School of History

Welcome to the School of History! On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about your studies. 

Scroll to the section that applies to you – new student, returning student or postgraduate student. We’ve also included some helpful links at the end of the page to direct you to anything else you might need. 

If you’re a postgraduate researcher, find your faculty welcome and induction information to help you get started

I’m a new student

Before you scroll any further, have a look at our School of History Welcome presentation. This gives you information about what you can be doing before you arrive, what events we’ve organised for you in Induction Week, and details about your programme of study.               

What if I can’t attend an event in Induction Week?

Don’t worry if, for whatever reason, you miss an event during Induction Week. The talks will be broadcast live (so you can watch them wherever you are on a device) and recorded (so you can watch them later). The events where you meet other students and staff, however, won’t be recorded.

How will I get to know other students?

There’ll be opportunities to meet other students during Induction Week activities. You’ll also get to know other students in your academic personal tutor group and there will of course be the opportunity to get to know students in your lectures and seminars. You can also meet other students by joining clubs and societies and by taking part in the peer mentoring scheme.

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my school? 

Yes. You’ll be assigned a peer mentor – a fellow student already studying at Leeds – and meet them during Induction Week. You’ll meet in groups, so this is an opportunity to meet other students in your year too. You’ll then meet your peer mentor group regularly across your first year, especially in the first few weeks.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

You’re encouraged to join the History Society and take part in events. It’s one of the largest and most active subject related societies in the LUU. Representatives of the History Society will be at induction week events and will organise their own programme of events throughout the academic year.

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

You’ll have the opportunity to meet your personal tutor in induction week. There’ll also be individual meetings throughout the semester. Personal tutors will be in regular contact with you via email. Feel free to contact your personal tutor any time throughout the semester. 

Find out more about you and your academic personal tutor.

How will I find out more about my programme?

You’ll find out more during your induction sessions. These will introduce you to the School and to your programme. You can also get the information on the programme from the programme catalogue and details of modules from the module catalogue. Information about your modules can be found on Minerva.

How does assessment work on my programme?

Each module uses different forms of assessment. They are set out in the module catalogue and will also be explained by your tutors, who will give you full support for assessments and offer advice. Assessments are weighted and your final module mark is a combination of all the grades of the required assessments for that module.

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?  

Core texts for your modules will be available through the library, either digitally or in hard copy. In some cases, a module may have a recommended text that you can purchase, but there will always be copies of such texts available in the library. 

Where can I access resources for my degree?  

All modules will have a Minerva area containing resources relevant to the course. You can also access books, journals and electronic resources via the Library website. View History-specific library resources.

What facilities are available for my course, and how can I take advantage of them?

History students are able to take advantage of the library resources including Special Collections. Further details are available via the library website. 

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about it? 

There are no specialist software or systems you need. You should familarise yourself with the standard IT services, like Minerva, Outlook email/calendar, Microsoft Teams and OneDrive through the online IT induction.

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course representatives are important in representing your views in the School. Course reps are empowered to facilitate positive student-led change to improve the student experience. The role involves liaising and feeding back to your peers and attending and participating in the Staff-Student Forum. 

Nominations for course reps will open at the beginning of induction week and elections take place within the first few weeks of semester 1.

Where can I go for support? 

You can email the History Student Education Service team at historystudentsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

For module enquiries in the School of History email the Module Enquiries team at module.enquiries.history@leeds.ac.uk.

For additional support feel free to contact: 

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support? 

You can approach your module tutors and academic personal tutor for any support or guidance that you need.

You can also seek support from Skills@Library who support taught students to develop academic skills online and in person. 

I’m a returning student 

How will my learning experience be different to last year?

We’re planning for all teaching activities (seminars and lectures) to take place in-person and on-campus at all levels of study and for all programmes.

What do I need to do before I arrive? 

Please complete your registration and confirm your accommodation arrangements.

What does my induction timetable look like? 

Please attend the following talks, depending on your year of study:

  • Students going into their second year: Tuesday 27 September 11–12am, Roger Stevens LT22
  • Students going into their final year: Tuesday 27 September 3–4pm, Conference Auditorium 1
  • All returning students for the wellbeing session: Wednesday 12–1pm, Conference Auditorium 1

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work? 

You’ll be sent further guidance on academic personal tutoring for the coming academic year during Induction Week. You’ll have the oportunity to see them at least once a semester.

How will I find out more about my programme?

You’ll find out more during your induction sessions, these will introduce you to the School and to your programme. You can also get the information on the programme from the programme catalogue and details of modules from the module catalogue. Information about your modules can be found on Minerva.

How does assessment work on my programme?

Each module uses different forms of assessment. They’re set out in the module catalogue and will also be explained by your tutors, who’ll give you full support for assessments and offer advice. Assessments are weighted and your final module mark is a combination of all the grades of the required assessments for that module.

Where can I access resources for my degree?

All modules will have a Minerva area containing resources relevant to the course. You can also access books, journals and electronic resources via the Library website. View the History-specific library resources.

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?  

Core texts for your modules will be available through the library, either digitally or in hard copy. In some cases, a module may have a recommended text that you can purchase, but there will always be copies of such texts available in the library. 

What facilities are available for my course, and how can I take advantage of them? 

History students are able to take advantage of the library resources including Special Collections. Further details are available via the library website.

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course representatives are important in representing your views in the School. Course reps are empowered to facilitate positive student-led change to improve the student experience. The role involves liaising and feeding back to your peers and attending and participating in the Staff-Student Forum. 

Nominations for course reps will open at the beginning of induction week and elections take place within the first few weeks of semester 1.

Where can I go for support? 

You can email the History Student Education Service team at historystudentsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

For module enquiries in the School of History email the Module Enquiries team at module.enquiries.history@leeds.ac.uk.

For additional support feel free to contact: 

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

You can approach your module tutors and academic personal tutor for any support or guidance that you need.

You can also seek support from Skills@Library who support taught students to develop academic skills online and in person. 

I’m a postgraduate student

What do I need to do before I arrive?

Please complete your online IT induction, registration, enrol for your modules and confirm your accommodation arrangements.

How will my programme be delivered this year?

We’re planning for all MA seminars to take place in person and on campus. Dissertation supervisions and other one-to-one meetings are likely to be a mixture of face-to-face or online, depending on circumstances.  

What does my induction timetable look like?

Your timetable will be emailed to you and will also appear in your student timetable via Minerva.

Will I be required to attend face-to-face sessions?

We expect all students to be able to come to campus and participate in face-to-face classes. 

How will tutorials/seminars, practical or lab sessions be managed?

In the School of History, we’re planning for all seminars and tutorials to take place in person and on campus at all levels of study and for all programmes. 

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

You’ll have the opportunity to meet your personal tutor in induction week either virtually or in person. There’ll also be individual meetings throughout the semester. Personal tutors will be in regular contact with you via email. Feel free to contact your personal tutor any time throughout the semester. Find out more about academic personal tutoring.

Where can I go for support? 

You can email the History Student Education Service team at HistoryMA@leeds.ac.uk.

For additional support feel free to contact: 

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

You can approach your module tutors and academic personal tutor for any support or guidance that you need.

You can also seek support from Skills@Library who support taught students to develop academic skills online and in person. 

How will I find out more about my programme? 

You’ll find out more during your induction sessions, these will introduce you to the School and to the programme. You can also get the information on the programme from the programme catalogue and details of modules from the module catalogue. Information about your modules can be found on Minerva.

How will I get to know other students?

There’ll be some opportunities to meet other students during Induction Week activities and there will of course be the opportunity to get to know students in your seminars and tutorials. You can also meet other students by joining clubs and societies and by taking part in the peer mentoring scheme.

What welcome activities do you have planned to welcome me to the School of History? 

You will find out more about our welcome activities when you receive your induction timetable. 

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about it? 

You can access Minerva, Collaborate, Outlook email/calendar, Microsoft Teams and OneDrive through your University account. Please familiarise yourself with these systems through the student IT induction.

Where can I access resources for my studies?

All modules will have a Minerva area containing resources relevant to the course. You can also access books, journals and electronic resources via the Library website. View History-specific library resources.

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?  

Although in most cases your core texts will be available via the library, you may need to provide core texts for a small number of modules. If this is the case, you will be given guidance on this via the module handbook. 

What facilities are available for my course, and how can I take advantage of them? 

History students are able to take advantage of the library resources including Special Collections. Further details are available via the library website. 

PGT students are also welcome to attend the research seminars held in the School and these will be advertised throughout the semester.  

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course representatives are important in representing your views in the School. Course reps are empowered to facilitate positive student-led change to improve the student experience. The role involves liaising and feeding back to your peers and attending and participating in the Staff-Student Forum. 

Nominations for course reps will open at the beginning of induction week and elections take place within the first few weeks of semester 1.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

You’re encouraged to join the History Society and take part in events. It’s one of the largest and most active subject-related societies in the LUU. Representatives of the History Society will be at induction week events and will organise their own programme throughout the academic year.

You’ll also be able to join programme-specific reading groups. 

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my school? 

This is to be confirmed. 

How does assessment work on my programme? 

Different modules use different forms of assessment. They’re set out in the module catalogue and will be explained by your tutors, who’ll give you full support for assessments and offer advice. Assessments are weighted and your final mark for all modules is a combination of all the marks for required assessments for that module.

Where can I find relevant career information for postgraduate students? 

You’ll be able find relevant career information on the Employability Organisation on Minerva. You’ll be automatically added to this organisation.  

Where can I find opportunities for work to develop my career?  

You’ll have the opportunity to write for the History Student Times. Opportunities will also be advertised via the Employability Organisation on Minerva. You may also wish to contact the careers service of the Leeds University Union Job Link Service. Please keep an eye out for additional postgraduate opportunities that may be advertised throughout the year. 

Other useful links