Modern and Contemporary History with a Year Abroad Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

### Explore the past, encounter diverse societies, and explain cultural changes.  

The past two centuries have seen huge advances in society and technology. But they have also witnessed injustice, devastating world wars, and the rise of Soviet communism. 

Study modern and contemporary history at Queen Mary, and explore how such historical events have shaped the modern world we live in.   

British history. The war on terror. American democracy. These are just a few of the subjects you’ll uncover. Build specialist knowledge, satisfy your curiosity, and pursue your own interests, picking optional modules spanning events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Which area will ignite your interest? 

Learn from experts who care about providing impactful research. Our historians carry out ground-breaking research in the archives and bring that to the public in their [prize-winning books](https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691181707/southern-europe-in-the-age-of-revolutions), popular documentaries, and[ engagement ](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/history/news/2025/items/the-school-of-history-at-queen-mary-hosts-the-inaugural-george-padmore-institute-annual-lecture.html)with [media ](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/jfk-the-man-behind-the-myths/id256580326?i=1000702195351)and [society](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/history/research/research-impact-and-engagement/). 

### Focusing on your future. 

Develop knowledge, skills, adaptability, and resilience to succeed in an ever-changing global job market and become active global citizens. We work with the Queen Mary Careers and Enterprise Centre to ensure you know how to communicate your competitive edge in the job market. 

To succeed in the global market, you’ll acquire vocationally crucial skills such as critical thinking, information analysis, communication, deadline management, and an understanding and respect for other values and cultures.   

We offer many ways for you to apply your knowledge into action. You can complete a placement with one of 60+ internship partners in the heritage sector through our [History & Heritage Internship module](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/history/study/undergraduate-study/careers/). You could contribute your writing and editing skills to our [Queen Mary history journal ](https://qmhistoryjournal.wixsite.com/qmhj)stocked by the British Library. Or you could work on live business projects and offer professional insights with qHeritage.