University of Brighton
Contemporary History
Brighton and Hove, England, United Kingdom · UCAS V140
Level
Bachelor
Duration
3 years
Campus
Brighton
Intl. Tuition
£17,796 (Fee 2026-27 · 2027-28 not yet published)
Home Tuition
£10,050 (regulated maximum, 2027-28)
Intake
September 2027
UCAS code
V140
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Course Overview
Contemporary History at University of Brighton in Brighton and Hove, England, United Kingdom is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
History graduates develop research, critical analysis and writing skills valued across journalism, policy, the civil service, publishing, law and education. Many proceed to postgraduate study, law conversion or the civil service fast-stream.
Student life (indicative)
Brighton is the UK's most vibrant coastal student city — beaches, world-class nightlife, a famously inclusive community, and a creative arts scene that punches well above its size.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
17,405
Staff Ratio
19.0:1
International
14.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
73.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
First-year earnings
Placement Year
✓ Available
Work experience option
Costs & Living
City & Location
Mid-size city (200k-499k inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Contemporary History
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Contemporary History topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Contemporary History
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- International studies
- Human rights
- Politics
- International relations
- Democratic studies
- Strategic studies
- War studies
- Social anthropology
- Material culture
- Humanities
- Philosophy
- Social philosophy
- Citizenship
- Ethics
- Critical thinking
- Political philosophy
- Ideology
- Modern studies
- Social history
- Contemporary history
- Cultural history
- Historical research
- International history
- Modern history
Source: UCAS course listing, 2027 entry (retrieved September 2026). Always confirm the current requirements with the university.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
17,405
Total students
Staff Ratio
19:1
Students per staff
International Students
14%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Mid-size city (200k-499k inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Mild coastal
Safety Index (indicative)
7.5/10
Transport
Moderate (coach or indirect connections)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle
Student Life & City (indicative)
Brighton is the UK's most vibrant coastal student city — beaches, world-class nightlife, a famously inclusive community, and a creative arts scene that punches well above its size.
- Brighton is the UK's most vibrant coastal student city — beaches, world-class nightlife, a famously inclusive community, and a creative arts scene that punches well above its size.
What Students Love
- Vibrant nightlife & bars
- Beach lifestyle
- Strong LGBTQ+ community
- Active music scene
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
73%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✓ Available
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
History graduates develop research, critical analysis and writing skills valued across journalism, policy, the civil service, publishing, law and education. Many proceed to postgraduate study, law conversion or the civil service fast-stream.
- History graduates develop research, critical analysis and writing skills valued across journalism, policy, the civil service, publishing, law and education.
- Many proceed to postgraduate study, law conversion or the civil service fast-stream.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Design
- Business
- Education
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
MEDIUM
This location has moderate living costs. Standard student budget recommended.
Estimated Annual Costs
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,650/month budget (housing $980, food $340, transport $105) covers everything comfortably. Brighton's coastal lifestyle and vibrant social scene make the slightly higher costs excellent value.
- One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,650/month budget (housing $980, food $340, transport $105) covers everything comfortably.
- Brighton's coastal lifestyle and vibrant social scene make the slightly higher costs excellent value.
Contains HESA data (Discover Uni), licensed under CC BY 4.0.