In this degree you will get a unique opportunity to develop expertise in the disciplines of economics, politics, and history. You will learnÌýto apply this expertise to understanding the social, cultural, economic, and political world around us, developing skills essential for a whole range of future careers. Particular attention is focused on the study of the areas with which the School of Slavonic and East European Studies is primarily concerned: the countries of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, including Russia and Germany. You will also have the opportunity to learn an East European language and to gain deeper insights into the major socio-economic and political issues such as the interaction between the economy, culture and political institutions and their joint impact on the lives of millions.
The current structure of the degree requires you to take 360 credits over 3 years, 120 credits in each year.Ìý
You will also:
Learn the basics of an East European language.
Achieve an understanding of the disciplines of History, Politics and Economics.
Write a dissertation based on your own research with reference to the region.
The basic principle of the BA HPE degree is progression from one year to the next along defined disciplinary pathways. Knowledge and skills learned in one year provide building blocks for more advanced study in each subsequent year.
Please noteÌýstudents can only register for 120 creditsÌýin total per year of study andÌýoptional modules are subject to change.
First year students are encouraged to do Level 4 modules in their first year as these are preparatory modules for your subsequent years.
Ìý
- Year One
Compulsory Modules (90 credits):
- SESS0007 - Introduction to MicroeconomicsÌý(15 credits, Term 1)
- SESS0008 - Introduction to MacroeconomicsÌý(15 Credits, Term 2)
- SESS0016 - Understanding Politics I: The Big Questions in Contemporary EuropeÌý(15 credits)
- SESS0017- Understanding Politics II: How Politics WorksÌý(15 credits)
- SEHI0003 - Frontiers of HistoryÌý(30 credits)
Optional Modules: select from theÌýlist below, including languagesÌý(30 credits)
In year 1 the department offers - SESS0080 Mathematics for Economists (0 credits Term 1)
This is an introductory course which provides students mathematical skills required to undertake intermediate microeconomics and econometrics in future study. The course caters for those with or without A-level mathematics. The course covers basic algebra, linear and non-linear equations, simultaneous equations, exponential and logarithmic functional forms, rules of differentiation, partial differentiation, as well as unconstrained and constrained optimisation. The course concludes with integration and matrix algebra. Each topic is taught with economic application, involving exercises and tests in both pure mathematics and mathematics applied to economic problems. The module carries zero credits, and it is elective for 1st-year History, Politics and Economics students undertaking Economics path. It is advised this module is selected by students who do not have a A grade at A-level or the equivalent qualification.
Politics and Sociology Modules
- SESS0082Ìý - Introduction to International Relations: concepts and ideas -Ìý (15 credits, Term 2)
- SESS0083 -ÌýIntroductionÌý to International Relations: Themes and issues -Ìý (15 credits,ÌýTerm 1)Ìý- Not running 2024/5
- SESS0013Ìý- Understanding Society: Introduction to Social TheoryÌý(15 credits,ÌýTerm 1)
- SESS0014Ìý- Understanding Society: Introduction to Political SociologyÌý(15 credits Term 2)
- SESS0018 - Communist Societies 1945-1989Ìý(15 credits,Term 1)
- SESS0015 -ÌýCommunism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (15 credits, Term 2)
NB. The Politics and Sociology modulesÌýare normally prerequisites for second-year modulesÌýin their respective fields. If you wish to pursue the International Relations subjects you must take SESS0082 or you will not be able to proceed with these in years 2 and 3.
Economics and Business Modules
- SESS0009 - Applied Game Theory for Economics and BusinessÌý(15 Credits, Term 2)ÌýBefore selecting this module, please ensure that you have carefully read the supplementary information sent out with your induction email
- SESS0010 - Contemporary Issues in International BusinessÌý(15 Credits, Term 1)
NBÌýSESS0010 gives you access to New Venture Creation in year 2. Please note for many Year 2 modules you will need a Statistics module we would recommend taking STAT0021 to any student wishing to specialise in Economics.
Language and Culture Modules
- SEEB0014 Bulgarian A
- SEEC0017 Czech A
- SEEF0017ÌýFinnish A
- SEEH0003 Hungarian A
- SEER0003 Romanian A
- SERS0007 Russian A
- SEEY0017 Serbian/Croatian A
- SEEV0001 Slovene A
- SEEU0019 Ukrainian A
- SEEB0001 - Bulgarian Language Level 1
- SEEC0001 - Czech Language Level 1
- SEEF0001 - Finnish Language Level 1
- SEEH0001 - Hungarian Language Level 1
- SEEP0001 - Polish Language Level 1Ìý
- SEER0001 - Romanian Language Level 1
- SERS0001 - Comprehension of Russian (Year 1A)Ìý- Ab initio track
- SEEY0001 - Serbian/Croatian Language Level 1
- SEEU0001 - Ukrainian Language Level 1
- SERS0008 - Russian Short Fiction from Romanticism to PostmodernismÌý(15 Credits)
- SERS0010 - The Making of Modern Russian CultureÌý(15 credits)
- SERS0012 - Representations of RussiaÌý(15 credits)
- SERS0014 - Russian Cinema: History, Ideology, Society
- SEEE0013 - Literature and MemoryÌý(15 credits Term 1)
- SEEE0002 - How Words Work: Sounds and Sense, Linguistics and Verbal Art (15 credits)
- SEEE0003 - How Words Work- Meaning and Modularity (Inter-departmental) (15 credits)
- SEEE0006 - Tales of the Unexpected: the supernatural and fantastic in literature, 1800-1930 (Inter-departmental)Ìý(15 credits)
- SEEE0007 - Languages in Contact along the Danube: Intercultural Frictions and Flows (Inter-departmental)Ìý(15 credits)
- SSEEE0009Ìý- War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema (Inter-dep)(15 credits)Ìý
- SEEE0010 - Minority Languages of Russia: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and Endangerment (Inter-departmental)Ìý(15 credits)
- SEEE0011 - Staging Europe (Inter-departmental) (15 credits)
- SEEE0015 -Ìý Between the Alps and the Adriatic: Modern Slovene Culture and Literature (15 credits)
Please noteÌýwe cannot guarantee that all languages and levels will be available every year.
History Modules
Level 5 Survey modules are open to year 1 students.Ìý All are 30 credits.Ìý
- HIST0483ÌýHistory of the Habsburg Monarchy 1700-1918
- HIST0488ÌýHistory of Russia 1598-1856
- HIST0490ÌýHistory of Modern Germany 1815-1990Ìý- No available spaces for 2024/25
In order to progress from Year One, students must have passed all 120 credits (including any condoned fails).ÌýTo be awarded a degree with honours (classified) in the field of study (HPE) the student must have taken and passed all non-condonable modules, with the overall module pass mark of 40 or above.Ìý
Languages atÌýÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø -ÌýLanguage modulesÌýmay be taken fromÌýthe Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE).
Ìý
- Year Two
In your second year, you will choose your track, specializing in two of the three disciplines embedded in HPE. Whichever two you choose, you must complete at least 30 credits in each of the two subjects. In total, you must choose a total of 120 credits.
All students, regardless of track, must take one of the following core modulesÌý(30 credits):
History and Politics Track
At least 30 credits from the following History modules:
- HIST0483Ìý-ÌýHistory of the Habsburg Monarchy 1700-1918
- HIST0474 - Poland and Lithuania Transformed
- HIST0470 - Crown Church and Estates in Central Europe, 1500-1700
- HIST0472 Successors to the Habsburgs: East-Central Europe, 1914-1945Ìý- Not running in 2024/5
- HIST0476 - Media, Culture and Society in the Soviet Union from Stalin to 1991 - Not running in 2024/5
- HIST0488 - History of Russia 1598-1856
- HIST0490 - History of Modern Germany 1815-1990
- HIST0644 -ÌýThe Rise and Fall of YugoslaviaÌý- Not running in 2024/5
- HIST0676 - A Global History of Socialist Ideas.Ìý
- HIST0721 - History of the Soviet Union.Ìý
Compulsory Politics module (15 credits)
- SESS0033 - Comparative Political AnalysisÌý- Please note that from 2025/26, the compulsory Politics module will be SESS0034 Researching Politics and Society. SESS0033 Comparative Political Analysis will be available as an optional module.Ìý
Plus one optional Politics module from (15 or 30 credits):
- SESS0035 - Post-Soviet Politics and Society
- SESS0004 - The Making of Modern Ukraine
- SESS0027 - The History of European Political Ideas
- SESS0031 - Concepts of Security
- SESS0030 - Russian Politics and Society
- SESS0035 - Post-Soviet Politics and Society
- SESS0061 - Democracy and Democratisation
- SESS0034 - Researching Politics and Society - Dissertation Preparation module for Politics
- SESS0029 - Politics and Society in Central and Eastern Europe
- SESS0062 -ÌýPolitics and Societies of Southeast Europe
- SESS0092 - Revolutions and Society: Revolutions in the Modern World 1600-2021
History and Economics Track
At least 30 credits in History and 30 credits in Economics (note that you are required to choose, as a compulsory module, either SESS0020 or SESS0021)
At least 30 credits from the following History modules:
HIST0470 - Crown Church and Estates in Central Europe, 1500-1700
HIST0472 Successors to the Habsburgs: East-Central Europe, 1914-1945Ìý- Not running in 2024/5
HIST0476 - Media, Culture and Society in the Soviet Union from Stalin to 1991 - Not running in 2024/5
HIST0644 - The Rise and Fall of YugoslaviaÌý- Not running in 2024/5
Choose from ONE compulsory Economics module (15 credits):
ÌýPlus ONE of the following optional Economics modules:
- SESS0023Ìý- Applied EconometricsÌý- Recommended for students who will be writing an Economics Dissertation in Year 3
- SESS0019 - Emerging Market Economies: Economics of Transition
- SESS0020Ìý- Topics in Microeconomics
- SESS0021 - European Macroeconomics
- SESS0026 - Political Economy of European Integration
- SESS0022 - New Venture Creation
- SESS0024 - Economic History and Ideas
- SESS0036 - Economics of InnovationÌý
- SESS0087 -ÌýQualitative Research Methods for Economics and BusinessÌý- Dissertation Preparation module for Economics
Politics and Economics TrackÌý
At least 30 credits in Politics and 30 credits in Economics (note that SESS0033 is compulsory and that you are also required to choose, as a compulsory module, either SESS0020 or SESS0021)
Compulsory Politics module (15 credits)Ìý
- SESS0033 - Comparative Political AnalysisÌý- Please note that from 2025/26, the compulsory Politics module will be SESS0034 Researching Politics and Society. SESS0033 Comparative Political Analysis will be available as an optional module.Ìý
Plus ONE optional Politics modules (15 or 30 credits):
- SESS0035 - Post-Soviet Politics and Society
- SESS0004 - The Making of Modern Ukraine
- SESS0027 - The History of European Political Ideas
- SESS0031 - Concepts of Security
- SESS0030 - Russian Politics and Society
- SESS0035 - Post-Soviet Politics and Society
- SESS0061 - Democracy and Democratisation
- SESS0034 - Researching Politics and Society - Dissertation Preparation module for Politics
- SESS0029 - Politics and Society in Central and Eastern Europe
- SESS0062 -ÌýPolitics and Societies of Southeast Europe
- SESS0092 - Revolutions and Society: Revolutions in the Modern World 1600-2021
Choose from one compulsory Economics module (15 credits):
Plus one of the optional Economics modules (15 credits):
- SESS0023Ìý- Applied EconometricsÌý- Recommended for students who will be writing an Economics Dissertation in Year 3
- SESS0019 - Emerging Market Economies: Economics of Transition
- SESS0020 Topics in Micoroeconomics
- SESS0021 - European Macroeconomics
- SESS0026 - Political Economy of European Integration
- SESS0022 - New Venture Creation
- SESS0024 - Economic History and Ideas
- SESS0036 - Economics of InnovationÌý-Ìý
- SESS0087 -ÌýQualitative Research Methods for Economics and BusinessÌý- Dissertation Preparation module for Economics
All students can take up to 30 credits of HPE electives, from SSEES options, including a language, or from another Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø department.
Please note students can take up to 30 credits of outside modules in their 2nd and 3rd years combined.Ìý
- Year Three
Compulsory modules (30 credits):
- SESS0050 1989: Crisis and the New Global RevolutionsÌýNon - Condonable
Compulsory Dissertation (30 credits)
- SESS0053 Free Standing Dissertation (in one chosen discipline which has been studied in Year 2) Non - Condonable
- HIST0909 History Undergraduate DissertationÌýThis module is for students who have opted to write their Dissertation with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø History, instead of the SESS0053 Free-Standing Dissertation. Non-Condonable
30 credits of Optional modules related to Dissertation discipline from SSEES options or 30 credit Special Subject module if completing HIST0909 History Undergraduate Dissertation with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø History.
For a full list of available Level 6 SSEES and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø History optional modules, please refer to the Module Selection Guidance documenton .
30 credits ofÌýHPE electives, from SSEES options, including a language, or from another Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø department.
You must have at least 90 credits of advanced units (Level 6) accumulated during your studies.
Students cannot begin any new languages at Level 4 in their final year. You must be assessed byÌýÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE),Ìýwho will determine whether you are able to take your desired language at Level 5 or 6. Students cannot study more than one language.Ìý
Please be advised that Level 4 modules are not recommended for final year students and will require approval from the HPE Programme Coordinator, Dr Thomas Lorman. Students can take a maximum of 150 Level 4 credits across their programme.
- Condonement
Guide to Undergraduate Condonement | Students - Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø – University College London
‘Condonement’ helps you to progress through your programme and achieve your degree by allowing a small number of failed modules, as long as overall performance is good.
Are any modules excluded from condonement?
Some programmes include ‘non-condonable’ components or modules which you must pass – your Student Handbook will include details.
For HPE, non-condonable modules are SESS0050 The Crisis of 1989 and SESS0053 Free-Standing Dissertation. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø History DissertationsÌýare also non-condonable.
How many modules can be condoned?
You can be condoned in a maximum of 30 credits per year and, on programmes with more than one year of study, a maximum of 60 credits across your whole programme.
What marks are eligible for condonement?
On most modules, marks of 1.00% - 39.99% can be condoned.
Are there any other criteria?
Yes, in order to be condoned you need to achieve a minimum year average of a pass; this is 40.00% at undergraduate.
Can I be condoned in one module and resit another module?
No, if you fail in more than the permitted number of credits you must be reassessed in all the failed modules, including those modules with marks falling in the condonable range.
Can I resit instead?
No, in order to be fair to all students, if you meet the condonement criteria you will be condoned. If you Resit an assessment it is capped at the pass mark.
Where can I find the formal regulations on condonement?
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Academic Manual includes all of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø’s regulations. The main regulations on condonement can be found in:
- Progression and Award
In order to progress from one year to the next, or to be awarded a Bachelors with Honours, a student should Pass 120 credits in each year of study.
A student who does not Pass 120 credits in a year of study must nonetheless be considered to have met the Progression and Award Requirements if they meet all of the following Condonement Criteria in that year of study:
Ìý
a)
Pass all Non-Condonable Modules, and
Ìý
b)
Pass at least 90 credits, and
Ìý
c)
Attain marks in theÌýCondonable RangeÌýin no more than 30 credits, and
Ìý
d)
Have attained marks in theÌýCondonable RangeÌýin no more than 60 credits up to and including the current year of study, and
Ìý
e)
Have no module marks below 1.00%, and
Ìý
f)
Achieve a credit-weighted mean of at least 40.00% across 120 credits.
Please seeÌýSection 6: Progression & AwardÌýin the Academic Manual for further details.
- Classification
Classification Year Mean (UG programmes only)
1.
On Undergraduate programmes, the ‘Classification Year Mean’ is the credit-weighted average of only those module marks which count towards the classification in a single year of study. It is distinct from the ‘Progression Year Mean’ (seeÌýSection 6.3.3) which is a mean of all module marks in a year of study.
2.
The Classification Year Mean is calculated as follows:Ìý
Ìý
a)
The ‘counting’ marks are identified (e.g. students might drop their worst 30 credits in Year 1, so only 90 credits ‘count’).
Ìý
b)
Each counting mark is given a weighting according to its credit value.Ìý
Ìý
c)
The credit-weighted counting marks are averaged to create the ‘Year Mean’ for each year of study.
Ìý
d)
Each Year Mean is given a weighting (e.g. Year 1: 1, Year 2: 3, Year 3: 5).Ìý
Ìý
e)
The weighted Year Means are averaged to give the ‘Final Weighted Mark’.
Ìý
f)
The Final Weighted Mark determines the Classification awarded.
Honours Degree Classification Scheme
A student who meets the Award Requirements for an Honours Degree should be awarded an Honours Classification.
The Final Weighted Mark must be calculated from the following counting marks, rounded to 2 decimal places:
3 Year Bachelors:
Year 1: Best 90 credits, weighted at 1
Year 2: Best 90 credits, weighted at 3
Year 3: All 120 credits, weighted at 5.Determination of Honours ClassificationsÌý
For all Honours Degree Classification Schemes, the following rules must be used to determine the Classification:
Qualifies for First Class Honours (1):
A Final Weighted Mark greater than or equal to 69.50%
or
A Final Weighted Mark greater than or equal to 68.50%Ìý
and
Module marks of at least 70.00% in at least 50% of the Final Year credits.Qualifies for Second Class Honours Upper Division (2.1):
A Final Weighted Mark greater than or equal to 59.50%
or
A Final Weighted Mark greater than or equal to 58.50%Ìý
and
Module marks of at least 60.00% in at least 50% of the Final Year credits.Qualifies for Second Class Honours Lower Division (2.2):
A Final Weighted Mark greater than or equal to 49.50%
or
A Final Weighted Mark greater than or equal to 48.50%Ìý
and
Module marks of at least 50.00% in at least 50% of the Final Year credits.Qualifies for Third Class Honours (3):
A Final Weighted Mark greater than or equal to 40.00%.
Please seeÌýSection 7: ClassificationÌýin the Academic Manual for further details
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