Study History, why & how to study

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 what happened 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, therefore, helps you uncover just how different society, culture, beliefs, and politics were in the past and how we got from then to now.

What History degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in History include combinations with social sciences or languages, as well as degrees focused on a specific period, region or topic:

• Ancient and Modern History BA
• Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic BA
• Economic History and Geography BSc
• History and Politics BA/BSc
• Modern European Languages and History BA

Options may include an integrated foundation year, placement year or study abroad.

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 might be found in a heritage setting or museum, or in 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:

• 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 may be required 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, comment on it, and suggest ways to avoid it in the future.

Career-specific skills:

• In-depth knowledge of history covering specific time 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

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), depending on your skills and level of managerial responsibility.

You could use your knowledge to help others engage with history, earning £23,500–£37,000 in the museum or heritage sector by producing materials or events for school groups or families. Become a teacher, and you could be paid £25,700–£41,604 as a classroom teacher 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 on to careers in areas like teaching, government, financial services, arts and media, marketing and consultancy.

• Archivist
• Broadcaster
• Business manager
• Historical adviser for films
• Historic buildings inspector
• Information manager
• Journalist
• Lecturer
• Museum curator
• Museum education or outreach officer
• Parliamentary advisor
• 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:

• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Celtic Studies
• Classics
• History of Art, Architecture & Design
• Politics
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Theology & Religious Studies

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.