Oxford History Students and Applicants

OP

Original post by whenjokersattack

Hi, planning to apply this year, and am currently looking at all the different colleges, and trying to choose one.
I know everyone on here currently at oxford is probably gonna be pretty biased, but if people could give info on the small differences between colleges for history then that would be great :smile:

Even just small things, like what the tutors are like, how well stocked is your college library on history books, (those sorts of things) or anything else you think makes a slight difference at all!
Thanks

Hey

The fact that all colleges offer History is both a blessing and a curse - when I was first sat looking at the prospectus part of me kind of wished I had a shorter list to pick from. But ultimately you really don't need to worry too much about picking a college on any History-specific criteria - you'll be taught by tutors who specialise in your chosen time periods, either in college or elsewhere. The individual specialisations of your tutors really isn't important.

I chose my college based on a couple of main criteria.
1) Location - I wanted somewhere central. I can get to lectures at Exam Schools (on the High Street), the Bodleian and the History Faculty all in less than five minutes, and that's a very leisurely pace.
2) College library - really well-stocked for most of the main History papers and the librarian has bought me tonnes of extra books during my time here. Plus it's open 24 hours a day, which means I can write my essays whenever suits me and my social life.
3) Accommodation - I wanted somewhere that gave me accommodation for the entirety of my course, and I could have lived on the central site for all three years if I had wanted to.
4) Size - I liked the idea of a smaller community :dontknow:

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I've loved it. Just very friendly and good for getting involved in sports and the like.
5) Old/pretty - I'm only human. But I didn't want to live in a tourist trap like Christ Church. I like being able to wander around in my pyjamas.
6) Tutors - not in terms of what they specialise in, but I really liked the tutors I met when I came on an open day and in my time here have come to realise that I was quite lucky in my choice. I've obviously no equivalent experience of tutors at other colleges, but mine really seem to give a damn about the students and want us to do well.

So basically don't stress out about the History part to start off with. I'd suggest picking a couple of main criteria, picking out a handful of possibles and come to an open day, as that's the best way to help you decide. Try to narrow it down to 4-5 tops for an open day I reckon - I've helped out at a few open days now and the people who have raced around 10+ are always just ridiculously stressed out.

Reply 623

Hi, I'm think I *might* get attacked for asking this, because I'm not sure it's in exactly the right place, or if it will get replies, but I'm currently trying to chose between the following courses, as I'll hopefully be applying later this year (if I get 4As :biggrin:

)....I'm doing AS Biology, English Lit. History and Theology & Ethics and I'm finding it really diffcult to choose what to study :s-smilie:

I'm really interested in literature, art and history and the study of people - but I've only ever studied modern history and a unit of 1066 & the Norman Conquest (AS level)- so nothing on Ancient Greece, Rome or Eygpt!

Does this mean I probably shouldn't apply for any of the courses involving Ancient history? Or will they be more interested in someone's capacity for studying history as a whole?

Courses I am considering:

Archaeology and Anthropology
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
*History
*History (Ancient and Modern)

* I'm thinking more about these two because I don't know what I want to do when I'm older and they seem more open/flexible? :confused:

Any thoughts? Anyone studying any of these courses and able to explain more clearly the difference between them or what they like/ dislike/think about them? :smile:

Reply 624

Bezzler

Original post by Niki_girl

Hi, I'm think I *might* get attacked for asking this, because I'm not sure it's in exactly the right place, or if it will get replies, but I'm currently trying to chose between the following courses, as I'll hopefully be applying later this year (if I get 4As :biggrin:

)....I'm doing AS Biology, English Lit. History and Theology & Ethics and I'm finding it really diffcult to choose what to study :s-smilie:

I'm really interested in literature, art and history and the study of people - but I've only ever studied modern history and a unit of 1066 & the Norman Conquest (AS level)- so nothing on Ancient Greece, Rome or Eygpt!

Does this mean I probably shouldn't apply for any of the courses involving Ancient history? Or will they be more interested in someone's capacity for studying history as a whole?

Courses I am considering:

Archaeology and Anthropology
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
*History
*History (Ancient and Modern)

* I'm thinking more about these two because I don't know what I want to do when I'm older and they seem more open/flexible? :confused:

Any thoughts? Anyone studying any of these courses and able to explain more clearly the difference between them or what they like/ dislike/think about them? :smile:

I can't help you *too* much, I'm afraid, but a girl at Merton is studying history and seems to do quite a lot of history of art, and has written her dissertation on something to do with it. The history course is generally quite flexible after the first year, I think. Actual historians will be able to help you more though!

Reply 625

OP

Original post by Bezzler

I can't help you *too* much, I'm afraid, but a girl at Merton is studying history and seems to do quite a lot of history of art, and has written her dissertation on something to do with it. The history course is generally quite flexible after the first year, I think. Actual historians will be able to help you more though!

I can confirm that the History course is indeed very flexible in many respects. I studied a paper in my first year that had an Austen novel as one of the main texts (along with some other late 18th/early 19th century female authors) and one of my best History friends has done several art history papers. But even papers like these are still have History very much as the central focus, so you need to be sure that that is what you want to study.

I don't think you necessarily need to have studied ancient history at school in order to make an application, but you will need to demonstrate to tutors that you are genuinely interested in it. Where is it that your interest comes from?

Reply 626

Original post by Bezzler

I can't help you *too* much, I'm afraid, but a girl at Merton is studying history and seems to do quite a lot of history of art, and has written her dissertation on something to do with it. The history course is generally quite flexible after the first year, I think. Actual historians will be able to help you more though!

Thank you! Good to know :smile:

Reply 627

Original post by Mook

I can confirm that the History course is indeed very flexible in many respects. I studied a paper in my first year that had an Austen novel as one of the main texts (along with some other late 18th/early 19th century female authors) and one of my best History friends has done several art history papers. But even papers like these are still have History very much as the central focus, so you need to be sure that that is what you want to study.

I don't think you necessarily need to have studied ancient history at school in order to make an application, but you will need to demonstrate to tutors that you are genuinely interested in it. Where is it that your interest comes from?

Basically from reading books outside of school, to do with the history and culture of the ancient world, particularly Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger's "The Year 1000" and some books on the history of political thought, relating to Plato and Aristotle, which I linked to my Theology & Ethics course - and the concept of Greek tragedy and stuff that I was interested in and sort of linked it to my AS English Literature course. I guess really I've had more experience with modern history, which I really enjoy (French Revolution :smile:

) but what is the distinction between a History and a History (Ancient and Modern) degree? How far back is "ancient"? Can you choose to study modules that you've had no experience of?

I'm liking the sound of the course, especially with some of Jane Austen! I'm mainly interested in History, but I want to keep my options open and so would like a course that would include some history of art, and some good module choice - I think I will keep History as my central focus though, as from what you've described it sounds very flexible! :rolleyes:

Reply 628

Bezzler

Original post by Niki_girl

Basically from reading books outside of school, to do with the history and culture of the ancient world, particularly Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger's "The Year 1000" and some books on the history of political thought, relating to Plato and Aristotle, which I linked to my Theology & Ethics course - and the concept of Greek tragedy and stuff that I was interested in and sort of linked it to my AS English Literature course. I guess really I've had more experience with modern history, which I really enjoy (French Revolution :smile:

) but what is the distinction between a History and a History (Ancient and Modern) degree? How far back is "ancient"? Can you choose to study modules that you've had no experience of?

I'm liking the sound of the course, especially with some of Jane Austen! I'm mainly interested in History, but I want to keep my options open and so would like a course that would include some history of art, and some good module choice - I think I will keep History as my central focus though, as from what you've described it sounds very flexible! :rolleyes:

Also, there's a guy at Merton who started off as History, and then switched to Ancient and Modern at the end of his first year. So these things are always quite flexible.

rkd

x

Reply 629

OP

Original post by Niki_girl

I guess really I've had more experience with modern history, which I really enjoy (French Revolution :smile:

) but what is the distinction between a History and a History (Ancient and Modern) degree? How far back is "ancient"? Can you choose to study modules that you've had no experience of?

I'm liking the sound of the course, especially with some of Jane Austen! I'm mainly interested in History, but I want to keep my options open and so would like a course that would include some history of art, and some good module choice - I think I will keep History as my central focus though, as from what you've described it sounds very flexible! :rolleyes:

All of the information regarding the various course structures are easily available on the History Faculty website (there's a direct link in the first post of this thread) but off the top of my head I think that the modern History course only really goes back as far as the fall of the Roman Empire. If you want to study Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece then the Ancient and Modern is probably more up your street.

Once you start your course, you are typically encouraged (particularly in your first year) to study papers from periods which you are unfamiliar with. Most tutors are more than aware that the majority of schools will do modern options for GCSE and A level, so will ask their incoming freshers to try something new. I ended up doing early modern and medieval options in my first year, both of which were totally unfamiliar to me.

If you're already reading books on Ancient history in your spare time then you're not really under any immediate pressure to make a decision just yet. Do some proper research into the courses, come along to a college open day in the summer (most will include meetings with subject tutors and current students, where you'll be able to ask any questions) and then pin down what you want to do.

Reply 630

Original post by Bezzler

Also, there's a guy at Merton who started off as History, and then switched to Ancient and Modern at the end of his first year. So these things are always quite flexible.

Original post by Mook

All of the information regarding the various course structures are easily available on the History Faculty website (there's a direct link in the first post of this thread) but off the top of my head I think that the modern History course only really goes back as far as the fall of the Roman Empire. If you want to study Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece then the Ancient and Modern is probably more up your street.

Once you start your course, you are typically encouraged (particularly in your first year) to study papers from periods which you are unfamiliar with. Most tutors are more than aware that the majority of schools will do modern options for GCSE and A level, so will ask their incoming freshers to try something new. I ended up doing early modern and medieval options in my first year, both of which were totally unfamiliar to me.

If you're already reading books on Ancient history in your spare time then you're not really under any immediate pressure to make a decision just yet. Do some proper research into the courses, come along to a college open day in the summer (most will include meetings with subject tutors and current students, where you'll be able to ask any questions) and then pin down what you want to do.

Thanks, this has reassured me that I don't have to panic about making a decision immediately, as I'm terribly indecisive :colondollar:

I'll be sure to read through all of the course structures carefully and book an open day!

Reply 631

Lumi Nous

Current history students, do you happen to still have the reading list you were given for the summer before you started? I'm keen to get started and decide which modules and elements of history interest me most (I need to get out of my 20th century-focussed comfort zone)

Hertford's reading list would be particularly helpful, but I'm not particularly fussed - St Peters still has theirs up on their website from last year which has provided some good ideas already :smile:

Reply 632

OP

Original post by Lumi Nous

Current history students, do you happen to still have the reading list you were given for the summer before you started? I'm keen to get started and decide which modules and elements of history interest me most (I need to get out of my 20th century-focussed comfort zone)

Hertford's reading list would be particularly helpful, but I'm not particularly fussed - St Peters still has theirs up on their website from last year which has provided some good ideas already :smile:

Best place for you to start are the course bibliographies - they're easily available on the Faculty website if you go into the current students section (or click on the second link on the very first post of this thread). Most of the bibliographies will have an 'introductory' or 'survey' section, which is probably where you're best off looking.

Tutors in general don't tend to send out reading lists until after you've chosen your options.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 633

pirieca

Original post by Lumi Nous

Current history students, do you happen to still have the reading list you were given for the summer before you started? I'm keen to get started and decide which modules and elements of history interest me most (I need to get out of my 20th century-focussed comfort zone)

Hertford's reading list would be particularly helpful, but I'm not particularly fussed - St Peters still has theirs up on their website from last year which has provided some good ideas already :smile:

Hi, I'm a hertford first year historian, and I actually do still have the reading list from over the summer. It's miraculously the only sheet of paper i managed to file in a place i would possibly find in the future.

the list essentially started with the options you'll have the opportunity to do in the first term. As the tutor who will take you for british history (your first topic) is Christopher Tyerman, who specialises in medieval history, you'll have the choice of the periods of 500-1087, and 1042-1330. the other option you are given is the other module you'll do in the first term, and which will carry into 2nd term, either historiography (basically the study of writers) or a foreign text one, in which you have to have a high level of German or French understanding to do (only options hertford offers)

I can only give you recommendations on the 2nd period of british history, as its the one i did, but there are 3 books me and the other historians found ourselves using the most, and are probably the most useful on the reading list: David Carpenter, The Struggle for Mastery, Clancy's book, England and its rulers (best starting one probably), and R.R. Davies, The First English Empire.

But please don't worry about the pre-reading, our batch of historians barely did any in term, let alone before, and you still happily get by. they won't be expecting as much of you in first term as they do later, so nothing to stress about.

Any other questions just give me a shout

Reply 634

Lumi Nous