Prince Leopold's photo album, 1880s - Venice

Department of History

There has never been a more important time to study the past. An understanding of how we got here is vital to navigating the future. Engaging with culture, politics, economics and the environment, a degree in history develops a uniquely broad range of skills that can open doors to an exciting variety of career paths.

Our research specialisms underpin courses and modules that offer history from the fall of the Roman Empire to the contemporary world. They have a global reach that includes Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Far East, Western and Eastern Europe, and North America.

Key stats

Top 20 for History in the UK (Complete University Guide 2024)
99% of our research is considered 'internationally important' (REF 2021)
94% of students agree that ‘staff are good at explaining things’ and 91% agree that 'the course is intelectually stimulating' (2023 National Student Survey results)

Why choose us?

Career-ready skills - develop your presentation, organisation, teamwork and leadership skills
Breadth of topics - study periods, themes and events from 500CE to the present
Develop your research - specialise in an area of interest, through a year-long 'Special Subject' and dissertation

Find out more, visit the department website

What our students say...

During my last year, I got to explore topics that were of interest to me that were quite unique. I was doing things related to football and to Cyprus, which is where I’m from. I did my undergraduate dissertation on Greek Cypriot refugees. My dad is Greek Cypriot, so the chance to explore something very personal to me was really exciting.

Christos Mouis

Ancient History and History BA graduate

I don't really have a set career in mind, there's so many different roles I'd love to take on. But what I always come back to is how I know that history and politics has given me skills that I can use in a multitude of areas.

Emily Oxbury

History and Politics BA

Our courses

See all

Faculty of Arts

History BA Hons

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
AAB

UCAS code
V100

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

History and Philosophy BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAB

UCAS code
VV51

Duration
3 years full-time or 4-6 years part-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

History and Politics BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
VL12

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

English and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
QV31

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

American Studies and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
TV71

Duration
3 years full-time (or 4 years with optional year abroad)

Start date
Sep 2025

Department of Classics and Archaeology

Ancient History and History BA Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB including A in history

UCAS code
V117

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

History and Contemporary Chinese Studies BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
VT11

Duration
4 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

French and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
RV11

Duration
4 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

German and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
RV21

Duration
4 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

Hispanic Studies and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
VR14

Duration
4 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

History and East European Cultural Studies BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
VRD7

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

Modern European Studies BA Hons

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
R906

Duration
4 years full-time (year 3 abroad)

Start date
Sep 2025

Faculty of Arts

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
BCC

UCAS code
Y14F

Duration
4 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2025

See all

About our courses

Teaching methods on our courses include:

Lectures
Seminars
Workshops
Tutorials
Field trips

Student-centred seminars

You will also learn through student-centred seminars. This is where the agenda and approach of the seminar are set by students themselves. You’ll have full support from staff to develop the seminar content and facilities such as the Digital Transformations Hub and Manuscripts and Special Collections to help prepare material.

As well as challenging you academically, these sessions help you to develop vital skills employers really value.

Assessment

The assessment methods for individual history modules vary. As well as traditional essay writing and exams, you may also be assessed by:

individual or team presentations
interpretation of document sources or images
poster presentations
reviews and reflections on the process of study

The skills that historians learn are highly regarded by a wide range of employers. Our graduates go on to work in:

management (particularly marketing and human resources)
accountancy
the armed forces
business
commerce
journalism
law and public relations.
archives
arts administration
heritage management
museums and galleries
teaching

Find out how you can use your degree.

Varun's experience

"It’s insane how relatable it is to getting a massive book in the library and taking three or four key points out of it, to what I’m doing now, where I’m getting a huge amount of information and summarising the key points for colleagues."

- Varun Lobo, American Studies and History BA graduate, now working as Workday Consultant at Deloitte

We offer opportunities to study in many countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea and the United States of America.

See our study abroad webpage for more information.

Please note: In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria.

Offers are usually made without interview. Please note that students with non-standard entry qualifications, including mature students, may be invited for an interview.

We follow the university's flexible admissions policy and take educational and personal circumstances into consideration.

Further details are available on our applying pages.

Watch the video below:

Join us and be guided by our Admissions Manager, Maryam. With her expert guidance, you'll discover some common myths we hear from potential students. From your reference worries to your predicted grades, and everything in between, Maryam clears up some key points you need to know to start your university experience.

Faculty of Arts

A day in the life of a history student

First-year student Dan shares a typical day...

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Daniel, American Studies and History BA

Daniel explains what made him choose his course, and what he's enjoying so far.

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Arts and Humanities Courses with Foundation Year

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Help and support

If you’re looking for more information, please head to our help and support hub, where you can find frequently asked questions or details of how to make an enquiry.

Department of History

Key stats

Why choose us?

What our students say...

Christos Mouis

Emily Oxbury

Our courses

History BA Hons

History and Philosophy BA Jt Hons

History and Politics BA Jt Hons

English and History BA Jt Hons

American Studies and History BA Jt Hons

Ancient History and History BA Hons

History and Contemporary Chinese Studies BA Jt Hons

French and History BA Jt Hons

German and History BA Jt Hons

Hispanic Studies and History BA Jt Hons

History and East European Cultural Studies BA Jt Hons

Modern European Studies BA Hons

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

About our courses

How will I study?

Placements, work experience and employability skills

Study abroad

Application process

Related articles

A day in the life of a history student

Daniel, American Studies and History BA

Faculty of Arts foundation students

Arts and Humanities Courses with Foundation Year

Help and support

Help and support