Starting in September, students on the Isle of Man will be able to study for an honours degree in History & Heritage. The programme will be taught at the Isle of Man College, with the degrees awarded by the University of Chester.
The new programme adds to the growing number of undergraduate degree programmes on offer at the Isle of Man College. History & Heritage Programme Leader, Dr Catriona Mackie explained that
'The degree in History & Heritage is a welcome addition to the College’s portfolio. History is a highly-popular humanities subject which equips students for a wide range of occupations. More and more students are thinking about studying on-Island, so it’s great that we now have another attractive degree option for them to consider.'
The new BA (Hons) History & Heritage programme will cover a range of topics in British, European and World history, and will train students in historical methods and theory. Heritage refers to those aspects of our past that are still active today, and is an ideal subject to combine with history. Students will explore contemporary issues in heritage studies using local and international case studies, and will also gain first-hand practical experience of working in the heritage industry.
'There are many benefits to studying history and heritage on the Isle of Man', Dr Mackie explains. 'The Island has a strong and growing heritage industry, and we also have fantastic historical resources in the Manx National Heritage Library & Archives. As well as learning more about the Isle of Man, these local resources can help us to understand internationally-important issues in history and heritage.'
Academic achievement and employment rates for Isle of Man College graduates are extremely high. As Dr Mackie noted,
'College students routinely out-perform their UK counterparts. Whereas 66% of UK students graduate with a top class degree, at the Isle of Man College it’s 71%. This is partly due to the quality of teaching on the Island, but it’s also a consequence of our smaller class sizes which results in a high level of support for students. Another important advantage of studying on-Island is the opportunity to meet with potential employers. In recent years, 90% of degree students at the College have found relevant employment on graduating.'
Employability skills are central to the new degree programme. Students will not only improve their knowledge of history and heritage, but will also develop those key skills which are highly sought after by employers, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and effective oral and written communication. In their second year, students will have the opportunity to undertake a six-week work placement with a heritage-related organisation, or carry out a six-week independent research project.
A degree in History & Heritage equips students for a wide range of occupations. History graduates routinely find employment in the business sector, HR, marketing, management, law, finance, the media, and education.
The new degree can be studied full-time (3 years) or part-time (6 years). The standard entry requirement is 240 UCAS points. Applications from mature students are welcomed and will be considered on the basis of previous experience or professional qualifications. The application process is slightly different from applying to UK universities:
'Students apply directly to the Isle of Man College. Because places on the new programme are limited, applications should be made as early as possible. School students should ideally apply at the same time as they submit their UCAS applications.'
Many applicants will be eligible for a Student Award from the Isle of Man Government. Currently, Awards cover the full cost of student fees for those studying at the Isle of Man College.
Application forms can be found in the College’s Higher Education Prospectus and can also be downloaded from the College website. Enquiries should be directed to the College’s Higher Education Administrator on +44 1624 648278 or at HEadmin@iomcollege.ac.im. Applicants should note that the programme is offered subject to successful validation by the University of Chester.
