Introduction
Come face to face with the past, and explore what it can tell us about our present and future lives, with our BA (Hons) History degree in Cambridge.
Focusing a range of periods and themes including British and global histories, race and politics, gender, sexuality and the body, and also how we recreate history, you’ll take part in hands-on historical research to make sense of how past events have shaped our world today.
Cambridge is the perfect place to study history. Thanks to our close links with local organisations, you’ll find yourself handling historical objects, leafing through archival material, and working with museum professionals, as well as engaging with digital sources and archives.
There’s also the chance to study abroad for a semester, take part in European field trips, and go on work placements as you prepare for a career in many different fields including business, management, local government, heritage, museums and more.
Course options
Key facts
Was there a sexual revolution in the 1960s?
A 60 second seminar from Prof Lucy Bland, Professor of Social and Cultural History at ARU
A history of the West End of London
A 60 second seminar from Prof Rohan McWilliam, Professor of British Modern History at ARU
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Facilities and showcase
Hands-on learning
All our BA (Hons) History students have the opportunity to:
- carry out research in Cambridge’s museums and archives
- take part in live group briefs
- go on European field trips
- study abroad for a semester, with funding available to help cover the cost
- choose from a range of optional modules and pursue your own areas of interest
- learn a language, with our ten-week Anglia Language Programme.
Outstanding student support
Join our student community in Cambridge and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- join a course with over 94% overall satisfaction score (National Student Survey 2020)
- study at a university whose history research was ranked as ‘world-leading’ (REF 2014)
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.
Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.
Rohan McWilliam
Professor of Modern British History Course Leader, BA (Hons) History
Sean Lang
Senior Lecturer, History
Jonathan Davis
Associate Professor in Modern European History; Director, Labour History Research Unit
Lucy Bland
Professor of Social and Cultural History Course Leader, MA History
Richard Carr
Lecturer, History
William Tullett
Lecturer in History, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Careers
What can you do with a BA (Hons) History degree? The answer: Almost anything! Former ARU History graduates are now at work in the civil service, teaching, museums and heritage management, the police, the armed forces as well as other rewarding and enjoyable jobs.
You’ll also become skilled in data analysis, research, critical thinking and complex problem solving. Whichever career path you follow, you can be sure you’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities that employers need. We work with them to design our courses, and they help us review what we teach and how we teach it.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Master's, such as our MA History or MA International Relations. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Daisy Murray-Smith
"I loved the lectures and the discussions in seminars, not only because I was interested in the subject, but because you could see how passionate the lecturers were."
Daisy Murray-Smith
BA (Hons) History graduate and Records Officer with Surrey Police
Daisy's storyWant to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. We're here Monday-Thursday 8.30am-5pm, and Friday 8.30am-4.30pm. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about CambridgeFoundation year available
This course offers a foundation year – an extra year of study to help you prepare for university, and build your knowledge and skills.
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