Prince Leopold's photo album, 1880s - Venice

Department of History

From the fall of empires to contemporary issues, dive into the events that shaped our world. Develop transferable skills through dynamic, research-led study.

There has never been a more important time to study the past. An understanding of how we got here is vital to navigating the future. Engaging with culture, politics, economics and the environment, a degree in history develops a uniquely broad range of skills that can open doors to an exciting variety of career paths.  

Our research specialisms underpin courses and modules that offer history from the fall of the Roman Empire to the contemporary world. They have a global reach that includes Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Far East, Western and Eastern Europe, and North America.  

Daniel Hucker (Associate Professor) talks about history at the University of Nottingham.

Daniel Hucker (Associate Professor) talks about history at the University of Nottingham.

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Joint honours subjects

Did you know, you can study history as part of a joint honours degree? You can choose from:

Foundation Year students can progress to a wide range of our joint honours degrees, while you can also build your own degree and study a range of subjects in our Liberal Arts course.

Why choose us?

You may also progress to our courses from our Arts and Humanities Foundation Year, subject to eligibility.

Some key statistics

  • Top 20 for History in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025)
  • 99% of our research is considered 'internationally important' (REF 2021)
  • Student satisfaction - 95% of students said the teaching staff are excellent at explaining concepts (National Student Survey 2024)​
  • 7th best university in the UK for work experience (Rate My Placement Best Universities for Work Experience 2025)
  • ​Top 3 most targeted UK university by leading employers (The Graduate Market High Fliers Research 2024)​

What our students say...

Christos Mouis headshot
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During my last year, I got to explore topics that were of interest to me that were quite unique. I was doing things related to football and to Cyprus, which is where I’m from. I did my undergraduate dissertation on Greek Cypriot refugees. My dad is Greek Cypriot, so the chance to explore something very personal to me was really exciting. 

 

Read more from Christos >

 

Christos Mouis headshot

Christos Mouis

Ancient History and History BA graduate

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I don't really have a set career in mind, there's so many different roles I'd love to take on. But what I always come back to is how I know that history and politics has given me skills that I can use in a multitude of areas.

 

Read more from Emily >

 

Emily Oxbury

History and Politics BA

Our courses

See all

Faculty of Arts

History BA Hons

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
AAB

UCAS code
V100

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2026

Faculty of Arts

History (with Foundation Year) BA Hons

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
BCC

UCAS code
V10F

Duration
4 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2026

Department of Classics and Archaeology

Ancient History and History BA Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
V117

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2026

Faculty of Arts

History and Politics BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
VL12

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2026

Faculty of Arts

History and Philosophy BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAB

UCAS code
VV51

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2026

Faculty of Arts

Liberal Arts BA Hons

Qualification
BA Hons

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
Y002

Duration
3 years

Start date
Sep 2026

Department of Classics and Archaeology

Ancient History and Archaeology BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
ABB

UCAS code
VVC4

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2026

Faculty of Arts

English and History BA Jt Hons

Qualification
BA Jt Hons

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
QV31

Duration
3 years full-time

Start date
Sep 2026

See all

About our courses

Teaching methods on our courses include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials
  • Field trips

Student-centred seminars

You will also learn through student-centred seminars. This is where the agenda and approach of the seminar are set by students themselves. You’ll have full support from staff to develop the seminar content and facilities such as the Digital Transformations Hub and Manuscripts and Special Collections to help prepare material.

As well as challenging you academically, these sessions help you to develop vital skills employers really value.

Assessment

The assessment methods for individual history modules vary. As well as traditional essay writing and exams, you may also be assessed by:

  • individual or team presentations
  • interpretation of document sources or images
  • poster presentations
  • reviews and reflections on the process of study

The skills that historians learn are highly regarded by a wide range of employers. Our graduates go on to work in:

  • management (particularly marketing and human resources)
  • accountancy
  • the armed forces
  • business
  • commerce
  • journalism
  • law and public relations.
  • archives
  • arts administration
  • heritage management
  • museums and galleries
  • teaching

Find out how you can use your degree.

Varun's experience

"It’s insane how relatable it is to getting a massive book in the library and taking three or four key points out of it, to what I’m doing now, where I’m getting a huge amount of information and summarising the key points for colleagues."

- Varun Lobo, American Studies and History BA graduate, now working as Workday Consultant at Deloitte

We offer opportunities to study in many countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea and the United States of America.

See our study abroad webpage for more information.

Please note: In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria.

Offers are usually made without interview. Please note that students with non-standard entry qualifications, including mature students, may be invited for an interview.

We follow the university's flexible admissions policy and take educational and personal circumstances into consideration. 

Further details are available on our applying pages.

Watch the video below:

Join us and be guided by our Admissions Manager, Maryam. With her expert guidance, you'll discover some common myths we hear from potential students. From your reference worries to your predicted grades, and everything in between, Maryam clears up some key points you need to know to start your university experience.

Join us and be guided by our Admissions Manager, Maryam. With her expert guidance, you'll discover some common myths we hear from potential students. From your reference worries to your predicted grades, and everything in between, Maryam clears up some key points you need to know to start your university experience.

Play

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Open Day June 2022