BA History & Economics | Final Honour School (Second Years) - Course Handbook

2024-26

Welcome!

This handbook applies to students starting the Final Honour School course in History and Economics in Michaelmas term 2024, for examination in Trinity term 2026.

Welcome to the Final Honour School of History and Economics. As you have completed Prelims in History and Economics  you now know your way around Oxford and the academic requirements of the History school. The next two years will enable you to use the skills acquired in the first year to study in much greater depth and breadth, both drilling down much more fully into societies and their surviving sources, and ranging more widely around the world to make bigger connections between the various parts of your accumulating knowledge.

You will become theoretically more sophisticated, and methodologically more competent, which will culminate in writing your own piece of research, and also enable many of you to take on further study in History or Economics, or perhaps another academic discipline. You will also continue to develop the more general abilities and transferable skills which will equip you to tackle the very wide range of careers open to History and Economics graduates.

It is perhaps worth emphasizing here that the final year of the course is very intensive, with both the special subject to be tackled in all its detail, and a thesis to be written, before revision and the final exams. It is therefore important not only to make some time for academic work in the long vacation between the second and third years, but also to ensure that your second-year work is in a good state before the final year, since there will be no time for it in the first two terms of that year.

What follows is the Faculty’s formal Handbook to guide you through the Final Honour School: as well as basic information about facilities and resources and official regulations about courses and examinations, it includes fuller guidance to help you choose amongst the various options, and advice on a range of matters which are new to the course at this stage, such as designing and writing a thesis, professional referencing, and tackling special-subject sources through the specialized practice of writing ‘gobbets’. You will of course also receive plenty of information and guidance from your colleges too, and ideally Faculty and colleges will complement each other.

You probably won’t want to read the Handbook all at once, but do consider its contents so that you know what is available for reference in the course of the next two years; and there may be sections which catch your eye now as of particular interest or relevance to you. We hope that you will continue to make the most of the opportunity of reading History and Economics at Oxford, and to enjoy doing so.

Dr Ian Archer and Prof Lucy Wooding
(Directors of Undergraduate Studies, History)

Dr Chris Bowdler
(Director of Undergraduate Studies, Economics)

The information in this handbook may be different for students starting in other years. This is version 1.0 of the Final Honour School in History and Economics Handbook, published online in October 2024.

If there is a conflict between information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations then you should follow the Examination Regulations.

If you have any concerns please contact the History Faculty Undergraduate Office: undergraduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk.

The information in this handbook is accurate as at date of publication; however it may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at http://www.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges and http://www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges.

If such changes are made the department will publish a new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and students will be informed.

The Final Honour School of History and Economics is a two-year course run by the Faculty of History and Department of Economics.

The course consists of eight papers. The formal Examination Regulations may be found at Appendix 1. The next sections briefly describe the eight units, and full descriptions of each paper are available on Canvas at the links below.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire over the whole course are outlined in Section 2 | Teaching and Learning, which build upon the basic skills you will have developed in the first year.

1| Course Content and Structure

History and Economics brings together the traditionally separate disciplines of history and economics to form a coherent and intellectually stimulating programme. The identity and integrity of both disciplines are successfully preserved, and it is possible to specialize primarily in either history or economics. The combination of economics, economic history and history (political as well as social) means that you will be equipped to view issues in the real world from a variety of contrasting perspectives. With all the options available, the course offers countless different permutations, ensuring that whatever you want from this course, you are likely to find it.

The second and third years of studying History and Economics will present you with challenges different from those of the first year, and should be still more demanding and absorbing. You will continue to study through lectures and regular tutorials which require you to read both widely and deeply, to write essays that answer the question set, and to engage actively in discussion. But both the nature and the teaching of your courses will diversify. Your Economics papers will build upon the knowledge of the institutions and processes gained in studying the Introductory Economics paper, and the Economics Options will tackle more specific topics in greater depth. Similarly, while you may study one or two more History Outline papers giving you a broad overview of a period, one of these may be replaced by a Theme paper looking at a particular theme over a much longer period; and, conversely, the History Further Subject requires focus on a narrower topic in greater depth on the basis of study of the primary sources. This will prepare you to write a thesis on a topic of your own devising, possibly in economic history, writing new history on the basis of primary evidence you have researched. This is an opportunity to vary assessment away from examination papers.

In the next two years you will therefore be expected to extend your range as a historian, an economist and an economic historian, to enhance the subtlety of your thinking and to sharpen and polish your writing. In the second year, when the final examination may seem a deceptively distant prospect, you should be prepared to experiment intellectually, in your choice of papers and in the way that you approach different types of historical question. In the third year, with Finals imminent, you will find that the creative opportunities as well as the demands of the course are at their highest. Those who have made good and imaginative use of the second year will profit most from the opportunities of the third.

As in the first year, it is important to dedicate time in each vacation to consolidate the previous term’s work, in preparation for college collections, and also to begin work on your next paper. In the Long Vacation after the second year you will need both to do some of your thesis-research. The course consists of eight papers (including the thesis). All students must take the paper on the History of the World Economy; three additional subjects in Economics, and a History Outline or Theme paper, and everyone writes a Thesis. There is scope for choice of the other two papers from various Economics and History options.

1 History of the World Economy
2, 3, 4

Three additional subjects in Economics, as specified for the honour school of PPE. Microeconomics, Macroeconomics or Quantitative Economics must be studied in the first year of study in the Final Honours School. Any other subjects must be studied in the final year of study. All subject choices must satisfy the paper combination requirements specified for the honour school of PPE (see table below in 1.1.1).
5 A History Outline or Theme paper (British Isles or European & World History)
6, 7

One of the following combinations:

  1. Two Further Subjects in History
  2. Two Further Subjects in Economics
  3. One Further Subject in History and one Further Subject in Economics
  4. One Further Subject in History and one additional History Outline or Theme paper (British Isles or European & World History)
  5. One Further Subject in Economics and one additional History Outline or Theme paper (British Isles or European & World History)
8 A Thesis, either in History, Economic History, or Economics.

 

There are three further ways in which your choices may be limited in the Final Honour School:

(i) All Economics Finals papers are now optional (except that History and Economics students must offer History of the World Economy). Papers will be split into two groups, FHS1 papers, taught in the second year of a degree, and FHS2 papers, taught in the third year of a degree, and papers in FHS2 may only be taken by students who have taken relevant pre- requisite papers from FHS1. The full set of papers, their availability by FHS1 or FHS2, and the pre-requisites for FHS2 papers are as follows:

Paper

 Available Pre-requisites
FHS1 Microeconomics MT of year 2  
FHS1 Macroeconomics HT of year 2  
FHS1 Quantitative Economics TT of year 2  
FHS1 History of the World Economy TT of year 2/MT of year 3  
FHS2 Public Economics MT of year 3 Micro
FHS2 Game Theory HT of year 3 Micro
FHS2 Microeconomic Analysis HT of year 3 Micro
FHS2 Econometrics MT of year 3 QE
FHS2 Economics of Industry MT of year 3 Micro + QE
FHS2 Labour Economics HT of year 3 QE
FHS2 Economics of Developing Countries HT of year 3 Micro + QE
FHS2 International Economics MT of year 3 Micro + Macro
FHS2 Money and Banking MT of year 3 Macro
FHS2 Finance HT of year 3 Micro
FHS2 Environmental Economics and Climate Change HT of year 3 Micro
FHS2 Thesis MT / HT of year 3  

 

(ii) Overlap rule: The choice of subject for your thesis may impose certain restrictions on the use you may make of material from it in answering questions in other papers. These are set out in section 3.2 Examination Conventions below. Please note that History and Economics students are exempt from the ballot on History Further Subjects.

 

(iii) Illegal Combinations with Prelims Papers

European and World

EWP1 The Transformation of the Ancient World, 370-900

with EWF1 The World of Late Antiquity, 250-650

or EWF2 The Early Medieval World, 600-1000
EWP2 Communities, Connections and Confrontations, 1000-1300 with EWF3 The Central Middle Ages, 900-1300
EWP3 Renaissance, Recovery, and Reform, 1400-1650

with EWF5 The Late Medieval World, 1300-1525

or EWF6 Early Modern Europe, 1500-1700
EWP4 Society, Nation, and Empire, 1815-1914 and EWF10 The European Century, 1820-1925

 

Please be aware of these limits on your choices from the outset. It is your responsibility, and not your tutors’, to ensure that your choices fall within the regulations.

In general, please remember that the arrangement of your teaching, and particularly of tutorials, is a complex business, over which tutors take a great deal of time and trouble.

When your tutor asks you to make a choice, do so promptly, and at all events by the date specified: otherwise it may not be possible to arrange teaching in the subject you want.

Your timetable will depend upon the mix and identity of options chosen in nos. 6 & 7: the timing of Economics options in particular is variable. The thesis can be distributed flexibly: although it is desirable for it to be done as late as possible in the course, in some circumstances it may have to be begun in the Trinity Term of the second year, and continued through the Michaelmas and/or Hilary Term of the third.

The constraints on timetabling are:

  • History Further Subjects are taught in HT.
  • History Outline Papers are generally taught in MT or TT. Economics FHS1 papers run through the second year.
  • History of the World Economy lectures take place in TT of Year 2, but the tutorials can take place in Trinity of year 2 or Michaelmas of year 3.
  • Economics Options are taught in MT3 or HT3 according to the option (see chart below).

The following tables show possible different ways of combining papers for the History and Economics Final Honour School, with a suggested teaching timetable. The four groups of options refer to the four options under 6 & 7 in the Regulations.

A: Students who choose two History Further Subjects will all have the following timetable:

Option A: History-heavy 1
MT2
  • Microeconomics
  • British Isles or European & World History
HT2
  • Macroeconomics
  • History Further Subject
TT2
  • Quantitative Economics
  • History of the World Economy
MT3
  • Thesis
HT3
  • History Further Subject

B: Students who choose two Economics Options are dependent on when those options are taught, but the timetable is likely to be:

Option B: Economic-heavy
MT2
  • Microeconomics
  • British Isles or European & World History 1/2 
HT2
  • Macroeconomics
  • British Isles or European & World History 1/2
TT2
  • Quantitative Economics
  • History of the World Economy
MT3
  • Economic Option
  • Thesis 1/2
HT3
  • Economic Option
  • Thesis 1/2

C: Students who choose a Further Subject in History and another Outline or Theme paper in History:

Option C: Mixed 1
MT2
  • Microeconomics
  • British Isles or European & World History 1
HT2
  • Macroeconomics
  • History Further Subject
TT2
  • Quantitative Economics
  • British Isles or European & World History 2 ½
MT3
  • History of the World Economy
  • British Isles or European & World History 2 ½
HT3
  • Thesis 

D: For students who choose one History FS and one Economics Option, there are two possible timetables depending on which term the Economics Option is taught in:

Option D: Mixed 2a
MT2
  • Microeconomics
  • British Isles or European & World History
HT2
  • Macroeconomics
  • History Further Subject
TT2
  • Quantitative Economics
  • History of the World Economy
  • (Plan thesis)
TT2/MT3
  • Economics Option
HT3
  • Thesis

 

Option D: Mixed 2b
MT2
  • Microeconomics
  • British Isles or European & World History
HT2
  • Macroeconomics
  • History Further Subject
TT2
  • Quantitative Economics
  • History of the World Economy lectures
  • (Plan thesis)
TT2/MT3
  • History of the World Economy tutorials
  • Thesis 1/2
HT3
  • Economics Option
  • Thesis 1/2

The programme aims to enable its students to:

  • acquire a knowledge and understanding of humanity in past societies and of historical processes, characterised by both range and depth, and increasing conceptual sophistication;
  • engage and enhance their critical and analytical skills to identify and analyse key concepts
  • approach the past through the work of a wide variety of historians, using a range of intellectual tools; and thus appreciate how History as a subject itself has developed in different societies;
  • learn the technical skills of historical investigation and exposition, above all how primary evidence is employed in historical argument;
  • enhance a range of intellectual skills, such as independent critical thinking, forensic analysis, imagination and creativity;
  • develop their ability to present their own critical understanding of the issues studied to tutors and peers, and to engage in dialogue with them;
  • express problems as simple models that can be analysed diagrammatically or using mathematics.
  • analyse and argue persuasively in writing, and engage in interactive oral discussion to deepen understanding;
  • develop the ability to work independently, and to plan and organize time effectively;
  • the presentation and description of times series and cross-section data.
  • methods for data analysis, including the use of appropriate computer software for empirical research.
  • the interpretation of empirical evidence in light of research questions and policy decisions.
  • knowledge to put into context policy decisions by governments, central banks and international agencies.
  • promote skills of relevance to the continued professional development of economic analysis, which are transferable to a wide range of employment contexts and life experiences.

In addition, you will acquire and develop a particular set of intellectual, practical and transferable skills:

Intellectual skills: The ability to gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a wide variety of secondary and some primary sources; interpret such material with sensitivity to context; identify precisely the underlying issues in a wide variety of academic debates, and to distinguish relevant and irrelevant considerations; recognise the logical structure of an argument, and assess its validity, to assess critically the arguments presented by others, and by oneself, and to identify methodological errors, rhetorical devices, unexamined conventional wisdom, unnoticed assumptions, vagueness and superficiality; construct and articulate sound arguments with clarity and precision; engage in debate with others, to formulate and consider the best arguments for different views and to identify the weakest elements of the most persuasive views. 
Practical skills: The ability to listen attentively to complex presentations and identify the structure of the arguments presented; read with care a wide variety of written academic literature, and reflect clearly and critically on what is read; marshal a complex body of information in the form of essays, and to write well for a variety of audiences and in a variety of contexts; engage in oral discussion and argument with others, in a way that advances understanding of the problems at issue and the appropriate approaches and solutions to them.
Transferable skills: the ability to find information, organise and deploy it; draw on such information, and thinking creatively, self-critically and independently, to consider and solve complex problems; apply the techniques and skills of philosophical argument to practical questions, including those arising in ethics and political life; apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of Economics to the analysis of economic ideas, institutions practices and issues; make strategic decisions with a sophisticated appreciation of the importance of costs, opportunities, expectations, outcomes, information and motivation; motivate oneself, to work well independently, with a strong sense of initiative and self- direction, and also with the ability to work constructively in co-operation with others; communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing; plan and organise the use of time effectively; make appropriate use of numerical, statistical and computing skills.

The four FHS1 papers in Economics are:

  1. Macroeconomics
  2. Microeconomics
  3. Quantitative Economics
  4. History of the World Economy

Pre-requisite subjects in Economics

All students in History and Economics must study History of the World Economy. At least one of Microeconomics and Quantitative Economics must also be offered. Students should check that FHS1 choices provide them with the pre-requisites for their preferred FHS2 (option) papers (see below).

The lectures and classes will be given in Trinity Term. The QE course is designed to give students a good understanding of the rationale for and intuition about the application of statistical methods to the analysis of a range of applied economics issues, such as the economics effects of education or the behaviour of aggregate consumption. Topics covered will include descriptive statistics, basic statistical distributions and applications to economic data, sampling and hypothesis testing, regression analysis and the testing and interpretation of regression results, time series modelling and empirical applications of these methods in micro and macroeconomics. The exam will include questions covering econometric methods, the practical application of these methods and the interpretation of applications in the applied econometrics literature.

The lectures are given in Hilary Term. The course will introduce you to the ideas and tools of modern macroeconomic analysis, and show how these tools can be applied to issues in macroeconomic policy. The Macroeconomics paper in Finals will contain two sections. Part A will consist of shorter questions designed to ensure that students demonstrate a reasonable coverage of the syllabus. Part B will consist of questions requiring longer answers showing more detailed knowledge of particular topics. You will be required to answer questions from both sections. The course will cover: macroeconomic theories and their policy implications; macroeconomic shocks and fluctuations; unemployment and inflation; exchange rates, interest rates and current account; intertemporal adjustment, growth theory and monetary and fiscal policy.

The lectures are given in Michaelmas Term. The Microeconomics paper in Finals will contain two sections. Part A will consist of shorter questions designed to ensure that students demonstrate a reasonable coverage of the syllabus. Part B will consist of questions requiring longer answers showing more detailed knowledge of particular topics. You will be required to answer questions from both sections. The course aims to introduce you to some of the fundamental ideas and tools of modern microeconomic theory and their applications to policy issues, such as competition and environmental policies. The course will  cover: Risk, expected utility theory; welfare economics and general equilibrium, public goods and externalities; game theory and industrial organisation; information economics and applications of microeconomics.

 

Teaching: 6-8 tutorials.

 

Assessment: A 3-hour written examination takes place during Trinity Term of year 3. The Economics papers each account for one eighth of the overall mark

This is a compulsory paper for History and Economics students. Economic development of the major regions of the world: Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, Oceania. The proximate sources of growth: population and human capital, physical capital and technology. The underlying sources of growth: first and second nature geography, institutions and the state. The consequences of growth: living standards, inequality and consumption. International transactions: real trade and factor flows, finance. Warfare and empire.

Teaching: 8-16 lectures; 6-8 tutorials, in Trinity Term of year 2 and Michaelmas Term of year 3.

Assessment: A 3-hour written examination takes place during Trinity Term of year 3. The Economics Core papers each account for one eighth of the overall mark.

Economics subjects available to candidates in any particular year will depend on the availability of teaching resources. Details of the choices available for the following year will be announced at the Economics Department's ‘Options Fair’ at the beginning of the fourth week of the first Hilary Full Term of candidates' work for the Honour School, and will be posted on the Department's undergraduate web-site at the same time. The Economics Optional Papers are:

  • Microeconomic Analysis
  • Money and Banking
  • Public Economics
  • Economics of Industry
  • Labour Economics and Inequality
  • International Economics
  • Economics of Developing Countries
  • Econometrics
  • Finance
  • Game Theory
  • Environmental Economics and Climate Change
  • Special Subject in Economics
List of Options Lectures Tutorials/ Classes

History of the World Economy

Convenor: Eric Chaney

 TT TT, MT

Econometrics

Convenor: Vanessa Berenguer-Rico

 MT MT

Economics of Developing Countries

Convenor: Sanjay Jain

 HT HT

Economics of Industry

Convenor: Simon Cowan

 MT MT

Environmental Economics and Climate Change

Convenor: Elizabeth Baldwin

 HT HT

Finance

(as an Economics option for PPE and H&E students)

Convenor: Daniel Quigley

 HT HT

Game Theory

Convenor: Alexei Parakhonyak

 HT HT

International Economics

Convenor: Banu Demir

 MT MT

Labour Economics & Industrial Relations

Convenor: Romuald Meango

 HT HT

Microeconomic Analysis

Convenor: Alexei Parakhonyak

 HT HT

Money and Banking

Convenor: Chris Bowdler

 MT MT

Public Economics

Convenor: Massimo Antonini

 MT MT

 

For detailed information about the Economics Options please consult the undergraduate information pages on Canvas: Economics undergraduate information (ox.ac.uk).

It will therefore be very important for students to discuss with their tutors when the Economics subjects are taught, and to timetable the thesis around them. Of course, students may want to choose their options partly with the timetable in mind.

The History of the British Isles outline papers will be assessed by a three-hour timed written examination during Trinity Term of the third year.

You will have some freedom to follow your own interests in the period. In the knowledge that there will be a wide range of questions, and time to do some extra reading, you will be able to probe the history of different societies in the British Isles, and to prioritise political, intellectual, social, cultural or economic history as you choose. Indeed, Finals British History has always demanded greater depth, in terms of closer engagement with specific issues in the period, of reading in monographic literature and perhaps in primary sources too, and of greater historiographical awareness. You therefore have some scope to shape your own course and can take the initiative in discussing with your tutor what you wish to cover during the term.

Nevertheless, the most impressive sets of scripts will also demonstrate breadth – in terms both of the whole chronology of the period and the differences and similarities between the various parts of the British Isles. And they will be imbued with a sense of the interaction of different types of development – economic, cultural, social, intellectual and political. Your tutorial preparation should not therefore be too narrow in chronological, geographical or thematic terms.

Whereas outline papers encourage you to study one period in depth, Theme papers challenge you to study an issue or problem in depth across chronological and geographical boundaries. You will be able to explore how a theme (such as gender and sexuality or the state and national identity) manifests itself in different ways across time and space, and how it has been approached by historians who have very different skills and interests.

Course information for each of the period options available can be found at: https://canvas.ox.ac.uk/courses/22239/modules/items/294642

Teaching: 16 Lectures in Michaelmas Term; 8 lectures in Trinity Term; 8 tutorials in either Michaelmas or Trinity Term, for most of which an essay or some other output such as a presentation will be required.
Assessment: A three-hour written examination takes place during Trinity Term . This accounts for one eighth of the overall mark.

European and World History is divided into fourteen periods, which cover much of the last two millennia. Papers vary in their focus, with some being centred on particular regions and others offering the opportunity to think on a more ‘global’ scale, or to look at different parts of the world and their relationships within particular periods.. You can study times and places not covered in the Preliminary year, and periods are studied in greater depth, requiring you to examine the distinctive features of individual societies as well as to grasp broad themes.  There are in addition three Theme papers on offer this year, which challenge you to study an issue or problem in depth across chronological and geographical boundaries. You will be able to explore how a theme (such as gender and sexuality, technology, religion and war) manifests itself in different ways across time and space, and how it has been approached by historians who have very different skills and interests.

As in your British Isles History papers you should take the initiative in devising your tutorial programme so that it makes the most of both your own and your tutor’s interests.

Course information for each of the European and World History options available can be found at: https://canvas.ox.ac.uk/courses/22239/modules/items/294643

Teaching: 8-16 lectures, usually in Trinity Term; 8 tutorials in either Michaelmas or Trinity Term, for most of which an essay or some other output such as a presentation will be required

Assessment: A 3-hour written examination takes place during Trinity Term. This accounts for one eighth of the overall mark.

History Further Subjects will normally be studied by candidates in the second year, and in the great majority of cases the teaching is in Hilary Term. Please note that finalists may not attend the same Further Subject classes again in their final year.

The Further Subjects have been designed to extend and deepen your knowledge of particular subject areas, topics and themes in British and European and World History. They are intended to be document- and text-based, requiring you to engage with the range of primary material relevant to the subject, to elucidate its significance and to relate it to the scholarly literature. There are over thirty Further Subjects to choose from, ranging geographically across the globe, and conceptually from archaeology to political and social thought. They enable you to study subjects in which members of the Faculty are themselves actively engaged in research, and your choice may well arouse interests which you yourself wish to pursue subsequently. Although it is by no means obligatory, many students do study a Further Subject related to one or more of their British or European and World History papers in the Final Honour School: candidates in Finals are positively encouraged to relate, where appropriate, knowledge gained from their Further Subject to questions set in their outline papers or in Disciplines of History.

Further Subjects are usually taught in a combination of six tutorials (arranged by your college tutors) and six university classes (arranged through the Faculty by the Convenor for the Subject). Each class is taken by one or two Faculty members who are experts in the field, sometimes assisted by graduate students researching relevant topics. The classes provide an invaluable opportunity to learn the skills of working effectively in a group; during the course of the term’s classes you will normally be expected to write and deliver at least one paper, to open the class discussion. Please read the section on Forms of Teaching in chapter two for guidance on how to get the best out of class teaching. Tutors may provide one revision class in year 3 for the Further Subject, but not revision tutorials.

Further Subjects are examined in a single paper in the Final Honour School. You are required to answer three questions, including at least one from both Section A and Section B, and to illustrate your answers as appropriate by reference to the prescribed texts. Questions in Section A are normally derived more directly from the prescribed texts. You should consult past examination papers in the subjects in which you are interested in order to gain an idea of what they involve. These are available in the History Faculty Library and in many college libraries, as well as through: http://www.oxam.ox.ac.uk.

Capping: The number of students who can take each paper is determined by the teaching resources available to each subject. Some are therefore ‘capped’, and where demand for these exceeds the number of places, students are allocated by a random ballot. History and Economics Students are now exempt from the ballot, but will be asked to state their Further Subject choice/s early in Michaelmas Term of the second year.

Course information for each of the History Further Subjects available can be found at: https://canvas.ox.ac.uk/courses/22239/modules/items/294644

Teaching: Twelve contact sessions, usually 6 tutorials and 6 classes, held over Hilary Term of year 2.

Assessment: A 3-hour written examination takes place during Trinity Term of year 3. The Further Subject paper accounts for one eighth of the overall mark.

All History and Economics finalists write a 12,000-word thesis on a topic of their own devising. You are encouraged to choose a subject in Economic History, but are at liberty to choose one in some other branch of History, or in Economics. Many undergraduates find this to be the most satisfying work they do in their History degree. The whole process from designing the topic to handing in is described in detail in the next section.

Teaching: The Faculty provides an initial lecture on framing a topic in Hilary Term of the second year, and the Thesis Fair early in Trinity Term to help suggest sources from a wide range of fields. At total of five hours of advice from college tutors and a specialist supervisor are permitted across the second and third years.

Assessment: The 12,000-word thesis is submitted by noon on Friday of 8th week of Hilary Term of the student’s final year. The thesis counts for one of eight units in Finals.  Please note that the Thesis in Economics is longer (up to 15,000 words) and the submission date is later (Thursday of week 0 of Trinity Term).

In addition, any undergraduate may choose to submit a further, Optional Additional Thesis, on another subject of choice (restricted only by not overlapping in any substantive way with the compulsory thesis). The protocols governing this are the same as for the compulsory thesis, except that it is due by Friday of 0th week of the final Trinity Term.

The advantage of writing an extra thesis is that your lowest mark in Finals is disregarded: you are classified on the top seven of the eight marks you will have generated (provided that no mark is below 50). Those who are concerned about their performance in exams may find this a tempting option. On the other hand, the optional thesis must be written in your own time, largely in the vacations. Consideration must therefore be given to the effect on your other work: you are better served by producing one excellent rather than two mediocre theses, and you may end up using up valuable revision time in the Easter vacation before Finals.

The thesis offers you the opportunity to engage in primary research on a subject of your own devising, and to work out arguments which are entirely your own, not a synthesis of the conclusions of others. It enables you to work as a historical scholar in your own right and to taste the kind of academic work undertaken professionally by your tutors. For those who continue as graduate historians, the thesis will represent a first opportunity to test their abilities as creative and independent researchers, able to define and explore a historical problem on a large scale. For others a successfully accomplished thesis is a clear indication to employers and the outside world that they possess a capacity for organization, self- discipline and the ability to structure a substantial and complex piece of research on their own initiative. Some undergraduate theses are so good that they are ready to be published as they stand. But almost all theses give their authors considerable personal satisfaction, and will be looked back on with pride long after the authors have left Oxford and the study of History behind.

History Papers, Year 2

Paper Term Dept/Faculty College Comments
Lectures Classes Tutorials Classes
[1.] History of the British Isles 1- 7, and Theme Papers A and B MT 16   8*   16 lectures in MT and 8 tutorials in either* MT or TT, can be flexible for Joint School students. In TT, there will be 4 lectures for BIF 1-6, 8 for BIF 7 and 8 for Theme Paper B
HT        
TT     8*  
[2.] European and World History 9 and 11, Theme Papers A and C MT 16   8*   8-16 lectures in MT and 8 tutorials in either* MT or TT for these papers, can be flexible for Joint School students.
HT        
TT     8*  
[3.] European and World History 4-7, 8 and 10, 12 MT     8*   16 lectures in HT and 8 tutorials in either* MT or TT for these papers, can be flexible for Joint School students.
HT 16      
TT     8*  
[4.] European and World History 1-8, 13 and 14, Theme Papers B and D MT     8*   8-16 lectures in TT and 8 tutorials in either* MT or TT for these papers, can be flexible for Joint School students.
HT        
TT 16   8*  
[5.] Further Subjects MT         Taught via 6 classes and 6 tutorials, which take place in HT. (Some tutors have asked to deliver their subject in 7 classes and 5 tutorials.)
HT   6 6  
TT        
[6.] Compulsory Undergraduate Thesis MT         Introductory lectures and workshops in HT and TT of year 2; at least one session with college tutor or external supervisor in TT.
HT 2      
TT 2   1  

History Papers, Year 3

Paper Term Dept/Faculty College

Comments

Figures in this table are in hours unless otherwise stated.
Lectures Classes Tutorials Classes
[1.] Special Subjects 1-31 MT   8 4-6   Submission of Special Subject Extended Essay at start of HT.
HT        
TT        
[2.] Compulsory Undergraduate Thesis MT     4   Maximum of 4 hours advice from supervisor/s during MT and HT. Timing is flexible. Submission at end of HT.
HT      
TT        
[3.] Disciplines of History MT        

Lectures may be attended in either 2nd or 3rd year.ª

College teaching in 10 sessions, usually (but not necessarily) 8 classes and 2 tutorials, across years 2 and 3.†
HT 8ª   2† 8†
TT 6ª  
[4.] Revision MT         One revision class may be offered at some time in TT for the Further Subject, and one revision class or tutorial for the EWF paper.
HT        
TT   1 1  

Economics Papers

Paper Term Dept/Faculty College

Comments

Figures in this table are in hours unless otherwise stated.
Lectures Classes Tutorials Classes
300 Quantitative Economics MT       8 8 Quantitative Economics Classes (arranged by college tutors) NB teaching given in 2nd year
HT      
TT 24    
301 Macroeconomics MT       8 8 Macroeconomics Tutorials/Classes (arranged by college tutors) NB teaching given in 2nd year
HT 21  
TT      
302 Microeconomics MT 20     8 8 Microeconomics Tutorials/Classes (arranged by college tutors) NB teaching given in 2nd year
HT      
TT    

 

(302: Maths and Probability lectures)

 MT 5        
HT            
TT            

 

ECONOMICS OPTIONS PAPERS

  • Economics optional papers for 3rd year students run in Michaelmas term and Hilary term, with the exception of The Development of the World Economy, which runs in Trinity term (taken by 2nd year students), although tutorials may be taken in a different term.
  • The recommended teaching pattern is 8-24 lectures (provided by the faculty) and 8 tutorials (provided by colleges).
  • For the Econometrics, Game Theory and Microeconomics papers, teaching may be given through college classes rather than tutorials.
  • The recommended teaching for students taking the optional thesis or supervised dissertation paper is 8 tutorials (provided by college).
  • There may be restrictions on numbers permitted to offer some Economics subjects in any particular year.

Appendices

 

Final Honour School in History and Economics, 2024-25

A 

  1. The examination in the Honour School of History and Economics shall consist of such subjects in History and Economics as the Board of the Faculty of History and Division of Social Sciences from time to time shall in consultation prescribe by regulation.
  2. No candidate shall be admitted to examination in this School unless he or she has either passed or been exempted from the First Public Examination.
  3. The examination in the Honour School shall be under the joint supervision of the Board of the Faculty of History and the Social Sciences Divisional Board, which shall appoint a standing joint committee to make proposals for regulations concerning the examination. Such proposals shall be submitted to the two Boards which shall make regulations concerning the examination and which, in the case of difference of opinion, shall hold a joint meeting at which the matter in dispute shall be resolved by the vote of the majority.
  4. The Chairs of Examiners for the Honour School of History and for the Honour School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics shall consult together and designate such of their number as may be required for the examination for the Honour School of History and Economics, whereupon the number of examiners shall be deemed to be complete.
  5. The lists of specific papers available in this School from the Honour School of History and in Economics in the Honour School of Politics, Philosophy and Economics will be published by the relevant Boards at the dates defined in the regulations for those schools.

B

Each candidate shall offer:

  • B1. History of the World Economy (subject 311)
  • As specified for the Honour School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. This subject must be studies in the first year of the candidate's enrolment for the Honour School.
  • B2., B3., B4. Three additional subjects in Economics
  • As specified for the Honour School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Any of subjects 300, 301 and 302 must be studied in the first year of the candidate’s enrolment for the Honour School. Any other subjects offered may only be studied in the second year of the candidate’s enrolment for the Honour School. More than one Special Subject (398) may be offered but all subject choices must satisfy the paper combination requirements specified for the Honour School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
  • B5. An Outline or Theme paper in either European & World History or The History of the British Isles as specified for the Honour School of History.  No candidate may offer a paper in the History of the British Isles or European & World History similar to one offered when passing the Preliminary Examination. Illegal combinations will be specified by the Board.
  • B6., B7. Any one of the following combinations, (a), (b), (c), or (d):

(a) two Further Subjects in History;

(b) two Further Subjects in Economics (the notes to B2-4 above apply);

(c)     (i) one Further Subject in History and

(ii) an Outline or Theme paper, subject to the rule on overlap with the Preliminary Examination under B5 above, in either European & World History, except any such period offered under B5 above, or The History of the British Isles, if the paper offered under B5 above is in European & World History;

(d) (i) one Further Subject in History and (ii) one Further Subject in Economics (the notes to B2-4 above apply).

(e) (i) one Further Subject in Economics and (ii) one History Outline or Theme paper, subject to the rule on overlap with the Preliminary Examination under B5 above, in either European & World History, except any such period offered under B5 above, or The History of the British Isles, if the paper offered under B5 above is in European & World History;

  • For all Economics papers (including History of the World Economy but not other papers in Economic History) candidates are permitted the use of one hand-held pocket calculator from a list of permitted calculators published annually by the Department of Economics on its Undergraduate website, which will be updated annually in the week prior to Week 1 of Michaelmas Term.
  • B8. A Thesis from Original Research

Regulation B6 of the Honour School of History shall apply with the following modifications:

Sub-clause 1 For ‘Candidates must submit a thesis as part of the fulfilment of their final examination’ read ‘Candidates must submit a thesis in either History, Economic History, or Economics, as part of the fulfilment of their final examination.’Sub-clause 2 For ‘Theses shall normally be written during the Hilary Term of the final year’ read ‘Theses shall normally be written during the Michaelmas and/or Hilary Term of the final year’.

Sub-clause 3(b) (iii) For ‘Chair of the Examiners for the Honour School of History’ read ‘Chair of the Examiners, Honour School of History and Economics’.

Sub-clause 5 For ‘Honour School of History’ read ‘Honour School of History and Economics’.

Sub-clause 6 For ‘primary historical sources’ read ‘primary historical sources or economic data’; for ‘College History Tutor’ read ‘College History Tutor or Economics Tutor’.

Sub-clause 8 For ‘Chair of Examiners, Honour School of History’ read ‘Chair of Examiners, Honour School of History and Economics’.

Sub-clause 9 For ‘Candidates shall not answer in any other paper, with the exception of Disciplines of History (regulation B5), questions which fall very largely within the scope of their thesis’ read ‘Candidates shall not answer in any other paper questions which fall very largely within the scope of their thesis.’

Sub-clause 10 section ii For ‘Chair of the FHS in History’ read ‘Chair of the FHS in History and Economics’.

Sub-clause 11 : ‘Candidates submitting a thesis in History or Economic History shall observe an upper word limit of 12,000 words (including footnotes, but excluding bibliography and any appendices for which permission has been obtained from the Chair of Examiners) and shall submit the thesis by noon on Friday of week 8 of Hilary Term.  Candidates submitting a thesis in Economics shall observe an upper word limit of 15,000 words (including footnotes, but excluding bibliography and any appendices for which permission has been obtained from the Chair of Examiners) and shall submit the thesis by noon on Thursday of week 0 of Trinity Term.’

  • B9.   An Optional Additional Thesis

A second thesis, in addition to the papers listed under sections B1 to B8 may be offered in accordance with Regulation B7 An Optional Additional Thesis of the Honour School of History, q. v. modified as follows:

    • (a) the subject shall, to the satisfaction of the examiners, fall within the scope of the Honour School of History and Economics;

(b)theses must be submitted electronically using the approved online submission system. In the assignment of honours, attention will be paid to the merits of any such thesis;

(c) not more than two theses may be offered.

(d) Sub-clause 10 For ‘The Final Honour School Examiners will arrive at a formal degree result for candidates who submit an Optional Additional Thesis by inclusion of the 7 highest marks awarded for the 8 papers submitted, except that the mark awarded for the Optional Additional Thesis may not substitute for a mark lower than 50.’ read ‘The Final Honour School Examiners will arrive at a formal degree result for candidates who submit an Optional Additional Thesis by inclusion of the 8 highest marks awarded for the 9 papers submitted, except that the mark awarded for the Optional Additional Thesis may not substitute for a mark lower than 50’.

Contacts

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The main office contact for all undergraduate matters is: undergraduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk

History

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Dr Ian Archer and Dr Lucy Wooding

Undergraduate Officer: Andrea Hopkins

Assistant Undergraduate Officer:  Alex Vickers

Examination Officer: Isabelle Moriceau

Teaching Officer: Callum Kelly

Admissions Officer: Liz Owen

Economics

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Dr Chris Bowdler

Undergraduate Administrative Officer:  Katherine Cumming

Chair of the History and Economics Joint School: To Be Confirmed

Useful Links

History Faculty Website

Economics Department Website

History Lecture List

Economics Lecture List

Canvas

History Faculty Library

Economics Library

Examination Regulations

Oxford Students Website

Student Self Service

Guidance for using Self Service