BA History with Foundation
About this course
BA (Hons) History with Foundation, a history degree covering over five centuries of British, American, and world history with an integrated foundation year. Core topics include Research Methods, Historical Research, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Design & Creative Practice. The four-year course includes an optional placement year and an optional year abroad. The course begins with Year 0 foundations through Academic Foundations, Independent Project, Imagining the Past, and Literature, History and Visual Cultures. The first year introduces historical methods and global themes through What is History?, America from Settlement to Empire, World History since 1850, and Fractured Isles: Britain and Ireland 1640-1990. Year 2 prepares students for advanced research through Preparing for Dissertation Research, alongside optional modules such as Heritage and Public History, The Longest War; Britain, Ireland and the Troubles 1949-2006, and Tudor and Stuart Britain. The final year centres on the History Dissertation alongside optional modules covering topics such as The Irish Revolution 1912-37, The Civil Rights Movement, and Modern Japan: Transforming Empire and Identity at the Edge.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: 32 UCAS tariff points. BTEC National Extended Diploma: PPP. All Access courses: Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma. T level: Pass in any subject. International Baccalaureate: 24 points overall. Other qualifications: Other combinations and non-A level qualifications also considered. We are looking for applicants with good potential, including with non-standard qualifications and backgrounds, so will consider every application on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions or concerns about meeting the entry requirements listed above, we encourage you to contact the Admissions team on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk , and a member of the team will be able to offer you further advice.
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What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 21 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Skilled trades occupations: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Engineering professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 140 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 7%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 63%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Access course: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Placement Year
- Academic Foundations
- Independent Project
- Imagining the Past
- Literature, History and Visual Cultures
- What is History?
- America from Settlement to Empire
- World History since 1850
- Fractured Isles: Britain and Ireland 1640-1990
- History and Heritage
- Talking History<>Seeing History: Introduction to Visual and Oral History
- Preparing for Dissertation Research
- Heritage and Public History
- The Longest War; Britain, Ireland and the Troubles 1949-2006
- Culture and Society in Britain c. 1760-1914
- The American Century: The United States, 1900-2000
- Royal Navy in the Age of Sail, 1545-1815
- Stage 2 Professional Development, Placement Preparation and identifying opportunities
- Research Methods in Visual Sources, Oral History and Memory Studies
- Tudor and Stuart Britain
- History Dissertation
- The Irish Revolution 1912-37
- Filth and the Victorians
- The Civil Rights Movement
- Modern Japan: Transforming Empire and Identity at the Edge
- Heritage and Public History
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History with Foundation at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £31,500. The £25,500 median after five years is £5,000 less than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA History with Foundation at University of Plymouth do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA History with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA History with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 70 UCAS points.
Does BA History with Foundation at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA History with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.