History and Law, BA (Hons), with industry placement

The foundations of our modern judicial system were laid long ago. What is case law but a practical and binding application of historical precedent? This innovative degree covers a range of historical periods and current practice in diverse areas of the law, to develop your unique insight into how pivotal moments in our history have long-standing legal implications.This course gives you a thorough training in the complementary disciplines of history and law. You develop critical, reflective and analytical skills that are common to both disciplines. In addition to emphasising aspects common to both subjects, you explore the differences between them, and the approaches taken within legal and historical thought. Your studies will combine a structured introduction to both subjects as well as a range of options which will allow you to pursue your own areas of interest.We cover a diverse range of topics, including:

• the history of pandemics

• the development of human rights

• history through oral testimony

• criminal and contract law

• British history to the present

Our Department of History has developed a strong research and teaching profile, with the majority of our research rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2014). We also have strong links with the Essex Record Office, which is one of the best county record offices in the UK. Our students love us too: 97% of our history students expressed overall satisfaction with their course (NSS 2018).Our School of Law at Essex specialises in commercial law, public law, and human rights law. Our School of Law is Top 20 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014), and we are ranked among the top 50 Law Schools on the planet according to the Times Higher World University Rankings 2018.