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Serena Sandhu

History Major, Graduated 2006

A history degree at Lancaster University is what you make of it – you can get as much out of it as you like. You have the option to study the full three years at Lancaster or you can take the opportunities that are on offer and study for a term in Copenhagen or a year in America during your second year. I have always been one for adventure and that is what attracted me to this University - you have the chance to do something unique. Going to Wellesley College in Boston was an immense experience. I studied diverse subjects such as Native American history and was able to take up some new pursuits such as archery and ice hockey. But just be aware that it is hard work – you need to put in the effort to get the best results.

If there is one thing I advise it is to try something different. The degree scheme is structured for this as the first year is all about experimenting and finding out more about your chosen subject. Coming straight from A Levels where I enjoyed topics such as Nazi Germany I was confident that my studies would focus on modern history. However, during my first year my tutors recommended branching out and trying something pre-1900s. I enrolled on The Enlightenment course and was surprised how enthralled with scientific history I became. In my final year I chose Film Propaganda in Nazi Germany and Wartime Britain as my special subject as it focused on a period I enjoyed studying but introduced me to it from a different angle – studying it purely from a propaganda perspective. The special subject is a double weighted module so you learn the topic in depth which is brilliant. I would thoroughly recommend this course as you may not realise how much you can learn from watching a film, but beware – it becomes hard to watch the TV without looking for hidden propaganda!

A Lancaster history degree is so flexible with such a breadth of choice that sometimes it is hard to choose what to study. However, the staff are approachable and friendly so that if any academic or personal problems arise they are always there to talk to. The same level of expertise given in lectures is also true when assigned your dissertation mentor. Although it may seem daunting to write 10,000 words it is actually not as long as it seems. My dissertation was the most enjoyable aspect of my degree. If you choose a topic you are passionate about then the researching and writing will be something of a pastime.

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