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...

Christos Mouis headshot
left double quote mark symbol

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. 

 

Read more from Christos >

 

Christos Mouis headshot

Christos Mouis

Ancient History and History BA graduate

left double quote mark symbol

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.

 

Read more from Emily >

 

Emily Oxbury

History and Politics BA

Our courses

See all

Faculty of Arts

3 years full-time

History BA Hons

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
AAB

UCAS code
V100

Faculty of Arts

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

History and Philosophy BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAB

UCAS code
VV51

Faculty of Arts

3 years full-time

History and Politics BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
VL12

Faculty of Arts

3 years full-time

English and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
QV31

Faculty of Arts

3 years full-time (also available part-time)

American Studies and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
TV71

Department of Classics and Archaeology

3 years full-time

Ancient History and History BA Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB including A in history

UCAS code
V117

Faculty of Arts

3 years full-time (available part-time)

Archaeology and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB including A in history

UCAS code
VV14

Faculty of Arts

4 years full-time

History and Contemporary Chinese Studies BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
VT11

Faculty of Arts

4 years full-time

French and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
RV11

Faculty of Arts

4 years full-time

German and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
RV21

Faculty of Arts

4 years full-time

Hispanic Studies and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
VR14

Faculty of Arts

3 years full-time

History and East European Cultural Studies BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
VRD7

Faculty of Arts

4 years full-time (year 3 abroad)

Modern European Studies BA Hons

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
R906

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.

Play Button

Related articles

Faculty of Arts

A day in the life of a history student

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

Learn more

Faculty of Arts

Daniel, American Studies and History BA

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

Learn more

Faculty of Arts

Faculty of Arts foundation students

Find out what it's like to study a foundation degree.

Learn more

Faculty of Arts

Arts and Humanities Courses with Foundation Year

Who is the foundation year for and what is it like?

Learn more
Open Day June 2022