Why study history? Our answer to that is simple: because we are human, and we need to understand ourselves, and one another. History helps us to see other ways of thinking and living – and it offers us alternative perspectives on the present.
The History programme at Durham is designed to give you a sense of the diversity of human experience – geographically and chronologically. We offer an unusually broad range of options that will take you to very different places and times. You can also explore diverse themes and approaches, such as environmental and scientific history, visual cultures, and gender and sexuality. The course will equip you with critical and presentational skills that are valuable in many careers.
Throughout your degree, you will be encouraged to attend an extensive programme of activities, including research seminars and public lectures from high-profile guest speakers.
Year 1 offers you an induction into advanced historical study, engaging with different periods and approaches to the study of the past.
Year 2 raises new questions about the human past, setting these in specific periods and parts of the world. It develops your understanding of historiography - the history of history-writing – and gives you experience of writing an extended historical argument.
In Year 3 the focus is on intensive study and independent learning. The special subject guides you through the primary and secondary material on a specific period or phenomenon; the dissertation allows you to choose your own topic, and devise your own question, for an extended piece of writing. The dissertation is an opportunity to focus on a topic that fascinates you – and brings together the skills you have developed through your time at Durham.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Making History
We have one core module in Year 1: Making History. But our students do not all study the same thing on this module: we teach it through multiple strands. You will choose a ‘strand’, focused on a particular topic. With the other students on that strand you will meet regularly in a seminar group, following a course of reading and discussion that gives you a grounding in the key skills you will need at later stages of the course to interpret and explain historical information.
Optional modules:
Decline and Crisis? Europe 1300–1500
Transformations in the Late Antique Mediterranean, c.300–c.700 CE
Connected Histories: Early Modern Europe, c.1450–1750
The Atlantic Archipelago, c.1500–c.1750
Modern Times: A Cultural History of Europe, c.1860–1960
Power in Africa
Imagining East Asia in the Modern World
Wars and Welfare: c. 1900–1945
The Rise and Fall of American Slavery, 1607–1865.
Year 2 modules
Core modules:
Conversations in History
As in Year 1, this is actually taught through multiple strands in seminar groups – so students do not all study the same thing. But whatever the focus of your strand, the core module will encourage you think about how history is written, and to identify and define your own questions. You will develop effective strategies for handling contrasting approaches as you plan and write an in-depth, independent project, and you will discuss and explain your ideas in a small-group context.
Optional modules:
The Book of Hours in Medieval Life and Art
Medieval Islamic World
Inventing France, 1300–1500: Kings and Communities of the Realm
Law and Order in the Barbarian Kingdoms c.500–800 AD
The Court: Art and Power in Early Modern Europe
A ‘Pure’ Land? Gender, Caste and Community in South Asia, c.1750–1950
The “Vast” Early Modern Americas
Early Modern Hospitality in Global Comparative Perspective
Hard Times: British Society, 1815–1902
Year 3 modules
Core modules:
Dissertation
In your final year, you will choose your own dissertation topic, through consultation with a supervisor. The potential range of topics is very wide – in recent years, varying from representation of bandits in twentieth-century Hollywood films to ceremonial in medieval France. Guided by your supervisor, you will undertake independent research – and you will write your dissertation.
Optional modules:
Final year History students take a 'special subject', which is seminar-based and focussed on a body of primary and secondary material selected by a specialist in the field.
Some examples from recent years are:
The cult of saints in late antiquity
Family, linage and dynasty in the late medieval city
Re-writing Queen Elizabeth
Japan in the global history of public opinion
From war to Cold War: US foreign policy c. 1944-48
Sexual revolutions: the politics of gender and sexuality in Britain and beyond, 1920s to 1970s
Additional Pathways
Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.
Accreditation
Our aim is to make you better at thinking, speaking, and writing for yourself; and better at critically assessing the words that others speak and write. Thinking analytically, arguing clearly and concisely - these are fundamental skills in many jobs.
Our graduates have gone on to find successful careers in a wide variety of fields. They work in teaching at schools and universities, in museums and galleries, in law, finance, banking and accountancy, the Civil Service, the charity sector, media, journalism, and the military and further study.
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Lectures are a big part of the programme in Year 1 and Year 2 – we use them to introduce broad historical questions and offer context and critical commentary. Seminars are small group sessions – 12 -15 students - in which we guide you in a critical discussion of readings and evidence. Tutorials are individual or very small group sessions where we offer you detailed advice or feedback on a specific piece of work.
Through the programme, you will progress from more general topics to specialised studies as you gain confidence and experience and develop as an independent, self-motivated learner. In each year you will be allocated an academic advisor to discuss module choices in line with your interests and aims
Assessment
The History degree involves coursework and examinations. In each year of the programme, you will have to do some of both – though coursework is the larger part of the assessment. There is also an assessed spoken presentation in the second year, because we think it is important that we develop and test your skills in talking to an audience.
Entry requirements
A level offer – A*AA
Contextual offer – ABB
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical
Extended Diploma – D*DD
and History A level at grade A (or equivalent) is required.
IB Diploma score – 38
with 666 at Higher Level including History. Ancient History is only acceptable in conjunction with History.
Cambridge Pre-U - D2D3D3 including History.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
Ancient History’ is not accepted in lieu of ‘History’.
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.
Applications for deferred entry may be considered in special circumstances. Please contact us using durham.ac.uk/study/askus/
We welcome applicants who have taken Global and Independent Research Cambridge Pre-U and Extended Project Qualification. These qualifications, however, do not form part of our offer.
If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
including History. Ancient History is only acceptable in conjunction with History
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
Full-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.
In deciding the annual level of increase, the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of:
6%, or
the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Part-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of part-time study and are charged proportionately to the Full-Time fee. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Our aim is to make you better at thinking, speaking, and writing for yourself; and better at critically assessing the words that others speak and write. Thinking analytically, arguing clearly and concisely - these are fundamental skills in many jobs. Our graduates have gone on to find successful careers in a wide variety of fields. They work in teaching at schools and universities, in museums and galleries, in law, finance, banking and accountancy, the Civil Service, the charity sector, media, journalism, and the military and further study.
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
87%
in work or further study.
Of those in employment:
88%
in highly and medium skilled employment
£30,500
is the average salary
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
History
Why study history? Our answer to that is simple: because we are human, and we need to understand ourselves, and one another. History helps us to see other ways of thinking and living – and it offers us alternative perspectives on the present.
The History programme at Durham is designed to give you a sense of the diversity of human experience – geographically and chronologically. We are a large department, with over fifty full-time academic staff, teaching and researching on a wide variety of periods and regions. As a result, we offer an unusually broad range of options that will take you to very different places and times. You can also explore diverse themes and approaches, such as environmental and scientific history, visual cultures, and gender and sexuality. The course will equip you with critical and presentational skills that are valuable in many careers.
Year 1 offers you an induction into advanced historical study, engaging with different periods and approaches to the study of the past.
Year 2 raises new questions about the human past, setting these in specific periods and parts of the world. It develops your understanding of historiography - the history of history-writing – and gives you experience of writing an extended historical argument. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.
In Year 3 the focus is on intensive study and independent learning. The special subject guides you through the primary and secondary material on a specific period or phenomenon; the dissertation allows you to choose your own topic, and devise your own question, for an extended piece of writing. The dissertation is an opportunity to focus on a topic that fascinates you – and brings together the skills you have developed through your time at Durham.
Throughout your degree, you will be encouraged to attend an extensive programme of activities, including research seminars and public lectures from high-profile guest speakers.
The Department of History occupies the heart of Durham World Heritage Site. Our city centre location is within easy reach of all University colleges, lecture halls and libraries.
The Department of History occupies a group of historic town houses on North Bailey and Palace Green.
Apply
Find out more:
Use the UCAS code below when applying:
Apply
V100
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.
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