History BA
History is an imaginative process; it requires us to appreciate things from points of view that are often very different. Covering topics ranging from the ancient world to the present and encompassing Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, you’ll analyse the processes and ideas that have shaped our world.
-
A Levels
AAB -
UCAS code
V100 -
Duration
3 years -
Start date
September
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Optional placement year
- Study abroad
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
Sheffield’s research-led special subject, which you take in your third year, enables you to become an expert in your chosen area over a full year of teaching. You'll explore a specialised area of history with a subject expert, work with original sources and engage with cutting edge historical analysis.
We are committed to small group teaching, in which you will benefit from exchanging ideas, discussing problems and completing tasks with other students, guided by your tutor.
We have strong links with local and national organisations and institutions in Europe and the wider world, and you can easily add a year to your degree to explore history while studying in another country, or gain valuable work experience through a year-long placement.
Over the course of the degree you'll become highly skilled in research, managing information, critical thinking, analysis, and presenting convincing arguments in a variety of formats. In a context of contested and misleading information, we ensure that our graduate historians are equipped with skills to evaluate competing claims critically.
Follow the endlessly fascinating threads of human history from 1000 BCE right up to the twenty-first century, as you learn to master the skills for historical research and a successful future.
Through the study of history, we learn to analyse the complexity of human society and culture from many different perspectives. Historians are skilled in a critical appreciation of how cultures and ideas are constructed and negotiated; an understanding of power, especially who has power, how they got it, and how they use it; and what this means for people's sense of identity.
Knowing about the events of the past also provides an essential basis for understanding the modern world, which is highly relevant about the challenges that face us today and in the future.
With experts in every area of the globe and whose interests cover more than two millennia, history at Sheffield thus offers you the necessary global context to understand the most complex problems.
Studying history is also a personal journey, as you learn independent judgement, how to critique accepted opinions, and hone the skill of making your own effective arguments.
Equipping you with analytical and practical skills, you’ll be able to conduct your own research project and determine the direction of your degree based on the wide variety of modules that make up our vibrant, research-led curriculum.
Modules
You will have core modules at each level of your degree: these help you to develop your skills and give you a strong foundation for your historical knowledge.
Our wide range of option modules give you the opportunity to complement your core learning by specialising in the topics that interest you most.
These option modules offer a wide chronological and geographical coverage of history from the ancient world to the modern day and reflect a variety of approaches and methodologies, so you can choose to focus on themes such as political, social, cultural or religious history.
Each year you will take 120 credits - this is normally split into 60 credits in the autumn semester and 60 credits in the spring semester. Most history modules are 20 credits each, although some specialist modules at level three are worth 40 credits.
UCAS code: V100
Years: 2026
Core modules:
- History Workshop
- Empire: from the Ancient World to the Early Modern
- Thinking Historically
- Beyond Borders? A Deep History of the Connected World
Optional modules:
- Common People: Everyday Lives in Modern Britain and Ireland
- The ‘Disenchantment’ of Early Modern Europe c. 1570-c.1770
- The Long View - an Introduction to Archaeology
In your second year, you’ll continue to build your foundational knowledge of historical concepts, looking in depth at materials and further developing your skills.
Core modules:
- Parchment to Pixels: Interrogating Historical Evidence
- History and the Public
- History and Historians
- Contemporary Crises in Historical Perspective
You’ll also have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of history through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as Trumpism: An American Biography, Eastern Africa Since 1940, Gender and The Georgians, The Battle for China’s Future and Egypt’s Golden Empire.
In your third year, as well as working on your dissertation, you’ll continue to advance your historical knowledge in specific areas of interest.
Core module:
- Dissertation
You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct further study of a specialist area of your choice through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as the World of Intoxicants in Early Modern England, Cannibals and Christians: Mexico and Spain, c.1492–1600, The Wars for Vietnam, Resistance and Liberation in South Africa: Ghandi to Mandela, Makers of a New World: Merchants, Scholars and Commoners, Merchants, Pirates and Planters: The English Overseas, The National Security State and Italy in the Age of Dante.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through a mix of interactive lectures and lively discussion-based seminars.
Lectures provide essential outlines of the key topics and set out a range of approaches and perspectives that will help you think about those topics differently.
Small-group seminars are a place for you to try out ideas, to work with others on solving problems, discussing and exploring issues together.
Much of your time will be dedicated to autonomous study, in which you will have the opportunity to explore and develop topics in a way that interests you, supported and guided by your tutors and supervisors.
As you progress through the degree you’ll develop the research skills to engage with the cutting edge of scholarship.
Our internationally renowned tutors offer modules spanning four thousand years and criss-crossing continents - allowing you to explore great events, extraordinary documents, remarkable people, and long-lasting transformations, from the ancient period to the modern day and across the globe.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods. As well as traditional essays and exams, our degrees include innovative assessments where you’ll write seminar diaries and reflective work, give presentations and design online historical artefacts in mediums such as blogs, podcasts or websites. This broadens your experience and the wide range of transferable skills you’ll develop during your degree.
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible.
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- ABB + B in a relevant EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 34; 33, with B in a history-based extended essay
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD + A at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AA
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- ABB + B in a relevant EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 33
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD + B at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AB
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Graduate careers
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
Our history graduates are highly skilled in research, critical reasoning and communication. You'll be able to think and write coherently, to put specific matters in a broader context, and to summarise complex ideas in a discerning and creative way.
Our graduates have gone on to become successful lawyers, marketing executives, civil servants, accountants, management consultants, university lecturers, archivists, librarians and workers in museums, tourism and the heritage industry.
The combination of academic excellence and personal skills developed and demonstrated in your history degree will make you stand out in an increasingly competitive graduate world.
Companies that have employed our graduates include Accenture, Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers and DLA Piper. You'll also find our graduates in organisations ranging from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the Imperial War Museum and the National Archives, to BBC Online and The Guardian.
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
In the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, we interrogate some of the most significant and pressing aspects of human life, offering new perspectives and tackling globally significant issues.
As a history student at Sheffield, you'll develop your understanding of the past in a friendly and supportive environment.
Our internationally-renowned tutors offer modules spanning four thousand years and criss-crossing continents - allowing you to explore great events, extraordinary documents, remarkable people, and long-lasting transformations, from the ancient period to the modern day and across the globe.
You can tailor your course to suit you, discovering the areas of history that most inspire you most while preparing for the future you want with opportunities like studying abroad, work placements and volunteering.
History students are based in the Jessop West building at the heart of the university campus, close to the Diamond and the Information Commons. We share our building with fellow Arts & Humanities scholars of English, East Asian Studies and Languages & Cultures.
Facilities
University rankings
( A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd) and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (98th)
Number one in the Russell Group (based on aggregate responses)
National Student Survey 2025
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Student profiles
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Placements and study abroad
Placements
There are also other opportunities to get work experience, with hands-on projects integrated into several of our academic modules. Alternatively, you can undertake a placement with a heritage or culture organisation or join our student-led volunteering organisation History in the City and take part in activities that bring history to new audiences within the local community. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
Study abroad
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Events for mature students
Mature students can apply directly to our courses. We also offer degrees with a foundation year for mature students who are returning to education. We'd love to meet you at one of our events, open days, taster workshops or other events.
Apply
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.