The first half of this module provides an introduction to Welsh history from the twelfth to the twenty-first century. The second part then gives you the chance to research and write a dissertation on a Welsh history topic of your own choosing.
Throughout this module, the issue of national identity will be a major theme (and a topical one in the wake of devolution and Brexit). Some of the key questions it seeks to address include:
In order to explore these issues and lay the groundwork for the dissertation, the first part of the module consists of the following five study blocks:
National identity is the theme that ties the module together, but it also acts as a jumping-off point for a much broader engagement with the past. You will be looking at some of the events, trends and movements that have shaped the history, not just of Wales but of Britain and, in some cases, of Western Europe as a whole. Indeed, a central question that this module asks is the extent to which Wales constitutes a microcosm for those wider issues. So, while this module is focused on Welsh history, it also serves as a case study for examining bigger issues.
The five topics listed above do not represent a full coverage of Welsh history. Instead, they are intended to provide opportunities to explore how Welsh identity has changed over time whilst simultaneously giving you a springboard for your own research. This is a really important point because, in the second half of the module, you'll be researching and writing a dissertation on a question of your own choosing.
Examples of dissertations written by previous students can be seen on Open Research Online.
By studying this module, you will gain:
You will develop the ability to:
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
This module is entirely online. It centres on a module website which will take you step-by-step through the module, give you access to a large number of online resources, and enable you to work closely with your fellow students. The website includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
A329 is an option module in our:
The making of Welsh history starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2027.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This is an OU level 3 module, which builds on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous modules at OU levels 1 and 2. This module is intended for students who have already studied history or classics at OU levels 2 or 3, and who wish to conduct an extended piece of independent research.
Knowledge of the Welsh language is not required.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
You are not required to do any formal preparatory work before the module starts. However, we recommend reading Geraint Jenkins’ A Concise History of Wales (2007), which offers a scholarly yet highly readable introduction to the history of Wales from before the Romans to the present day. If you have the time, you could also read John Davies’ A History of Wales (1994 or 2007), which traces the political, social and cultural history of Wales from prehistoric times to the modern era.
Both are available from most booksellers, and Geraint Jenkins’ A Concise History of Wales can also be accessed as an ebook via The Open University library.
In addition, you may already have some ideas about which areas of Welsh history you would like to focus on in your dissertation. Please feel free to start reading up on them (remembering that your dissertation needs to relate in some way to one of the five module blocks).
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying A329 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
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| 03 Oct 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 | 10 Sep 2026 | £4,088 |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
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Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
