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Prospective Visiting Students

Welcome

The History Department welcomes international visiting students to study with us on in our lively, friendly and international undergraduate programmes. We emphasise research-led teaching, and our students are involved in all areas of campus life.

International visiting students are usually based within the department as part of an Erasmus+ or Exchange Partnership with their home university. Check with your home university to see whether you are eligible to undertake an exchange in the Warwick History Department. We also welcome applications from independent fee-paying students.

Visiting international students based in other departments may also apply to take history modules as part of their studies.

Warwick runs a three-term academic year (September to December; January to March; April to June), and in History we teach for the first two terms, while the third summer term is mainly concerned with examinations.

Visiting students can study with us for the full academic year (September to June), one term (either September to December or January to March), or for two terms (September to March).

Teaching and Learning

Teaching occurs through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. Seminars are normally groups of 8-16 students who discuss reading and points of interpretation, and these are the main focus of studying History at Warwick, so the bulk of your time will be spent reading and studying independently in preparation for seminars.

If English is not your first language, seminars are an ideal place to practice your aural and oral skills. Speaking in seminars might be daunting at first, but it is an essential skill that will benefit you when you return home as well as at Warwick.

Much of our assessment is based on extended academic writing and research. This can seem challenging, but you will be able to get help and advice from the staff in the department as well as specialist advice if English is not your first language.

Modules

The information on these pages applies to the History Department only. Please note that modules change regularly, and are always subject to availability. It may be the case that we cannot confirm your modules until you arrive at Warwick, but we will always do our best to ensure you can find modules that suit your requirements.

  • Visiting students based in the History Department for a full academic year (September to June) must take at least 30 CATS of History Department undergraduate modules, and can take up to 120 CATS of History Department undergraduate modules.
  • Visiting students based in the History Department for one term (either September to December or January to March) must take at least 15 CATS of History Department undergraduate modules, and can take up to 60 CATS of History Department undergraduate modules.
  • Visiting students based in the History Department for two terms (September to March) must take at least 24 CATS of History Department Undergraduate Modules, and can take up to 96 CATS of History Department undergraduate modules.
  • Visiting students based in other departments can take up to a maximum of 60 CATS of History Department undergraduate modules per year (30 CATS per term).
  • No students are permitted to audit or observe a History Department Module.

Please note that postgraduate visiting students are not permitted to take undergraduate modules in the History department, nor are undergraduate visiting students permitted to take postgraduate modules. Postgraduate visiting students seeking to take Masters Level modules should contact the Director of Study Abroad Programmes before making their application.

First Year Modules
  • Introductory surveys of key areas and themes

  • Equivalent to US 200 level

  • Suitable for visiting students of all undergraduate levels and backgrounds

  • Run full-year for 30 CATS; also available as part-year options for 15 CATS (one term) or 24 CATS (two terms)

Second Year Modules
  • Cover a range of geographical, chronological, and thematic issues in History

  • Equivalent to US 300 or 400 level

  • Suitable for visiting students who have completed at least some university-level History

  • Run either as full-year 30 CATS or as one term 15 CATS modules; also available as part-year options for 15 CATS (one term) or 24 CATS (two terms).

  • Please note that full year modules have an examination in the summer.

Final Year Modules
  • Specialised, research-based topics in History

  • Equivalent to US 400 or 500 level

  • Suitable only for 3rd or 4th year History Majors with special permission from the Director of Study Abroad Programmes

  • Run as full-year only (30 CATS). Please note that some modules may have an examination in the summer.

Visiting Student Research Project (15 CATS)

This module enables visiting students to complete an independent research project based on their own interests, under the supervision of an expert staff member in the History Department. This enables visiting students to experience the Warwick research culture as part of their time in the department.

Assessment

How you will be assessed will vary depending on a) how long you study with us and b) which modules you choose. You can find full details of module assessments on the individual module webpages, or on the department assessment pages.

All Visiting students taking a History Department Module must follow the History Department deadlines and procedures for the assessment of that module. All assignments will usually be due before you leave Warwick.

Full Year Visiting Students (September to June) on 30 CATS modules:
  • Gain 30 CATS per module
  • Assessed by the same methods as home students on the module. Please note that some Second Year and Third Year Modules have examinations in the summer term
  • Students whose first language is not English are encouraged to choose modules that do not have examinations (First Year Options and 15 CATS modules)
Any student on 15 CATS module:
  • Gain 15 CATS per module
  • Assessed by the same methods as home students on the module
One Term Visiting Students (September to December or January to March):
  • Gain 15 CATS per module

  • 30 CATS Year 1 option modules: Assessed by 1000 word assignment (essay or presentation), and 2000 word essay
  • Making of the Modern World: Assessed by 1500 word essay and 2000 word essay
  • Europe in the Making: Assessed by oral contribution, 1000 word assignment, 2000 word essay
  • 30 CATS Year 2 modules: Assessed by oral participation, 1000 word essay, 3000 word essay
    Two Term Visiting Students (September to March) on 30 CATS module:
    • Gain 24 CATS per module
    • 30 CATS Year 1 option modules: Assessed by 1000 word presentation, 2000 word essay, 2500 word essay
    • Making of the Modern World: Assessed by 1500 word essay, group presentation, and project (tbc)
    • Europe in the Making: Assessed by oral contribution, 1000 word assignment, 2000 word essay (tbc)
    • 30 CATS Year 2 modules: Assessed by oral participation, 1500 word essay, 3000 word essay

      How to Choose Modules

      Please note that it is not possible to gain acceptance onto a module by any means (e.g. contacting the module tutor) apart from via confirmation from the History Office.
      Students based in History:

      You should list your module preferences on your application form. Where possible, you will be assigned your preferred modules, but where these are not available, you will be offered alternatives based on a similar topic or level. You will have the opportunity to confirm your final module selection upon arrival at Warwick. All modules are subject to confirmation by the History Office.

      It is also possible to take modules outside the History Department, but you must approach other departments yourself to obtain consent. Note that levels, credit loads, and processes may vary in different departments.

      Students based in other departments:

      Please note that the History Department will not see your application form, so you must contact us with regard to your module preferences. If you have not studied university-level History before, you will likely be assigned to First Year modules only.

      You can submit your module preferences via an online form [link coming soon].

      Module Allocations

      Autumn Starters:
      • Module allocations for visiting students based in the History Department will be confirmed in July or early August.

      • Module allocations for visiting students based in other departments will be confirmed after arrival in October.
      January Starters:
      • Module allocations for visiting students based in the History Department who submit their applications by the May deadline will be confirmed in July or early August.
      • Module allocations for visiting students based in the History Department who submit their applications by the September deadline will be confirmed in November or December.
      • Module allocations for visiting students based in other departments will be confirmed on arrival in January.