History

History at Durham University offers students a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the past, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern history. Our programme is designed to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a nuanced understanding of historical events, processes, and contexts. Students will have the opportunity to study a wide range of periods and regions, including British history, European history, American history, Asian history, and global perspectives. The curriculum combines core modules that establish foundational knowledge with specialized options, allowing students to tailor their degree according to their interests and career aspirations.

Durham's History programme emphasizes research skills, encouraging students to engage with primary sources, develop original arguments, and participate in historical debates. Through lectures, seminars, and independent research projects, students learn to analyze complex historical data and communicate their findings effectively. The department benefits from world-renowned academic staff who are active researchers in their fields, providing students with access to cutting-edge scholarship and diverse perspectives.

Students also have the chance to participate in various enrichment activities such as visits to historical sites, internships, and collaborative projects, fostering a deeper connection with the subject. The programme prepares graduates for a wide range of careers including education, journalism, public history, museums and galleries, government, and international relations. Additionally, the flexible structure of the degree allows students to undertake a Year Abroad or a Year in Industry, enhancing their global outlook and employability.

Our History degree at Durham University prides itself on providing a stimulating academic environment that challenges students intellectually and encourages their growth as critical, reflective thinkers. Graduates leave with a thorough understanding of historical processes and the skills necessary to analyze evidence, construct persuasive arguments, and contribute thoughtfully to discussions about the past and present.

Content

Year 1

The first year of the History degree offers you the opportunity to study a range of periods and approaches to history. Many of the modules cover quite large topics or long periods; these are intended to introduce you to subjects which may be unfamiliar and which pose new questions and new problems, showing you how wide the study of history really is.

You will choose six modules from a list of approximately 12; you must choose at least one Medieval, one Early Modern and two Late Modern modules.

Most first-year History modules largely follow a common pattern. You will have one weekly lecture and a small-group seminar every two or three weeks. For the seminar, you will be given reading to do in advance, and on the basis of this you and the other students in your group will discuss particular issues. Students are expected to lead the discussion in seminars. Most modules are assessed by coursework essays and by a two-hour examination in May/June, in which you write answers to two essay-style questions.

The modules on offer change each year, as they reflect the research interests of staff; we cannot guarantee in advance that a particular module will be running in any particular year. This is a list of some of the modules available in 2014/15, to give you an idea of the range of different themes we cover in the first year:

• Modern Times: a Cultural History of Europe, c. 1860-1960
• The Century of Revolution 
• New Heaven, New Earth: Latin Christendom and the World, 1000-1300
• The Birth of Western Society, 300-1050 AD
• The Making of Modern Africa: Change and Adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa.

Year 2

In the second year, you will study five modules. One of these, ‘Conversations with History’, is a student-led seminar-taught double module which develops your understanding of issues of historiography; it provides an introduction to the writing of more extended historical argument, and prepares students for the final year Dissertation. This is an important feature of our course, and so all Single Honours students will take it. It is divided into different strands covering different themes, and you can choose between these different themes.

Alongside ‘Conversations’, students take four further modules. These are taught intensively over half of the academic year (two in the Michaelmas term and two more in Epiphany and Easter terms).

There are many other departments in the University, of course, and you may take modules from other departments as well – but you may not take more than a total of two such modules in the second and third years. As in the first year, our focus on research-led teaching means that the modules on offer will vary year by year.

This list gives you an idea of some of the modules running in 2014/15:

• Conversations Strands: Slavery in Africa
• Islam and the West
• The Built Environment
• History and Guilt
• Sport and Modern History
• Inventing the Middle Ages.

Year 3

The third year allows you to specialise, with a triple-module Special Subject, taught entirely through seminars, which involves close study of primary sources. For this, you will work in a small group with a specialist in the field – with a three-hour seminar every week. In the final year you will also undertake supervised independent research leading to the writing of a double-module dissertation. Given this emphasis on focused study and independence, there is no requirement for you to study a range of periods in this year.

As well as the Special Subject and the dissertation, you will also take a single module in the third year: third-year History single modules are all strongly reflexive in character, encouraging students to think about the ways in which historical knowledge is produced.

You will choose your own Dissertation topic, through consultation with a supervisor. There are some limits, set by the availability of primary material and the expertise of supervisors, but the potential range of topics is very wide indeed: in recent years topics have varied from representation of bandits in twentieth century Hollywood films to ceremonial in medieval France.

As with modules at other levels, the precise choice of Special Subject and third-year single modules changes from year to year. Our Special Subjects cover a wide range of different periods and historical approaches. This list gives you an idea of some of this range. There are many other special subjects available and the list changes from year to year, allowing us to be completely flexible in the opportunities we provide to students with different historical interests:

Special subjects in 2014/15 include

• A World Turned Upside Down: Radicalism in the English Revolution
• The Black Death
• 1688: Monarchy and Revolution in Britain
• From War to Cold War: US Foreign Policy, c. 1944-1948.

Single modules

• History and its Audiences
• The History of American Capitalism
• China, Asia and the World
• The Making of Modern Europe.

Study Abroad

The Department participates in the University- wide overseas exchanges with:

• Boston College (USA),
• the University of British Columbia (Canada),
• the University of Hong Kong (China) 
• the National University of Singapore (Singapore).

Students can apply to spend the second year of their degree overseas. If you study on the four-year Joint Honours Modern European Languages and History degree, you will spend your third year abroad at a European university or a work placement as part of the University’s ERASMUS exchanges.

Subject requirements, level and grade

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.
• Our current entry requirements for History BA (V100) are:
• A-Level - A*AA including History
• Cambridge Pre-U - D2D3D3 including History
• IB is 38 overall with 666 at Higher Level including History
• Scottish Advanced Highers – A1, A, A in Advanced Highers including History and A, A, A, A, A in Highers.
• Welsh Baccalaureate - Grade C with A* and A at A-level (or equivalent), with at least an 'A' in A-level History.
• Please note ‘Ancient History’ is not accepted in lieu of ‘History’.
• We do not accept General Studies or Critical Thinking A-Level, Global and Independent Research Cambridge Pre-U and Extended Project Qualification as part of our offer.

Preferred Tests:

a. IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0)

b. TOEFL iBT (internet based test): 92 (no component under 23)

c. Cambridge Proficiency (CPE): Grade C

d. Cambridge Advanced (CAE): Grade A

e. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English at Grade C or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

f. Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language at Grade B or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

g. GCSE English Language at grade C or above

h. Pearson Test of English (overall score 62 (with no score less than 56 in each component))

Alternative accepted tests when those listed in a.-h. above are unavailable to the applicant (if the applicant requires a Tier 4 visa to study, advice on the suitability of these alternatives must be sought from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office):

i. Certificate of Attainment (Edexcel)

j. GCE A-levels (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR, WJEC) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

k. International Baccalaureate with a minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English or a minimum of grade 5 if taken at Higher Level.

l. NEAB (JMB) Test in English (Overseas)

m. Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

n. Singapore Polytechnic Diploma and Advanced Diplomas at GPA 3.0 or above

o. WAEC and NECO Grade B3 or above from Nigeria and Ghana

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Funding for the History undergraduate program at Durham University is available through a range of sources designed to support students throughout their studies. Prospective students can explore scholarships, bursaries, and grants offered by the university, as well as external funding options. Durham University provides various Merit-based Scholarships for outstanding academic achievement, which are awarded automatically based on academic performance at the point of admission. These scholarships can significantly offset tuition fees and living expenses, providing valuable financial support to students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the university offers Access and Participation Funding aimed at widening participation and supporting students from underrepresented groups, helping to promote inclusivity within the program.

Students are encouraged to apply for government-backed loans, such as the Student Loans Company (SLC) funding available in the UK. These loans cover tuition fees and maintenance costs, with repayment plans aligned with earnings post-graduation. International students should investigate specific scholarship opportunities for international applicants, as well as private sponsorships and external grants relevant to their country of origin. The university’s financial aid advisors are available to assist students in navigating the application process for these funding options.

Part-time work opportunities are also accessible on campus, allowing students to earn supplementary income without compromising their academic commitments. Durham University’s careers service provides guidance on part-time roles, internships, and placements that can enhance employability skills while supporting financial needs. Furthermore, students enrolled in the History program may access dedicated support from the university’s Student Finance Office, which offers detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, deadlines, and the documentation required for various funding sources. Overall, the combination of internal scholarships, external grants, government loans, and on-campus employment opportunities ensures that students pursuing a History degree at Durham University have multiple avenues to finance their studies effectively.

The undergraduate History program at Durham University offers students a comprehensive education in the history of Britain, Europe, and the wider world, spanning from ancient times to the modern era. Designed to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of historical contexts, the course combines rigorous academic training with diverse specializations. Students have the opportunity to explore topics such as medieval history, early modern periods, modern history, global history, and thematic studies like imperialism, revolution, and cultural change. The program emphasizes both primary and secondary sources, encouraging students to develop their own interpretations and debates about historical events and processes.

Durham University’s history department is renowned for its research excellence and its dynamic teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent research projects. The program is structured to support students in developing their skills in historical analysis, research methodologies, and academic writing. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to engage critically with diverse sources, including archival materials, visual sources, and digital resources, fostering skills that are valuable in various careers.

Placement opportunities and internships are sometimes available for students interested in gaining practical experience in museums, archives, media, or education sectors. Additionally, Durham’s vibrant campus life allows students to participate in history societies, conferences, and field trips, enriching their academic experience and fostering a sense of community among history enthusiasts.

Graduates with a degree in History from Durham University have gone on to pursue careers in education, museums and heritage, journalism, law, civil service, and further postgraduate research. The program aims to produce well-rounded graduates who are equipped with the analytical and communicative skills necessary for diverse professional pathways. The university’s commitment to academic excellence, combined with its supportive learning environment and rich historical resources, makes Durham an ideal place to study history for those passionate about understanding the past and its impact on the present and future.