History BA at uni:whats it really like?
Hey is there anyone out there who can give me some sort of advise as to how different A Level History is to Degree level? Is it more breadth or depth? Im a bit confused as to the difference also between a lecture and tutorial!
Complete novice here but i really enjoy History at A Level and am applying to do it at uni just wanted to hear whats it like from those who actually do it pls!!
Thanks
Complete novice here but i really enjoy History at A Level and am applying to do it at uni just wanted to hear whats it like from those who actually do it pls!!
Thanks
Scroll to see replies
You cannot compare A-level History to a BA in History - is the short answer.
Everything you are taught at A-level will go out the window, you won't even need your notes!!!! I personally feel that A-level History does not prepare you for degree level History. I've used the skills I gained at GCSE far far more than the pathetic crap I had at A-level.
What you'll find at degree level is that you are allowed to write what you want on whatever subject you want. You'll also develop your OWN writing style which I could probably say that it will not be anything like your A-level "must write the key points to get the objectives on the mark scheme" - at degree level, you can write what the hell you like as long as you can argue it well and back it up.
It's far far broader and deeper than A-level (that goes for any degree/A-level subject comparison). You'll be able to study topics that arn't taught in schools for example. I've been able to study areas from 1300s right up to the present day & present theoretical topics as well.
It's a completely different set up which is utterly fantastic im my opinion. I'll stop now
A lecture is where you are sat in a room or lecture hall and the lecturer talks on a certain subject for however long a time. You take notes and there is the chance to answer questions/ask questions but not always.
Tutorials tend to be either one on one or very small groups where you discuss the readings and sometimes your own work with a tutor.
Seminars are smaller groups where you discuss and debate the readings etc.
Everything you are taught at A-level will go out the window, you won't even need your notes!!!! I personally feel that A-level History does not prepare you for degree level History. I've used the skills I gained at GCSE far far more than the pathetic crap I had at A-level.
What you'll find at degree level is that you are allowed to write what you want on whatever subject you want. You'll also develop your OWN writing style which I could probably say that it will not be anything like your A-level "must write the key points to get the objectives on the mark scheme" - at degree level, you can write what the hell you like as long as you can argue it well and back it up.
It's far far broader and deeper than A-level (that goes for any degree/A-level subject comparison). You'll be able to study topics that arn't taught in schools for example. I've been able to study areas from 1300s right up to the present day & present theoretical topics as well.
It's a completely different set up which is utterly fantastic im my opinion. I'll stop now
A lecture is where you are sat in a room or lecture hall and the lecturer talks on a certain subject for however long a time. You take notes and there is the chance to answer questions/ask questions but not always.
Tutorials tend to be either one on one or very small groups where you discuss the readings and sometimes your own work with a tutor.
Seminars are smaller groups where you discuss and debate the readings etc.
vickytoria77
You cannot compare A-level History to a BA in History - is the short answer.
Everything you are taught at A-level will go out the window, you won't even need your notes!!!! I personally feel that A-level History does not prepare you for degree level History. I've used the skills I gained at GCSE far far more than the pathetic crap I had at A-level.
What you'll find at degree level is that you are allowed to write what you want on whatever subject you want. You'll also develop your OWN writing style which I could probably say that it will not be anything like your A-level "must write the key points to get the objectives on the mark scheme" - at degree level, you can write what the hell you like as long as you can argue it well and back it up.
It's far far broader and deeper than A-level (that goes for any degree/A-level subject comparison). You'll be able to study topics that arn't taught in schools for example. I've been able to study areas from 1300s right up to the present day & present theoretical topics as well.
It's a completely different set up which is utterly fantastic im my opinion. I'll stop now
A lecture is where you are sat in a room or lecture hall and the lecturer talks on a certain subject for however long a time. You take notes and there is the chance to answer questions/ask questions but not always.
Tutorials tend to be either one on one or very small groups where you discuss the readings and sometimes your own work with a tutor.
Seminars are smaller groups where you discuss and debate the readings etc.
Everything you are taught at A-level will go out the window, you won't even need your notes!!!! I personally feel that A-level History does not prepare you for degree level History. I've used the skills I gained at GCSE far far more than the pathetic crap I had at A-level.
What you'll find at degree level is that you are allowed to write what you want on whatever subject you want. You'll also develop your OWN writing style which I could probably say that it will not be anything like your A-level "must write the key points to get the objectives on the mark scheme" - at degree level, you can write what the hell you like as long as you can argue it well and back it up.
It's far far broader and deeper than A-level (that goes for any degree/A-level subject comparison). You'll be able to study topics that arn't taught in schools for example. I've been able to study areas from 1300s right up to the present day & present theoretical topics as well.
It's a completely different set up which is utterly fantastic im my opinion. I'll stop now
A lecture is where you are sat in a room or lecture hall and the lecturer talks on a certain subject for however long a time. You take notes and there is the chance to answer questions/ask questions but not always.
Tutorials tend to be either one on one or very small groups where you discuss the readings and sometimes your own work with a tutor.
Seminars are smaller groups where you discuss and debate the readings etc.
Thanks for the info very informative! Looking forward to hopefully getting a place 4 history 2008!and what you told me has just confirmed why i wana do a degree 4 3 years!!
Thanks
vickytoria77
You cannot compare A-level History to a BA in History - is the short answer.
Everything you are taught at A-level will go out the window, you won't even need your notes!!!! I personally feel that A-level History does not prepare you for degree level History. I've used the skills I gained at GCSE far far more than the pathetic crap I had at A-level.
What you'll find at degree level is that you are allowed to write what you want on whatever subject you want. You'll also develop your OWN writing style which I could probably say that it will not be anything like your A-level "must write the key points to get the objectives on the mark scheme" - at degree level, you can write what the hell you like as long as you can argue it well and back it up.
It's far far broader and deeper than A-level (that goes for any degree/A-level subject comparison). You'll be able to study topics that arn't taught in schools for example. I've been able to study areas from 1300s right up to the present day & present theoretical topics as well.
It's a completely different set up which is utterly fantastic im my opinion. I'll stop now
A lecture is where you are sat in a room or lecture hall and the lecturer talks on a certain subject for however long a time. You take notes and there is the chance to answer questions/ask questions but not always.
Tutorials tend to be either one on one or very small groups where you discuss the readings and sometimes your own work with a tutor.
Seminars are smaller groups where you discuss and debate the readings etc.
Everything you are taught at A-level will go out the window, you won't even need your notes!!!! I personally feel that A-level History does not prepare you for degree level History. I've used the skills I gained at GCSE far far more than the pathetic crap I had at A-level.
What you'll find at degree level is that you are allowed to write what you want on whatever subject you want. You'll also develop your OWN writing style which I could probably say that it will not be anything like your A-level "must write the key points to get the objectives on the mark scheme" - at degree level, you can write what the hell you like as long as you can argue it well and back it up.
It's far far broader and deeper than A-level (that goes for any degree/A-level subject comparison). You'll be able to study topics that arn't taught in schools for example. I've been able to study areas from 1300s right up to the present day & present theoretical topics as well.
It's a completely different set up which is utterly fantastic im my opinion. I'll stop now
A lecture is where you are sat in a room or lecture hall and the lecturer talks on a certain subject for however long a time. You take notes and there is the chance to answer questions/ask questions but not always.
Tutorials tend to be either one on one or very small groups where you discuss the readings and sometimes your own work with a tutor.
Seminars are smaller groups where you discuss and debate the readings etc.
I disagree slightly where you say that it is not entirely like A level. In the most part it is, as you say, very different especially in the way that you are not fed the information like you are at A level. However, I did an individual assignment for A level and found that the experience of doing this was very helpful particularly when I was making the transition from A level to degree level. I think that this was mainly due to the fact that it was a lot closer to how you work when composing an essay at university and we had to lay it out very much in the same way, for example, using references. Although, if you haven't done this at A level then I would agree that it is very different.
sheryl06
I disagree slightly where you say that it is not entirely like A level. In the most part it is, as you say, very different especially in the way that you are not fed the information like you are at A level. However, I did an individual assignment for A level and found that the experience of doing this was very helpful particularly when I was making the transition from A level to degree level. I think that this was mainly due to the fact that it was a lot closer to how you work when composing an essay at university and we had to lay it out very much in the same way, for example, using references. Although, if you haven't done this at A level then I would agree that it is very different.
I didn't do anything like that at A-level - we didn't do coursework
history at degree is all about breadth rather than depth iv found. soooo much reading.
It depends where you study it. For me, its like producing A Level coursework, to a much higher standard, with twice as much work in a fraction of the time every single week.
Everything will change from A Level:
- You'll abandon balanced conclusions, you'll stop hiding behind other historians and you'll be forced to find your own argument and argue the **** out of it.
- You'll probably never read a book from cover-to-cover again, you'll skim: 'raid, not read. Dip in, plunder' as we have been told.
- You'll be told just how much of a doss subject you're studying and yet you'll be sat in the library working long after the scientists are tucked up in bed or down the pub.
- You'll begin to hate the last two days before your deadline as you know its going to be hell.
- You'll start to wonder what these 'lecture' things actually are, and whether you should have maybe attended some.
- You'll continually curse your lack of motivation at the start of the week, and vow to do things differently on the next essay, and then never actually follow through.
- You'll have some of the most amazing academic experiences of your life, and leave supervisions with a smile on your face which, if you could perhaps even attempt to explain it to a normal person, would have you labelled a complete geek. But you won't care.
- You will be wrong, a lot. Even when you've written well and produced a perfect essay, you will be wrong. You will be asked to become an expert on a subject, create an argument and dismiss the ideas of eminent historians, who have spent more than 20 years researching your essay subject, in under a week.
- You'll yearn for the days when you could knock off at 4pm and go home and simply forget about work. You'll always have that essay at the back of your head, and for eight weeks it won't ever feel like you've had a day off.
- Sitting in the library at 1am writing your essay will feel normal, if incredibly annoying.
- A hangover will no longer be an excuse to lie in bed all day, it'll be an excuse to moan while doing work.
Or at least that's my experience so far, quite a few are probably exclusive to Cambridge. It's hard, it's challenging and it's frustrating, but it's ****ing awesome.
Everything will change from A Level:
- You'll abandon balanced conclusions, you'll stop hiding behind other historians and you'll be forced to find your own argument and argue the **** out of it.
- You'll probably never read a book from cover-to-cover again, you'll skim: 'raid, not read. Dip in, plunder' as we have been told.
- You'll be told just how much of a doss subject you're studying and yet you'll be sat in the library working long after the scientists are tucked up in bed or down the pub.
- You'll begin to hate the last two days before your deadline as you know its going to be hell.
- You'll start to wonder what these 'lecture' things actually are, and whether you should have maybe attended some.
- You'll continually curse your lack of motivation at the start of the week, and vow to do things differently on the next essay, and then never actually follow through.
- You'll have some of the most amazing academic experiences of your life, and leave supervisions with a smile on your face which, if you could perhaps even attempt to explain it to a normal person, would have you labelled a complete geek. But you won't care.
- You will be wrong, a lot. Even when you've written well and produced a perfect essay, you will be wrong. You will be asked to become an expert on a subject, create an argument and dismiss the ideas of eminent historians, who have spent more than 20 years researching your essay subject, in under a week.
- You'll yearn for the days when you could knock off at 4pm and go home and simply forget about work. You'll always have that essay at the back of your head, and for eight weeks it won't ever feel like you've had a day off.
- Sitting in the library at 1am writing your essay will feel normal, if incredibly annoying.
- A hangover will no longer be an excuse to lie in bed all day, it'll be an excuse to moan while doing work.
Or at least that's my experience so far, quite a few are probably exclusive to Cambridge. It's hard, it's challenging and it's frustrating, but it's ****ing awesome.
3232
It depends where you study it. For me, its like producing A Level coursework, to a much higher standard, with twice as much work in a fraction of the time every single week.
Everything will change from A Level:
Everything will change from A Level:
It's all true!
- You'll yearn for the days when you could knock off at 4pm and go home and simply forget about work. You'll always have that essay at the back of your head, and for eight weeks it won't ever feel like you've had a day off.
Seriously- get a weekend! I arranged my supervisions on a Friday last year, so I could legitimately do no history (but plenty of rowing and sound engineering) over the weekend. I've tried the whole working a little bit over 7 days thing, and it's just not worth it- 5 hardcore days to get all the reading and writing done, and then a REAL weekend, work best IMO. It'll decrease your stress no end.
****
A day in the life of a finalist:
-7am: Woken up by girlfriend getting up to head back to London and her 9-5 job. Turn over and go back to sleep.
9:30: realise that the 10am lecture, a 30 minute walk away, is now off the cards. Didn't do any work yesterday, so resolve to get up and work in the morning.
10:00: drag self out of bed. Breakfast, etc.
11:00-13:00 play computer games, with a folder of work open at my desk. Plan on working "in a minute..."
13:30: go to Sainsbury's for lunch, get sandwich, take it back to room and heat up. Resolve to eat sandwich and lunch whilst working. Go on TSR instead.
15:00: Finally start to do some work.
17:30: Finish the work I'd wanted to do. Result! Play some games to celebrate.
19:30: Decide dinner is a good idea. Go to Starbucks. Work by annotating photocopies.
21:30: Go to library. Work some more.
23:00: Leave library. Watch "Have I Got News For You" in the common room whilst writing an article for college newspaper.
00:20: Leave common room. Go back to room, go on TSR.
01:30: Bed.
No work in the day, all in the evening- leading to a cycle of going to bed later and later and getting up later, etc etc...3232
You'll have some of the most amazing academic experiences of your life, and leave supervisions with a smile on your face which, if you could perhaps even attempt to explain it to a normal person, would have you labelled a complete geek. But you won't care.
I've done that at work - I just got started at and barely spoken to for the rest of the day
I feel more scared about Uni than I ever have in my life!
Urgh. Thanks guys....
Urgh. Thanks guys....
Lottie
My life as a history student involves too much socialising & not enough working.
I'd agree with that one too, my 21st birthday on Wednesday (and a complete lack of motivation and too much time spent doing absolutely nothing but hang out with mates) has left me with two and a half days to write my essay and only one and a half books read so far (out of seven books and three articles). I'm gutted that I'm having to miss a night out with a drinking society where I could be quite happily destroying several thousand of my brain cells while acting a complete tit, and instead will be sat in the library, like a geek.
I should probably go to the library to work but I can't face the social humiliation of having to walk past the people in the bar to get there.
Instead I am in my room making the same mistakes I've made with the other three essays I've written since getting here and feeling thoroughly lost.
Instead I am in my room making the same mistakes I've made with the other three essays I've written since getting here and feeling thoroughly lost.
You will never finish your reading, and so consequently never feel on top of anything. I've just beasted out an essay which is all bluff and no substance, even after gutting 7 books. It had a communist slant to it. However, my tutor founded UKIP and is right of Attila the Hun so Im not expecting to do well.
legendrower
You will never finish your reading, and so consequently never feel on top of anything. I've just beasted out an essay which is all bluff and no substance, even after gutting 7 books. It had a communist slant to it. However, my tutor founded UKIP and is right of Attila the Hun so Im not expecting to do well.
So true.
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