History Joint Honours

History Joint Honours at the University of Birmingham offers students an in-depth exploration of the past through a diverse and engaging curriculum. This programme is designed for those who have a passion for understanding historical developments, cultural transformations, and the factors that have shaped societies over time. By studying History in combination with another discipline, students gain a broader perspective and develop a versatile skill set that includes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication. The course covers a wide range of periods and regions, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their interests, whether they prefer medieval history, modern history, or specialized topics such as cultural history, political history, or economic history. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent research, providing a dynamic learning environment that encourages active participation and intellectual curiosity. Students will have access to extensive archives, libraries, and digital resources, facilitating comprehensive research projects and coursework. The programme also emphasizes the development of transferable skills, including historical analysis, argument construction, digital literacy, and interdisciplinary approaches. Graduates from the History Joint Honours programme at Birmingham are well-equipped for careers in education, heritage management, journalism, public history, research, and other fields requiring strong analytical and research competencies. With expert faculty, a vibrant academic community, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth, this programme prepares students to critically engage with the complexities of the past and to apply their knowledge in a range of careers. Whether pursuing further study or entering the workforce, students will benefit from a rigorous academic experience that fosters intellectual curiosity and a deep understanding of history's relevance in today's world.

Detailed Course Facts

• English

Course Content

First year

History: The first year is the foundational year in an academic process that will see you progress from being a dependent to an independent learner. You will study modules spanning the early medieval to late modern periods. You can choose either Medieval History 500-1050 and Medieval History 1050-1500 or The Making of the Modern World 1500-1815 and The Making of the Contemporary World 1815-2000 (20 credits per module). These explore fundamental themes and issues focused on key periods and indicate the kinds of questions historians explore and some of the methods they employ in answering them. You will also study Practising History (A): Skills in History (Autumn semester) and Practising History (B): Approaches to History (Spring semester), which look more closely at the techniques of the historian and at the nature and evolution of key historical debates.

Second year

History: The second year is an intermediate year that builds on the foundations laid in the first year of study. You engage in Group Research and extend your historical knowledge through two (20 + 20) subject-specific modules chosen from a wide range of available from Option A in the Autumn semester and Option B in the Spring.

Third year

History: The third year represents the culmination of undergraduate study and the final stage of your transition to an independent learner. You hone your historical skills in Advanced Option A or Advanced Option B and you also undertake an in-depth Special Subject module, which is chosen from a variety of available subjects. History/Political Science Joint Honours students only can choose to substitute the 20+20 credit Special Subject module (Pathway A) with a Joint Honours History Dissertation (20 credits) and a final year History optional module (20 credits) (Pathway B).

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 80(Grade A) TOEFL iBT® test : 93

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: AAA-ABB

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34-38 points including History at Higher Level

Required subjects and grades: A level Hstory/Medieval History/Ancient History grade A

Additional information:

Typical offer grades are for guidance only, and will depend on the subjects you are combining. Please read the entries for both subjects. Where there is a disparity between the typical offer for Subject A and the typical offer for Subject B, the higher offer should be taken as the usual offer for the combination of the two.
Other qualifications are considered.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

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

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Birmingham.