History BA (Hons)

Come face to face with the past, and explore what it can tell us about our present and future lives, with our BA (Hons) History degree in Cambridge. Focusing on a range of periods and themes including British and global histories race and politics, gender, sexuality and the body, and also how we recreate history, you’ll take part in hands-on historical research to make sense of how past events have shaped our world today, and what they might mean for our future.Cambridge is the perfect place to study history. Thanks to our close links with local organisations, you’ll find yourself handling historical objects, leafing through archival material, and working with museum professionals as well as engaging with digital sources and archivesThere’s also the chance to study abroad for a semester, take part in European field trips, and go on work placements as you prepare for a career in many different fields including business, management, local government, heritage, museums and more. As a history student at ARU, you'll form an understanding of why people and societies think and behave as they do – and how these actions can echo down the centuries.This historical insight will sharpen your ability to analyse and tackle complex problems, such as how social divisions arise and dictators come to power. You’ll also form an awareness of the limitations of our knowledge and the dangers of simplistic explanations. These are important skills, with the World Economic Forum listing complex problem solving and critical thinking as two of the top 10 skills we need to thrive in today’s workforce. In Years 2 and 3, our optional modules allow you to explore the areas of history that interest you most, with topics including the First World War, modern British politics, sport, the Russian Revolution and histories of everyday life. There’s even a class on the history of James Bond! Meanwhile, your Undergraduate Major Project will let you complete a substantial piece of research work so that you become a historian in your own right.You’ll be supported by staff, recognised as leaders in their field, whose expertise ranges from British imperialism and Victorian studies, to modern politics, gender history and the history of sense and emotions. It’s no surprise that our BA (Hons) History degree received an overall satisfaction score of more than 94% in the National Student Survey 2020 and came 4th in the UK for ‘Satisfied with Teaching’ in The Guardian University Guide 2019.