Why study History at Leicester?

Available Degrees

BA History

BA Contemporary History

BA History and Politics

BA International Relations and History

BA History and American Studies

BA English and History

BA History and Archaeology

BA Ancient History and History 

We are one of the largest history departments in the UK. This allows us to offer a wide choice of degrees, including joint degrees with the Schools of English and Archaeology and Ancient History, the Department of Politics and International Relations and the Centre for American Studies. The expertise of our staff is wide- ranging, with active research in a vast choice of subjects and periods covering all parts of the world. This expertise and the high proportion of course options within the degrees mean that you have real choice.

We have an outstanding and international reputation for teaching and research and combine this reputation with a genuinely friendly environment. Our research feeds directly into our teaching, creating a vibrant and exciting learning atmosphere and allowing our students to benefit from the most recent thinking.

Outstanding Reputation

The School of Historical Studies has an outstanding reputation for teaching and research across a wide geographical and chronological range. As one of the largest history departments in the UK, we offer a choice of periods and subjects from the 5th century to the contemporary world; from English local history to globalisation. Whatever aspect of history interests you, you will be able to construct a programme of study to match your intellectual interests and capture your imagination.

Skills Gained 

We have all chosen History because we know that the past forms our world. A History degree also cultivates a range of personal and technical skills that are widely applicable and highly valued by employers – notably self-reliance, enterprise, communication skills, critical judgement and the ability to evaluate and interpret complex, diverse and sometimes contradictory data. History graduates learn to work individually and as part of a group, they are also IT literate. Additionally, the Stanley Burton Centre for Holocaust Studies has a Resource Room which is run by student volunteers.

Graduate/Career Opportunities

Find out more about the School's Careers Strategy

History graduates are highly skilled and readily employable. A history degree provides everyone with high-level skills necessary for success in whichever sector of employment they join. Recent history graduates have gone into fields as diverse as law, accountancy, journalism, the civil service, the police, teaching, academia, banking and retail. Many of our students take postgraduate degrees in History and in related subjects such as Museum Studies, Archives and Information Management, Heritage Management, or Teacher Training.

There are no part time or Distance Learning courses available.

National Student Survey Ranking: 91% of our students are satisfied with their course
2008 RAE Research Rating: 50% of research designated world leading and international excellent, 90% judged to be internationally significant