History

The Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Cambridge offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to explore the complexities of the past, engaging critically with a diverse range of historical periods, regions, and themes. This prestigious program is designed to develop students' analytical skills, contextual understanding, and research abilities, equipping them with a deep appreciation for how historical events have shaped the modern world. Throughout the course, students will examine topics such as ancient civilizations, medieval society, early modern Europe, and contemporary history, gaining insights into political, social, economic, and cultural developments.

The curriculum encourages both breadth and depth, allowing students to tailor their studies according to personal interests and academic goals. They will undertake rigorous coursework, participate in stimulating seminars, and develop independent research projects under the guidance of expert faculty members renowned for their contributions to the field. The program emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based analysis, and clear communication, preparing graduates for careers in academia, journalism, education, public history, and beyond.

Cambridge’s history program also offers unique resources, including access to extensive archival collections, museums, and libraries, facilitating comprehensive research opportunities. The vibrant intellectual community provides a stimulating environment for debate and collaboration. Students are encouraged to develop their own interpretations of historical events, supported by a wide range of historiographical approaches and methodologies. The course structure combines lectures, seminars, and tutorials, fostering close academic mentorship and personalized learning.

Graduates of the History program at Cambridge emerge as informed, analytical, and effective communicators, capable of contributing thoughtfully to discussions on historical and contemporary issues. With a rich tradition of academic excellence, the program aims to cultivate historians who are not only knowledgeable about the past but also skilled in applying their insights to present-day challenges. Students matriculate with a comprehensive understanding of history’s significance and a versatile skill set that benefits various professional fields.

Teaching is provided through a combination of Faculty lectures and classes to cover course content, and College supervisions. On average, you attend eight to 10 lectures each week.

Your weekly supervisions, for which you typically write an essay, give you the opportunity to debate and develop your ideas with a senior historian and expert supervisor.

Years 1 and 2 (Part I)

Part I lasts two years (six terms) and comprises six papers, the first five of which are broad survey papers designed to give you an overview of a period in history. You study one each term for the first five terms and sit a written examination in each at the end of Year 2.

• You take at least one paper on a period of British political history and at least one paper on a period of British economic and social history.
• For the other three papers it’s possible to study any period of European history from the Greeks to the present, global and imperial history, the history of North America and the United States, and/or the history of political thought. If you wish, you can begin to specialise, for example in ancient and medieval papers, or almost entirely in the twentieth century.

For the compulsory sixth paper – Themes and Sources, an introduction to the handling of primary sources – you submit a 3,000-5,000 word essay. There’s a wide choice of topics, typically investigating a major comparative theme in history (such as the environment, money and society, or the history of the body). The essay is written over a period of some months and involves individual research.

Year 3 (Part II)

You take five papers, three of which are compulsory:

• Historical Argument and Practice – a general methodological paper that reflects on the broad issues of historical argument and practice arising out of work throughout the degree course (themes range from empire to gender, and from revolutions to race)
• a Special Subject – consisting of two papers (one assessed by a long essay of 6,000-7,000 words, the other by a written examination) that provide an opportunity for advanced in-depth study of an important historical period, process or problem (eg the Angevin Empire, Indian democracy, the Black Death, the history of Ireland) through detailed examination of primary sources

For your remaining papers, you can either choose two Specified Subjects from a selection of topics or comparable themes in history, or choose one Specified Subject paper and write a dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words on a topic you have devised.

Specified Subject papers cover many different time periods and parts of the world, from the Roman world to the twentieth century, and from the history of the Pacific Ocean to America’s involvement in Vietnam.

Though the dissertation isn’t compulsory more than half of our students take the opportunity to write one, and many find it one of the most rewarding aspects of their time here at Cambridge. Recent examples of dissertation titles include Crime and the Entertainment Industry of Chicago 1921-33, The Decline of Vauxhall Gardens 1780-1859, and Robert Clive and the ‘Gift’ in Eighteenth-Century India.

• All applicants to the University of Cambridge must submit an application to UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by the relevant deadline.
• The Attestat o (polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) is not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge. We strongly recommend that you undertake further study if you wish to apply for an undergraduate degree. Examples of the qualifications that would be considered suitable for admission to Cambridge are A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), five or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or possibly the first year of an undergraduate degree at a university outside the UK. We recommend that you contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
• IELTS – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element.
• Cambridge English: Advanced – grade A or B.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency – grade A, B or C.

Admissions assessments

All applicants are required to take the pre-interview written assessment for History at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college).

Assessment format

• Section 1: Reading Comprehension (60 minutes)
• Section 2: Essay/text response (60 minutes)

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

The financing options for the History undergraduate program at the University of Cambridge are designed to provide students with a range of financial support mechanisms to facilitate their studies. Tuition fees are set annually and vary depending on the student's residency status, with different rates for UK, EU, and international students. UK students typically benefit from government-supported funding schemes such as Student Finance, which may include tuition fee loans and maintenance loans to cover living expenses. For EU and international students, the costs are higher, and funding options are more limited, often requiring students to seek scholarships, grants, or external funding sources.

The University offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries aimed at supporting its students financially. These include Merit-based scholarships awarded based on academic achievement, as well as need-based bursaries designed to assist students from less privileged backgrounds. Many colleges within the university also provide their own financial aid packages, which can significantly reduce overall costs. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the specific funding opportunities available at the college they will be affiliated with.

In addition to university-specific funding, students may access external scholarship programs, including government grants, charitable foundations, and international sponsorships, especially for non-UK students. Part-time work opportunities within the university and the surrounding Cambridge community are commonly utilized by students to supplement their income during their studies. The university's financial aid services provide guidance on budgeting, eligibility criteria, and application procedures to ensure students are well-informed about their options.

It is important to note that application deadlines for several funding schemes are typically aligned with the admissions cycle, requiring early planning and submission of supporting documents. Students are advised to review the official university website and contact the financial aid office for the most current and detailed information regarding available funding options, eligibility criteria, and application procedures. Overall, the University of Cambridge aims to make its History program accessible through a comprehensive array of financial support systems, enabling talented students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their academic goals.

Your living expenses may be higher than for a Home student (eg if you stay in Cambridge/the UK during vacations). The minimum resources needed in Cambridge for the year (excluding tuition and College fees) are estimated to be approximately £10,080 in 2017-18 and £10,310 in 2018-19, depending on lifestyle (you should allow for increases in future years).