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Study History, why & how to study

Studying History will develop your ability to think critically about what happened in the past – and how the past shapes life around the world today.

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CONTENTS

  1. What’s History?

  2. What History degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto a History degree?

  4. What topics does a History degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study History?

  7. What do History graduates earn?

  8. What jobs can you get as a History graduate?

  9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  10. Similar subjects to History

  11. Have any questions?

What’s History?

On a basic level, History is the study of human events in the past. Historians use evidence to try to understand why people believed what they believed, and why they did what they did.

Studying History helps you uncover the different societies, cultures, beliefs and politics in the past. It’s an important field for understanding the roots of modern-day issues.

Take a look at the university league table for History.

What History degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees are often focused on a specific period, region or topic. Or they include combinations with social sciences or languages. Most come with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree award. Examples of degrees:

Ancient and Modern History BA

Explore events from way back to ancient civilisations through to our contemporary world. For instance, from ancient Greece and Rome to the Renaissance and post-World War II.

Search for Ancient History courses.

Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic BA

You can study the cultures of early English, Viking, Scandi and Celt-speaking societies. It’s an interdisciplinary degree where you look at language, archaeology and social sciences.

Find Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic courses.

Economic History and Geography BSc

Take a focus on the economies of certain locations during certain periods of history. You'll consider, for example, how economic processes shape societies. How does geography impact economic activities?

Search for Economic History courses.

History and Politics BA/BSc

This combination allows you to explore how past events and political structures have influenced each other. You’ll look at areas like international relations and economics.

Find History and Politics courses.

Modern European Languages and History BA

Combine your studies of European history with the languages and linguistics of the continent. You’ll probably have to learn to read, speak and listen to a language, such as French, German or Italian.

Search Modern European Languages and History courses.

Other options

Many universities offer the chance to spend a year studying abroad as part of the course. Others may include an integrated foundation year or a professional placement.

What do you need to get onto a History degree?

Typically, entry to an undergraduate History degree requires between 96–165 UCAS points. Some courses may have lower or higher requirements, and not all unis base their offer on UCAS points. Qualifications may include:

  • A Levels: A*AA–CCC
  • BTECs: D*D*D*–MMM
  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA– BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAA–AA)
  • International Baccalaureate: 40–26
  • Universities will usually ask that you have studied: History at A Level (or equivalent)

Other good subjects to have studied include:

  • Ancient history, politics, sociology, economics
  • General studies and critical thinking A Levels may be excluded from offers

Experience that would look good on your application:

  • Work experience isn’t expected, but you could gain some in a heritage setting or museum, or a library or records archive
  • Involvement with local history groups
  • Taking part in a history essay competition or prize
  • Identifying areas of history that interest you through reading books, listening to podcasts (check the Institute of Historical Research) or attending free lectures
  • If eligible, summer schools run by the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

Other requirements for this subject include:

  • A pass in the practical element of science, if taken at A Level
  • Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities

What topics does a History degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

  • European and world history
  • Greek history: war, society, and change in the archaic age
  • Historical argument and practice
  • Historical research: methods and practice
  • History of the British Isles
  • Journeys in the past
  • Roman history: the rise and fall of the Republic
  • Themes in medieval and early modern history
  • Turning points in history

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following and will vary from module to module.

  • Coursework
  • Critical reports
  • Essays
  • Literature reviews
  • Oral presentations
  • Poster sessions
  • Short tests
  • Exams may include short answer questions, essays and data analysis
  • A dissertation or project report in your final year

Why study History?

Whether it is the role of charismatic dictators like Caesar through to Hitler, or the significance of religion in human conflict, humans have the habit of ignoring obvious factors which can lead to war and oppression.

As a historian, you’ll study particular patterns in human history to identify where we’ve been going wrong. You'll learn how to comment on it, and suggest ways to avoid it in the future.

Career-specific skills:

  • In-depth knowledge of history covering specific periods or regions
  • Understanding the interplay between political, social, religious and economic factors affecting communities, from a local to international level
  • Use of historical texts and records for research
  • The ability to sift, interpret and make sense of a range of information

Transferable skills:

  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking and reasoning
  • Numeracy and IT skills
  • Presenting considered arguments
  • Problem solving
  • Reflective learning
  • Research

My course has been everything I wanted and more; I met so many amazing people and have loved challenging the way I think about problems and solutions.

Lucy, University of Exeter

What do History graduates earn?

History graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £18,000–£24,000.

If you become an archivist, your salary might range from £28,500–£61,000 (as recommended by the Archives & Records Association). It will depend on your skills and level of managerial responsibility.

An option is to use your knowledge to help others engage with history. You could earn £23,500–£37,000 in the museum or heritage sector by producing materials or events for school groups or families. Become a classroom teacher, and you could be paid £25,700–£41,604 in a secondary school.

What jobs can you get as a History graduate?

History equips you with transferable skills that are highly prized by a range of employers. Graduates go into careers in areas like teaching, government, financial services, arts and media, marketing and consultancy.

  • Archivist
  • Broadcaster
  • Business manager
  • Historical adviser for films
  • Historic building inspector
  • Information manager
  • Journalist
  • Lecturer
  • Museum curator
  • Museum education or outreach officer
  • Parliamentary adviser
  • PR officer
  • Solicitor
  • Teacher
  • Web content manager

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate opportunities may focus on a specific region or examine history through the lens of economics, politics or the environment. Graduates with a History degree will require a PGCE if they wish to become a teacher.

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

  • American History MPhil
  • Economic and Social History MSc
  • Environmental History MLitt
  • History MA/MPhil/PhD
  • Regional and Local History PGCert

Similar subjects to History

If you’re keen to learn about people and culture, you could also consider:

Search undergraduate History courses now!

Have any questions?

Ask our experts! You can email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying History – we’ll be happy to hear from you.

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