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Modern Britain in a Global Context - NSC00008M

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  • Department: Norwegian Study Centre
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2026-27
    • See module specification for other years: 2025-26

Module summary

This module is for Norwegian Study Centre Postgraduate Students only.

This module uses key events in the history of Britain since 1945 to explore key themes in modern global history, in the process offering new perspectives on the recent past and its relationship to contemporary culture and politics.

Professional requirements

N/A

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2026-27

Module aims

This module aims to…

  • Introduce students to several of the most significant developments in British and global history since 1945, ranging from decolonisation and the end of empire to European integration and Brexit.

  • Use historical examples to engage with themes that are relevant to understanding contemporary culture and politics, including environmentalism, multiculturalism, and neoliberalism.

  • Encourage students to think creatively and critically about the long-term significance of historical events, including their utility for addressing contemporary issues.

  • Develop existing skills in forming arguments and deploying evidence by allowing students to engage analytically with a broad range of historical primary and secondary sources.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, you will…

  • Understand key debates and ideas in post-1945 British history, and be able to recognise the importance of this history’s relationship to broader global developments.

  • Be equipped to make analytical observations regarding the usefulness of historical events for helping to assess contemporary culture and politics.

  • Have gained experience and confidence in engaging with relevant primary and secondary source material.

  • Have developed the research and writing skills needed to produce academically-oriented arguments.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

N/A

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Module feedback

Formative: During the teaching period, you will write a draft version of your essay upon which you will receive written comments within 2 weeks of submission. You will also have a one-to-one tutorial with your tutor regarding their feedback. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is provided in a pedagogical spirit, and the NSC also offers you help in learning from your feedback.

You will receive written feedback on summative assessments within twenty days of submission.

Indicative reading

There is no textbook, as such, for this module, but students could consult Parts IV & V of James Vernon, Modern Britain: 1750 to the Present (Cambridge, 2017) for an introduction to some core themes. A full week-by-week reading list (and larger bibliography to support essays) will be made available to all students.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.