Roma Bains

How has studying History at Birmingham shaped your understanding of the West Midlands and your own roots in the Black Country? 

I’ve always loved history and culture, but studying History at Birmingham has helped me see my home region in a completely new way. Growing up in Wolverhampton, places like the Black Country Living Museum were part of my everyday landscape, even if I didn’t always think of them as academic history at the time. 

Through my studies, I’ve started to understand how the West Midlands fits into much bigger national and global stories. The region’s industrial past, its communities and its cultural output now feel connected rather than separate. Seeing how places like the Black Country Living Museum continue to shape popular culture, including productions such as Peaky Blinders, has made history feel alive and relevant rather than distant. 

Studying at Birmingham has also made me more aware of the University’s role as a civic institution. There’s a real emphasis on engaging with the city and its history, not just studying it in isolation. That’s helped me feel more connected to both the University and the region I grew up in, and proud to be studying History in a place where the past still shapes the present.  

What has surprised you most about studying History at postgraduate level? 

What’s surprised me most is the learning environment. Moving from undergraduate to postgraduate study felt like a big step, and I worried about imposter syndrome at first. 

What I’ve found instead is an environment that values individuality rather than just teaching us standardised content. Seminars are discussion based, with everyone bringing different readings, interests and interpretations to the table. It feels much more driven by curiosity than by a strict mark scheme. 

The variety of academic backgrounds has been a real highlight. Some students come from History, while others come from undergraduate areas like art and design, which brings completely different ways of thinking into the room. Some people naturally approach topics through cultural history, others through global perspectives, and that diversity constantly pushes my thinking in new directions.  

Is there a particular area of History or a specific module that you’re especially passionate about, and why? 

I’m especially passionate about how historians approach colonial and imperial histories. What interests me most isn’t just learning about these periods but questioning how their stories have traditionally been told. 

Through my studies, I’ve explored histories that centre perspectives often missing from the historical record, including the experiences of individuals living under colonial rule in places such as India and within the African diaspora. Looking at the wars and expansion of the British Empire from non-European viewpoints has been particularly eye opening, as it challenges narratives that are often taken for granted. 

This year, the Historical Approaches module has encouraged me to think more deeply about the role of the historian. We’re asked to consider our purpose, our responsibilities and how we decide which histories are told. That balance of developing my skills as a historian, while also critically engaging with the question of why we do history is what’s made studying History at Birmingham especially engaging for me. 

How is your course and the University helping you work towards your future goals? 

My course has helped me realise just how wide the range of opportunities open to History graduates really is. Studying within the College of Arts and Law has shown me that a History degree develops skills that go far beyond academic writing. Alongside essays, we’ve worked on group projects, presentations, and creative assessments like podcasts and visual work, which has helped me think more flexibly and confidently about how my skills apply beyond my studies.  

The University’s careers support has also played an important role in shaping my future goals. Through having one-on-one meetings with advisers, I’ve realised that I’m particularly interested in working within higher education. Being part of the university community has shown me how impactful this environment can be in supporting students and shaping futures. 

In addition, I’ve found that the University not only advises but directly helps us get experience. During my undergraduate degree at Birmingham, I completed a Professional Skills module, where I undertook work experience and was assessed through reflective work on what I’d learned. Many opportunities for internships and work placements are available through the university, and the careers network is super supportive in sharing these opportunities with us. They advise us on what’d be useful for the careers we want to go into and the skills we want to develop. Having this support alongside my academic studies has been really valuable in helping me think about the kind of career and workplace that would suit me. 

Overall, I’ve found that Birmingham encourages you to follow your interests while giving you the tools and guidance to turn those interests into realistic next steps.  

What do you think is unique about studying History at the University of Birmingham compared to other universities? 

What makes studying History at the University of Birmingham unique for me is the personal touch within such a strong academic environment. What stood out early on was how approachable and invested the lecturers are in students’ development. Through seminars, student hours and the personal tutor system, I’ve felt encouraged to test ideas, ask questions and take my own research interests seriously. That sense of being treated as an active participant in the discipline has made a real difference to how I approach my studies. 

That support became especially meaningful during my dissertation. Through detailed feedback and conversations with my advisor, I was encouraged to think more ambitiously about my work, and it was during this process that I was first encouraged to consider postgraduate study. Having that reassurance from someone within the department helped me recognise my own potential and take the next step with confidence. 

For me, this experience reflects what makes studying History at Birmingham distinctive. It’s an environment that combines academic challenge with genuine encouragement, where curiosity is valued and students are supported to grow intellectually over time. 

Why is the city of Birmingham a good place to immerse yourself in History? 

Birmingham is a city where history isn’t confined to textbooks or museums. It’s reflected everywhere you walk. 

From the murals in Digbeth to the artwork around Centenary Square, the city tells its story through public space. Statues and memorials across places like Smethwick reflect the area’s political, industrial and social past, and make you stop and think about who and what has shaped the region. 

That sense of history is reflected in people too. You see it in fashion, like the return of flat caps, and in everyday conversations, whether that’s someone in a Smethwick pub excitedly talking about Malcolm X’s visit or sharing stories that reveal how globally connected the city has always been. 

Being surrounded by history in this way makes learning feel active and immersive. The city allows you to connect what you study in the classroom with the world around you, which is one of the reasons Birmingham is such a powerful place to study History.