History - Subject Guide

History encompasses everything that has ever been recorded in the past. That’s a lot to cover, and within this spread of information there are a lot of specialisms. Some specialisms look at a particular culture, or a particular time period, or geographic region. Often, it’s some combination of these things, and while studying it, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how our contemporary world has come to be the way it is. 

Specialisms include:  

• Historiography: This is the study of historical writing and methodology, examining how historical interpretations are shaped by cultural, social, and political contexts, and how historians analyse and interpret the past. It delves into the evolution of historical thought and the development of historical ideas over time. 

• Medieval history: Includes the period of time from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance. It encompasses a diverse range of topics including feudalism, religious and intellectual developments, and the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms across Europe and the Middle East. 

• Naval history: Explores the development of maritime activities, ocean trade and exploration, naval warfare, and seafaring civilisations throughout history. It examines the development of naval technology, as well as the impact of naval power on global trade, colonisation, and geopolitical conflicts from ancient times to the present day. 

• Pre-Columbian: American history Focuses on the civilisations, cultures, and societies that existed in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. It encompasses the indigenous peoples of North, Central, and South America, examining their cultures, economies, political systems, and relationship with the environment. 

• History of art: Examines the development of art across different cultures and periods of time. It explores the significance of art in society, the lives and works of artists, and the evolution of artistic expression in various mediums such as painting, sculpture, and architecture. 

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• Research methods 

• Historiography  

• Ancient empires 

• Medieval Europe 

• Industrial revolution 

• Colonialism and imperialism 

• Revolutions  

• War studies 

Studying history at university teaches you several key subject-specific skills in addition to a more general cultural education. You’ll learn to analyse source material, perform high quality research, form critical arguments, and present your work with a high level of both written and verbal communication. 

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of historical societies, and cultures, and a more intuitive appreciation of how past events continue to shape our modern world. Additionally, you’ll develop transferable skills which are widely applicable in the workplace, such as: 

• Independent study skills  

• Public speaking 

• Presentation 

• Source work 

In the UK, history degrees do not carry professional accreditation, however once you have graduated and are working professionally, then you may seek accreditation from organisations such as the Royal Historical Society (RHC) which is the UK's foremost society working for historians and history, with over 6,000 active members. 

There are many alternative degrees which focus on elements you’ll also cover in a history undergraduate course, although these alternatives may have more focus on the elements you’re the most interested in, which may align with your future career interests or academic goals: 

• Classics 

• Archaeology 

• English 

• Anthropology 

• Politics 

With an undergraduate degree in history, you’ll be able to leverage your historical knowledge and scholarship skills to contribute to our understanding of the past, shape public discourse, and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

There are many career opportunities available across various sectors, including: 

• Historian 

• Professor 

• Archivist 

• Author 

• Librarian 

• Museum curator 

• Heritage manager 

• Historical consultant 

• Public historian 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in history or a related subject. 

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