BA History and Politics of the Americas FAQ

We hope you will find below the answers to some of your own questions but do not hesitate to contact us for a chat.

The Degree

1. How does a degree in History and Politics of the Americas compare to a History degree in terms of employability?

Staff take: It’s difficult to quantify this, but broadly speaking there is no difference. Most degrees in the liberal arts (history, politics, literatures, etc) will offer broadly similar opportunities for employment. This is because the important skills you will develop, such as learning to read critically, write clearly and coherently, build arguments, analyse, and so forth, are skills that are taught in all of these degrees.

Gaining more in-depth knowledge of a particular continent/region (which is a unique aspect of our degree) may definitely be an asset, as you’ll be able to more directly apply the skills you learn to socio-political analyses of particular countries/regions.

Student take: I obviously don’t know because I am still a second-year student. But I think it is safe to say that you will develop a lot of skills (data analysis, organising information etc.) which employers usually look for. back to degree faq

2. How many students on average take this course?

Student take: It is growing every year! In my year I believe that we are 27 and the year below there are 40(ish) students [2019 intake] It’s great because you get to know everyone! Especially in a university as big as UCL, where it can be a bit daunting at first.

Staff take: Our student numbers grew considerably between our first and second cohorts, but we plan on still keeping these programmes intimate, allowing students to know each (and staff!). back to degree faq

3. What do lectures and seminars usually look like in terms of size?

Staff take: Seminars are quite similar to those you’ll have for most subjects in groups of around 15 Lectures vary from 40 to 100. back to degree faq

4. Is there a lot of independent study?

Student take: There is quite a bit of reading for each module but the tutors provide guidance for approaching this in the first few weeks. I definitely find the workload manageable. back to degree faq

5. How many contact hours do we get with tutors?

Staff take: Many modules (in all years) have two contact hours. This is sometimes one hour of lecture and one hour of a seminar, and sometimes is two hours of seminar discussion. But your tutors also hold office hours and you can arrange to meet with any of them outside of class time if you need to.

Student take: It depends which modules you choose. For instance, if you take a language you can expect to have more contact hours (4h a week) on top of the one hour that you have with each module. back to degree faq

6. How the course is assessed, for instance is it more exam heavy or coursework based?

Staff take: For most courses, you’ll have more than one assessed assignment. These could be essays, group presentations, exams or something different. For instance, blog posts, podcasts, policy reports, or research design!

Student take: Generally, the History department modules (especially those called “survey modules”) tend to be more exam focused (with exams being worth 75% of your grade) whereas within the Institute it’s more varied.
Student take: As it varies from module to module, you can tailor your studies to whatever form of assessment you prefer. Most first-year modules have an equal balance between exams and coursework. back to degree faq

7. How much are presentations and group work part of the course?

Student take: A fair amount! Which is great because you get to learn different skills. I think I had more group presentations in first year. In second year, I had for instance, solo presentations, blog post, and a lot of essays.
Student take: Most modules in the first year have a group work-based assessment. These are fairly open ended so you are able to shape these towards your own interests.

Staff take: It depends very much on the module. Many (but not all) of the modules will have a small presentation that is roughly 20-30% of the final mark. Sometimes it is a group presentation and sometimes individual. Other modules have no presentations. In your second and third years, you can deliberately choose to take or avoid modules with presentations, depending on your view of them! back to degree faq

8. How do the electives work and from which departments can you choose from?

Staff take: In the first year, you will have options to choose from, but no electives. In your second and final year, you will have two electives. You can either take modules at the Institute OR search the UCL module catalogue for other classes that interest you. Sometimes modules fill up, but there is a wealth of modules to choose from.

Student take: You can take electives from almost any departments, but they have to be related to your degree. For instance, I am doing an elective on International Organisations this term. Also, you have to get in touch with the departments you are interested in to make sure you can have a space in a class. It’s a great opportunity to discover new subjects you are interested in and meet new people! In first year you have to take 120 credits and they do have to be from the Institute. You will have a couple of compulsory modules but the rest you can choose for yourself. In second year, you can choose electives, which are modules from outside of the Institute. For example, this year I chose to study Philosophy of Mind (Philosophy Department) and Welfare Politics (Political Science Department) along with modules from the Institute of Americas itself. back to degree faq

9. Is there competition to get into modules?

Student take: As far as I am aware most competition for modules, if any, occur mostly when choosing electives from other departments rather than modules provided by the Institute of the Americas. back to degree faq

10. I am from the United States and university is run quite differently here, but how does the course structure frame out year by year? And for the final year, what is the relationship between UCL requirements and coursework of the respective uni?

Staff take: Because you have to choose your ‘major’ here as you apply, there is slightly less scope for taking as many electives as you would in the US. However, you will have a deeper understanding of what you study after a degree in the UK. That said, there is still a lot of choice here. We have the equivalent of what a US university would call ‘distribution requirements’. For instance, there are a lot of options available, but we will ask you to take at least one politics class and at least one history in your second year.

Student take: And in second and third year you are able to pick and choose what you want to do. In your final year you do your dissertation along other modules you selected. back to degree faq

11. Is there anything I can do over the summer to prepare for the course?

Student take: I think it’s always nice to do wider reading around the subject before you start. Looking back, I would have benefitted a lot from doing some reading about comparative politics before coming to UCL, because this will be really helpful when studying the differences in political systems across the Americas. If you have a particular country that really interests you, it would be interesting to do wider reading on this because you can often tailor essay questions to suit your interests, i.e. you can choose what countries to write about. Other than that, keep up to date with the news across the Americas because that is always interesting to talk about during seminars.

Student take: I’d say read whatever you find interesting. For example, before I came to uni I read Guns, Germs, and Steel (amongst some other less serious pieces) because I thought it would be fun and interesting. You’ve got a bunch of time so just pick up something you think might be cool and have something you might be able to use. Also, of course, the course reading list is useful. back to degree faq

12. When does your first cohort graduate, or have they already done that?

Staff take: The first non-year abroad students graduated in 2021. back to degree faq

13. Is there academic interaction between cohorts?

Student take: Two of the modules offered in First Year are offered to Second Years too and at least one of them is available to History students, so there are opportunities to mix with other years/courses. And you might also find yourselves taking modules with second year students - history modules for instance. back to degree faq

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Year Abroad

1. When do we have to start thinking about where we want to take our years abroad?

Student take: You will discuss it with your tutor during your first year, however, you don’t have to make a firm decision until your second year (1st term). The only thing you may want to consider is whether you want to go to an institution where English is not spoken as a first language. You will need to display enough fluency in the spoken language to be considered. This can be easily achieved however as part of your course across the first two years. back to year abroad faq

2. How difficult is the application for the year abroad?

Student take: It’s very easy! You will have to justify your choices to the department (You need a ranking of three universities). Then, they make their choice based on your profiles (grades, interests‚ etc.) and let you know which university they have approved for you.

Staff take: Students discuss with tutors at the Institute which four of our partner universities they would wish to attend. They then justify their four choices in an internal application process run by UCL Study Abroad. Students are allocated places based on their applications, interests, and grades. back to year abroad faq

3. Is there any way to study at institutions not currently listed as partners?

Student take: You can if you decide to apply through UCL and not the Institute. However, it is great to apply with the Institute because you are more likely to get the universities you want to go (less competition!)

Staff take: For their Year Abroad, students must pick from our partner institutions, but we are always increasing/updating our international partnerships based on students’ interests. All UCL students are also welcome to apply to the University’s Short-Term Global Opportunities, which include summer schools, research placements, volunteering and work experience opportunities. back to year abroad faq

4. How long does a ‘year abroad’ typically last for?

Student take: It depends where you’re going but roughly from September until the following May/June time. back to year abroad faq

5. How would the year abroad be assessed? Is that determined by the host uni?

Staff take: In terms of you overall degree programme we run the year abroad as a “Pass/Fail”. You will be expected to take 50% of your modules abroad on subjects related to history and politics and the rest is your choice. Each assessment for classes abroad will differ depending on the host institution but we expect you to pass those classes.

Student take: In a word, yes. The year abroad doesn’t count towards your degree, it’s like a little self-contained segment. This means that all work is marked by the host uni and effects your grade for that year but not for your degree. back to study abroad faq

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Student Life

1. How did you find settling in to uni in such a big city and with 40,000 other students?

Student take: I come from a different country so I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared at first. UCL assists you a lot in your transition period. I would have to recommend student accommodation as I know that you meet a lot of people there. But there are also many opportunities to meet new people that have a lot of common with you through societies for example. And if for some reason you still feel a bit lost within the first few months, I would not worry - everyone is too! Plus, there are many support systems at UCL whether it is the tutors from the Institute, your new friends, or other UCL facilities you have access to. Whilst there are 40,000 students only half of these are undergraduates. The course being smaller creates a nice balance so it is not hard to make friends at all! I found my accommodation really helpful too. Many blocks are clustered together and sometimes share common rooms so there is a good sense of community spirit. back to student life faq

2. Besides societies, are there social events which will make it easier to meet people besides those in your course or accommodation?

Student take: Yes! Even if UCL is a sort of bubble in the middle London you still get to enjoy the many activities in London. For instance, if you like art you get go to a lot of events (not related to the university) and meet people there! Also, the year starts with freshers’ week and you will have many events (with societies, the uni and so many other around London) that you can go to. The institute holds lunches every fortnight where you can discuss your studies and a welcome party for first years in freshers. They are really good ways of meeting staff and other students. Additionally, each accommodation block tends to hold a party every few months or so.

Staff take: We also hold social events during induction week. The programme director often holds lunch activities with UG students, and the department holds talks/other events every week. back to student life faq

3. What kind of support is offered in regards to finding jobs while at the university?

Student take: UCL offers many student jobs in the UCL cafes and bars around campus which is great because the hours are flexible (+ you get to work on campus which is very convenient). Freshers Fair every year provides some opportunities to set up contacts with potential employers. Many students sign up to STINT which is an app that allows you to do single shifts at places like The Shard and Chipotle on your own time, and they pay you the next day too! It’s a good way to earn money in your first year without being pressured by regular shifts.

Staff take: The university has a Career centre, that offers individual appointments, and specific training on preparing CVs and applications. Thre’s also an on campus recruitment agency Unitemps. The advantage of being in a small department like ours is that Faculty tend to also know students very well, so we can write more detailed letters of recommendations. Additionally, I’d suggest taking a look into the Laidlaw Research and Leadership Programme, which offers training and summer research jobs with UCL Faculty. UCL’s Careers Services also holds regular sessions in our department, tailored specifically to our students. back to student life faq

4. Are there students planning to go on to further postgraduate studies?

Student take: It varies a lot. I know that some students want to do law conversion courses, some want to work directly after. In my case, I will probably do a master’s after. back to student life faq

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