Project can be fulfilled through either the writing of a dissertation or through a project in an alternative practice-based format (e.g. publication, film, (video)game, performance, report, podcast, creative writing, exhibition, web-based etc.) accompanied by a shorter essay.

Transformation: Agency and Social Change

In this module, you will engage in a 'live partnership' with a cultural festival that is designed to deliver social change through the Arts and Humanities: the Counterpoints-run initiative, Refugee Week. Over the course of the module, you will gain insight into the sociocultural challenges faced by refugees in the C21st, and will explore the work of Counterpoints Arts as an organisation that seeks to address those challenges via cultural activity. Drawing on these insights, you will work in interdisciplinary teams in order to create a Refugee Week campaign that champions positive social change in attitudes or behaviours towards refugees. Ultimately, the module invites you to consider how your disciplinary knowledge of the Humanities enables you to become a responsible global citizen, and to assume responsibility for championing positive social change, whatever your chosen career.  The main assessment for this module is the creation of a ‘campaign tool’ (blogpost, podcast, social media post series, educational pack or other, that will be presented as part of a team ‘campaign’ at the end-of-module ‘festival’. You will also complete the Developing with NTU Award.

Interdisciplinary optional modules typically include:

Artificial Intelligence: Human Factors

This module will introduce you to problems and issues associated with technological change, automation and digitization, with a specific emphasis on the likely future impact of artificial intelligence on the wider human dimension, both individual and collective. Providing you with expertise required to become managers and policy-makers in the AI future, the module will take an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on the insights of philosophers, literary theorists and practitioners, historians, and social theorists.

Humanities in Action

What is the value of 'Humanities'? Answer this question from multiple perspectives - knowledge and intellectual value, economic value, humanities and "hard" and "soft" skills, social value, the value to the individual - and find it's place in society.

History optional modules typically include:

Women and Gender in the Pre-Modern World

The medieval period encompassed a spectrum of significant changes for women and men, yet women and other social groups who lacked access to the power and learning of elite men often struggled to make their voices heard in historical sources. This course will explore a range of ‘hidden histories’ impacted by sex and gender and will examine how scholars have changed approaches to evidence in order to better understand peoples lived experiences and learn about individuals and groups who challenged social norms.

Understanding Emotions

The module is rooted in study of the past but holds significance for your present and future. You will apply insights drawn from psychology, sociology and anthropology to better understand the emotional experiences identified within historical source material and use these practices to develop your own emotional intelligence - a skill that impacts on quality of life broadly and makes an important contribution to the smooth operation of the workplace and is therefore something graduate employers look for.

Legacies and Memories of Conflict

This module focuses on the theme of conflict, its impact, and how it is remembered. Through an exploration of a range of conflicts (for example, World War 2, Israel-Palestine, Algeria, Northern Ireland), you will uncover what happened, why, and what the consequences have been. You will then examine how each of these conflicts have been remembered over time and across the different case-studies. The over-arching aim will be to understand the extent to which memories of conflict help us better make sense of our world today.

The Global Struggle for Civil and Human Rights

This module will examine the long struggle for civil and human rights within their national and transnational contexts. This will include the Black Freedom Struggle, civil rights in Northern Ireland, and anti- and de-colonial movements and moments across the globe. We will explore continuities between contemporary and historic struggles, engaging with present-day movements and current sites of activism, such as social media.

Communications optional modules typically include:

Persuasion, Promotion, Propaganda

We live in an age of systemic propaganda where the manipulation of others is normalised and sometimes even praised. Indeed, we live in time when almost all of us are propagandists through our attempts to manufacture a public images online that may or may not conform to the reality of who we really are. Through case studies from politics, business and non-profits, this module examines efforts to persuade mass audiences to think, feel and act in ways deemed desirable to the source of the communication. We will critically explore fundraising communications by charities, electioneering by politicians and political parties, and efforts by private citizens and organisations to generate attention for themselves or for the causes and interests that they represent.

Natural Futures? Global Environmental Catastrophes and the Fate of Life on Earth

This module will help you understand our contemporary environmental emergency by grasping its roots in the past, comprehending the shape it takes today, and envisioning a range of possible future scenarios for a new flourishing of life on Planet Earth. As well as exploring theoretical, political and activist perspectives on environmental catastrophe, this module will support you in becoming an imaginative agent of change in the fight to shape better global futures.

DJ Cultures: History, Theory and Technique

From obscure roots, the art of DJing has in recent decades exploded into the limelight as a major form of popular culture. No prior experience of DJing is required to take this module, which combines a basic ‘taster’ introduction to DJ technology and the practical techniques of DJ performance with a theoretical consideration of various styles of DJing, their histories, their related musical experiences and their wider cultural significance and influence.

Self in Crisis: Power, Prejudice and Otherness

This module brings together debates which contend that, in various ways, contemporary selfhood is in a profound state of crisis. One part explores the idea that the very concept of the self – which, for so long, has sat at the very heart of the humanities - is itself problematic. Another considers the troubling of contemporary selfhood in more existential terms; that is, in terms of people’s actual lives and experiences. Here, special emphasis is placed on the status of mental illness and the roles of psychiatry and psychotherapy.

Advertising, Journalism and the PR Project

This module explores contemporary communication industries through the concept of ‘convergence’. This idea refers to the way in which individuals working in areas such as advertising, PR and journalism increasingly have to take on a variety of roles which cut across the traditional boundaries of each sector, and need to learn to use a variety of working practices and technologies as a result. The module culminates in you developing a PR project..

What's New: the Future of Media Communications

This module looks at innovations and challenges that face media communications professionals as they look to the future. Using practical assessments such as blog writing, producing a radio advertisement and making an audio slideshow, students will advance their media skills in preparation for future employment as digital, multi-media producers. You will examine the issues, ideas and debates which contemporary journalism and marketing have to engage with, such as the funding and accessibility of news on the internet, the nature and trends of popular content, new styles and forms of presentation and the blurring of fantasy and reality in digital communications.

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How you’re taught

How will I learn?

Teaching takes a variety of forms and during your degree you will experience many different types of learning activities. Some of our modules are delivered entirely online, allowing you the flexibility to study at a time that is convenient to you. Other modules use interactive lectures and workshops that are supplemented by smaller group sessions, including:

  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • problem-solving workshops
  • training workshops
  • hands-on practice
  • group projects and presentations
  • guest speakers
  • field work

You will also be able to take part in lots of extra-curricular activities outside your course, including debating, research seminars, student challenges, Sustainability and careers training, sports, student societies and much, much more.

Contact hours

  • Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%), work-like experience (7%(), independent study (69%)*
  • Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%), work-like experience (7%(), independent study (69%)*
  • Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%), work-like experience (7%(), independent study (73%)*

All Arts and Humanities students will complete a minimum of 240 hours of work like experience over the three years of the course

* Based on a taught module pathway. Statistics will vary depending on optional modules, work experience, and pathways chosen.

Study abroad in Year Two

You’ll have the option to take part in an international exchange at a partner university in the second half of Year Two. This will enable you to gain impressive international experience, and broaden your perspective and career ambitions.

You’ll experience other cultures, travel the globe and open your eyes to a world of opportunities. Our exchange partnership with a number of international universities enables you to live and study in another country in your second year. Find out more about international exchange and study abroad.

Learn a new language

Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn another new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can enhance your communication skills, enrich your experience when travelling abroad and boost your career prospects. Find out more about the University Language Programme.

Supporting you

If you’re struggling with a topic or require additional support or guidance, you can arrange to see your tutors in small groups or one-to-one, to discuss essay plans or to seek some specific academic guidance.

It is the nature of the subjects offered in the School of Arts and Humanities, however, that much of your time will be spent engaged in independent study. We recognise that this marks a change of culture from school or college, and we have in place a system of study support to help you adapt to this.

Staff Profiles

Kevin Gould - Principal Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Kevin Gould is a Principal Lecturer in Late Medieval/Early Modern History (European), and Programme Leader for Single Honours History.

Steven King - Professor of Economic and Social History

School of Arts & Humanities

Steven King is an historian of welfare, past present and future, with related interests in demography, medical history, disability, and inequality.

Jenny Wüstenberg - Professor

School of Arts & Humanities

Jenny Wüstenberg is Professor History & Memory Studies and Director of the Research Centre on Public History, Heritage and Memory (PHHM).

John McCallum - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Dr McCallum is a senior lecturer in History, and Course Leader for the BA History degree.

Sergio Lussana - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Sergio Lussana

Amy Fuller - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Amy Fuller

Natasha Hodgson - Associate Professor

School of Arts & Humanities

Natasha Hodgson

Nicholas Morton - Associate Professor

School of Arts & Humanities

Nicholas Morton

Lizbeth Powell - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Lizbeth Powell is a Senior Lecturer in the History, Heritage and Global Cultures Department

Matt Connell - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Matt Connell

Colin Alexander (Dr) - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Dr. Colin Alexander is Senior Lecturer in Political Communications within the Communication and Society subject team at the School of Arts and Humanities

Tao Zhang - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Tao Zhang

Andreas Wittel - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Andreas Wittel

Nigel Edley - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Nigel Edley

How you’re assessed

Assessments take place within each module and the type of assessment will be related to what the module covers, and what you are learning in it.

Our approach to assessments is very diverse and although you will still produce written assignments like reports and essays many of our modules ask you to produce a creative element. These include blogs or social media campaigns, exhibitions, posters and other visual assessments, podcasts and videos. These are designed to ensure that you are building a portfolio of evidence and creative and communications skills to give you a head start in finding your perfect job after graduation.

Whatever the type of assessment, we will ensure that it will develop your skills, confidence and CV to fulfil both your academic and longer term potential.

  • Year 1 coursework (67%), written (16%), oral assessment (17%)
  • Year 2 coursework (85%), oral assessment (15%)
  • Year 3 coursework (84%), oral assessment (16%)

* Based on a taught module pathway. Statistics will vary depending on optional modules, work experience, and pathways chosen.

Careers and employability

Your career development

This is a major part of the curriculum, recognising the importance of University study as a route into graduate level careers. We don’t expect you to have a target career from the outset, but we will support you to develop your career aspirations, and provide multiple opportunities for you to work towards this, during your degree.

The structure of your degree, the assessments that you will undertake, and the opportunities we provide are designed to help you develop key transferable skills and competencies demanded by employers. We work very closely with a range of employers, and many employers helped shape our degrees. Our courses provide lots of opportunities for you to develop your own links with organisations and potential employers.

Joint honours humanities students develop a wide range of complementary skills. These include key skills of communication, project management, analysis, creativity, digital skills, collaboration and leadership, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and inclusivity. Through this course you’ll become more confident and self-motivated, be able to work independently and in teams, and develop excellent time management skills.

This course can lead to a broad range of potential career destinations, including social media analyst, intelligence, management consultant, public relations officer, industrial relations officer and various roles in the cultural sectors.

Many graduates also choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.

Campus and facilities

Here are some of the free services, student discount and benefits you'll get studying at NTU

We've carefully considered what benefits and services you need for your studies, so when you join NTU you'll get free printing and materials credits, access to our free WiFi, a copy of Microsoft Office, and even borrow a laptop if yours is out of commission.

For life outside your lectures, you'll enjoy access to over 60 sports clubs and 130 student societies, discounted travel and bike hire, free language learning, award-winning student support and an entertainment programme which is second to none.

See all the benefits and free services you will enjoy as an NTU student.

Books and library resources

In our library you’ll have access to an extensive and diverse range of books including those on your reading list.

The library's online resources and NTU Online Workspace (NOW) also provides digital access to the core resources for your modules and a wide range of specialist collections, texts, and databases

Nottingham Trent University has its own Blackwell’s Bookshop which stocks relevant academic texts plus a wide range of bestselling novels.

IT Resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the campus, with PCs providing access to: Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services (with a free printing allowance for each student). Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.

Societies

Current students run societies in a range of Humanities and Arts subjects including History, Medieval, Film, Filmmaking, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, and the Book society.

There are also a number of media channels which our students get involved in such as the NTU radio station FlyLive, our student magazine Platform, and TV station TrentTV.

Find out more about student societies at the Student Union website.

Entry requirements

  • Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
  • Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.

Contextual offers

A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.

Other qualifications and experience

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

You will need the equivalent to:

  • 112 UCAS tariff points from four A-levels or equivalent qualifications

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

Please see our fees page for more information.

Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

Paying fees

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can.

Full-time courses

For the full-time route just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow our step-by-step guide.

UCAS CODE: LV31

NTU Code: N91

Part-time courses

If you're applying for the part-time route please apply online using the NTU Applicant Portal.

Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.

Keeping up-to-date

After you've applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

Need help with your application?

For admissions related enquiries please contact us:

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 4200

Ask us a question

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

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