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History BA(Hons)

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Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

3 years full-time 4 years inc. placement year 5 years part-time

UCAS Tariff

120-104

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About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • No exams – assessment designed to help you think, write and research like a historian.
  • Get hands-on with unique archives at Heritage Quay and Holocaust Centre North.
  • Ranked 12th in the UK (Guardian University Guides 2026) and 9th in the UK (Daily Mail 2026).

Studying History at Huddersfield gives you the chance to explore how people, places and ideas have shaped the world we live in — and how understanding the past can help us make sense of the present.

Ranked 9th in the UK in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026 and 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026, our History course offers an inspiring and supportive environment to develop your curiosity, independence and confidence as a historian.

You’ll study a wide range of topics, from the medieval and early modern periods to modern global history, exploring local and international perspectives from right here in the heart of historic Yorkshire. You’ll build essential skills in research, writing and analysis, and gain confidence handling original sources, objects and archives.

There are no exams on this course. Instead, you’ll be assessed through creative and engaging coursework designed to help you think critically and communicate your ideas clearly. You’ll have the freedom to shape your degree around your interests through optional modules and an independent research project in your final year.

Beyond the classroom, you’ll get hands-on experience with rare materials at Heritage Quay and the Holocaust Centre North, and have the chance to take part in work placements or public history projects that connect your learning to the world beyond university.

You’ll graduate with the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills that employers value, ready to pursue a wide range of careers in education, heritage, media, publishing, the civil service, or the creative industries.

Career opportunities after the course *

Archivist

Conservators

Curators

Teacher

Marketing Executive

*Lightcast

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

BBB-BCC at A Level.
120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.
Merit at T Level.
DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

What will you learn?

Course Details

The module combines a chronological and thematic approach to introduce you to the major political, social, economic and cultural developments affecting British society in the 20th century. It places Britain into a global perspective, examining the international and imperial connections which shaped Britain’s interactions with the world. Through this you will examine how these global interactions helped shape a sense of the British self.

This module looks at sources and approaches to the study of the medieval and early modern past - taken broadly to cover the period 1300-1800. This is a survey module deliberately covering a long chronological span to enable students to look at key aspects of the period. It will focus on England/Britain in relation to the wider world e.g. Politics in relation to Monarchy and government; pandemics and the impact of social change brought about by the Black Death as a Europe-wide pandemic; the impact of exploration on trade and developments within the British Isles. It will take a thematic approach examining politics, society, and religion using case studies to highlight these. It will examine the sources that students can use to engage with medieval and early modern history, for example, written and pictorial sources, but also objects and the heritage sector.

Critical thinking enables us to go beyond the surface of information, using analytical skills to dissect, question, and evaluate ideas with a detective's curiosity and a scientist's precision. This skill set is common to all disciplines in the Humanities, where the challenge lies in unravelling complexities, probing assumptions, and exploring the neglected features of human culture, language and history, considering the importance of intersectionality along the way. The module will hone your intellectual skills in reasoning and close analysis, improve your ability to present arguments effectively, reflect on your work, and equip you to plan and conduct an independent research project.

This module will help you master the craft of academic writing and professional communication, enabling you to gain a competitive career advantage. You will learn to write clearly and persuasively across diverse platforms, focusing on real-world impact. The module balances the demands of academic writing—perfecting the skills of building logical, evidence-based arguments and evaluating the provenance of source material—with practical opportunities to develop a specialised portfolio in creative writing (fiction, poetry, screenwriting, creative non-fiction, historical narrative, exhibition content) or journalism (investigative reporting, opinion/editorial, historical journalism, for online/print/ broadcast). Graduate with the power to influence and command attention in any industry.

Choose one of the sets: Route A, Route B or Route C

This module is your gateway into the world of English literature - from epic adventures and timeless tragedies to modern classics. You’ll explore the major genres that have defined Western literature, and see how writers over time have shaped and broken its rules. Along the way, you’ll pick up the key ideas, tools and skills that will guide you through studying literature on your degree, helping you read deeper, think sharper, and write with confidence.

This module will provide you with an understanding the history of the English from the early medieval period, combining the description and analysis of language with close reading of texts in their historical, material and literary context. There will be a focus on poetry and prose from different periods of early English, including religious and political texts. Authors like Aelfric of Eynsham, Chaucer, Mallory, Julian of Norwich, Tyndale, and Marlowe may be studied, in order to track changes in English language and culture alongside developments in politics, religion, and technology. Students will gain a strong understanding of how the English language looked in different periods and be able to accurately describe key features of language and texts. We will examine links between key features of English texts and their contexts. We will consider how external factors like language contact, cultural dialogue with Europe, religious change, and the advent of printing interact with changes to the way writing in English developed.

Choose one of the sets: Route A, Route B or Route C

The module introduces you to a range of video formats and technologies: mobile, online, television and video. You will be provided with the essential recording and editing skills necessary to produce a video output, and to understand the language and concepts required to critically evaluate video content. You will be also be introduced to legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding the production of video content.

The module introduces you to a range of audio formats and technologies: mobile, online, radio and podcast. You will be provided with the essential recording, editing and studio skills necessary to produce an audio output. You will be introduced to legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding the production of audio content and the opportunity to understand the language and concepts required to critically evaluate audio content.

Choose one of the sets: Route A, Route B or Route C

This module provides the knowledge for you to gain an understanding of the role of technology in shaping and being shaped by mediated communication, with a particular focus on digital media technologies. The module combines the critical analysis of media technologies with practical skills to use those technologies in the journalism, media and creative industries.

This module introduces you to essential ideas about the media’s roles in societies, along with the rights and responsibilities of those who create media content. Learners will get to grips with the key media ethics, law and policy knowledge needed for a career in this vast and dynamic industry. It will help you understand the structures in which media workers and organisations operate, and the ways in which specific ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks impact the content created. You will learn about these so you can begin to effectively apply them in the context of creating media content.

You will be expected either to complete a graduate or professional level work placement – or, as an alternative an enterprise or citizenship project with a tangible end product (e.g. feasibility study for turning hobby/idea into a personal business or setting up campaign group/developing volunteering/charity initiative) plus associated documentation – plus a self-reflective evaluation of the process. In preparation for this you will undertake career planning and placement research, supported by workshops and tutorial meetings.

This module develops the research skills you acquired at Foundation level, giving you the skills and confidence required to complete a major piece of independent research in your final year of your degree. You will learn from expert researchers and archive/heritage professionals. We will discover together how research uses different methods and approaches to answer specific research questions, engaging in scholarly debate to further knowledge. We’ll learn about the ways in which we build on existing research to generate new insight, and how research findings make a difference in the real world. The module gives you the freedom to research a wide range of relevant topics in your discipline with the structure and support of subject specialists.

This module will develop your skills in investigating archival records and help you to understand and critically analyse how they are used in a range of different sites and formats that include academic scholarship, museums, literature, literary heritage, reportage, digital media and online. The module will be based around materials held in Heritage Quay, the University Archive, and you will have a hands-on introduction to how archives are collected, catalogued and utilised in public-facing environments. It will also develop your independent research, communication and employability skills.

You will also choose 3 optional modules in this year. The current optional modules are:

In this module you will focus on the period 1485-1660, mainly on England, and will examine changes in religious practice and belief, social structure and the development of royal power, especially in terms of central policy and its effects on the localities. You will explore the dramatic religious, social and political changes of the Tudor and Stuart era.

This module deals with the theory and practice of oral history in relation to the history of childhood and youth. You'll conduct at least one interview, and provide all the relevant ethical and archival documentation to accompany it. You'll be introduced to the key problems in oral history of memory, ethics, intersubjectivity and narrative. Finally, in order to write about the experience of childhood and youth in the past, you'll learn the analytical techniques which can be applied to oral history data.

This module examines the history, memory and historiographical controversy surrounding the Nazi era in European History. You will use a broad range of primary and secondary source material to develop a deep historical analysis of the era, rooted in the debates over the consent or coercion of the German population, the limits of the totalitarian model and the nature of victimhood and commemoration. This module falls into the ‘Conflict’ and ‘Communities and Welfare’ research groups.

This module brings you all the benefits, and complexities, of studying the history of another culture and continent, and the specific issues at stake in studying a colonised society. It incorporates an in-depth study of the history of India, c.1860-1950, and the historiographical debates that characterise post-colonial studies. You'll be using historical records from British colonial rule, as well as Indian sources (some in translation). Special attention will be paid to regional differences and to the impossibility of treating either ‘the British’ or Indian subjects as homogeneous groups.

‘Refugees in Modern World History’ explores the political, social, legal, cultural and emotional history of refugees in the Twentieth Century. It uses the buoyant historical scholarship in refugee studies as well as new archival collections, including those at the Holocaust Learning and Exhibition Centre, to ask how we can capture the refugee ‘voice’ in history and how this can help us reflect on the experience of displacement. It also contextualises current notions of a ‘refugee crisis’ and the contested memory of refugee history in the media.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

You will choose 1 optional module in this year. The current optional modules are:

The placement year is your chance to gain hands-on experience and build on the skills you’ve developed in your first two years of study. You’ll spend up to 48 weeks (minimum 36 weeks) in a graduate-level role, sharpening your professional skills, exploring career options, and boosting your future job prospects. During your placement, you'll reflect on your performance, develop real-world skills, and learn to approach your role with a critical eye. Your placement will be monitored, and you’ll be assessed on your achievements, setting you up for success in your final year and beyond.

The Portfolio Sandwich Year module provides a flexible and tailored approach to professional development. It allows you to create a customised portfolio of graduate-level opportunities if your career aspirations don’t align with a traditional sandwich year placement. This module will help you develop a diverse and adaptable skillset, build professional networks, and enhance your career readiness through a mix of structured and self-directed activities.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

This module is the culmination of your degree, allowing you to apply your skills and knowledge to researching and writing an extended piece of work on a subject of your choice, including, if applicable a public engagement output with an external organisation, such as a museum, archive, community heritage group or similar.

This module challenges you to design and develop a project aimed at showcasing the value of the humanities to the general public. You will collaborate with your fellow students to deliver a project that communicates the importance of your disciplines in a non-scholarly, non-academic way. More broadly, you are encouraged to think about the real-world applications of a humanities degree, and about the role of the humanities in challenging and changing society. Taking this module will develop skills enabling you to articulate the value and importance of your studies to a non-specialist audience.

You will also choose 3 optional modules in this year. The current optional modules are:

You will study the origins of the war, the military course of the conflict, its effect on domestic society and reactions to the war through literature, art and memorial architecture. The focus of the module is on the British experience, though it will consider continental European and imperial experiences too. Throughout the module, you will also reflect upon public commemoration across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

This module will develop your understanding of the history of late nineteenth and early twentieth century Britain by examining the relationship between the human body and the urban environment. It addresses the key question - how important is the human body to understanding history? To answer this question we’ll examine a range of different aspects of British social, cultural and health history.

On this module we will study the Holocaust through the words of those who survived and/or bore witness to it. Bringing together both literary and historical perspectives, we will approach this bleak yet defining episode of human history in a unique interdisciplinary fashion, focusing on non-fictional texts such as memoirs, diaries, and verbatim theatre. By studying how those who witnessed the events of the Holocaust chose to put the experience into words, we will attempt to understand these events neither in terms of traditional history textbooks nor in terms of their representation in our culture, but in terms of some of the individual stories behind it. This will allow us better to grasp issues such as trauma, memorialisation, the relationship between testimony and truth, and the difficulties involved in putting the events of the Holocaust into words.

This is a specialised module which engages you, through the study of primary and secondary sources, in examining the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603). It aims to develop your understanding of key themes in the early modern era, such as gender, politics, foreign policy and religion.

This module examines the history and memory of the French experience of World War II, focusing on the German Occupation, the Vichy Regime, French collaboration, and the development of internal and external resistance. You will use a broad range of primary and secondary source material to develop a cultural historical analysis of the era, rooted in the debates over silence, truth and representation. This module falls into the ‘Conflict’ and ‘Communities and Welfare’ research groups.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

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Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

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Interested in a placement?

Placements

The course offers a compulsory 5-week work placement in Year 2. If you’re studying full-time, this course also offers an optional one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Previous placement students have worked at places like National Coal Mining Museum, Barclays Group Archive, the Isle of Man Motor Museum, British Embassy, Bucharest, Carnegie Heritage Centre, Cromwell Museum Trust, Doncaster Heritage Services, Greenhead Solicitors, Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, Love Productions, The Royal Armouries, West Yorkshire Archives and a range of primary and secondary schools.

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The placement allows you to gain the skills you need and gives you the opportunity to work in a professional environment.

- Jack Barron
History BA(Hons)

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

As a History graduate, you are valued for the advanced skills you have developed in analysis and communication, self-motivation, teamwork, creative problem solving and persuasiveness.
A selection of organisations that have employed Huddersfield graduates in recent years include BT, the Civil Service, the Royal Armouries Museum, the House of Commons, the British Red Cross, the British Library, West Yorkshire Police, the Department for Education and Emerald Group Publishing. Others have opted for PGCE study and have become teachers, or continued their studies at Master's level.**
**Source: LinkedIn

85%
Percent of graduates from this course were in work or further study 15 months after graduation

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 22/23, UK Domiciled

My time at university prepared me by teaching me so much more than History.

- Alexandria Walsh
History BA(Hons) graduate

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£1,630 per 20 credits

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Modules credits can range from 15 to 60, dependent on the content of the module. Read more about total credits required for a range of degrees, to allow you to calculate the potential total cost.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

Home

The tuition fee for a placement year is £1000. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement.  Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.

International

The tuition fee for a placement year is £3,300. If you go on work experience or work placement, you will need to fund your own travel and/or accommodation costs to and from the placement.  Please be aware that if your placement is outside of the UK, you will still be responsible for your travel and living expenses and may need to consider issues like health care and insurance costs.

Scholarships and Bursaries

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What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

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If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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What does the univsersity offer?

Gallery

See below for a glimpse at some of our facilities

heritage quay

Heritage Quay

Heritage Quay

Heritage Quay curved screen

Holocaust Centre

Three history students in library

Library

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Our facilities

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School Brochure

Discover more about The School of Arts and Humanities in our brochure

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Historians at Work Blog

Our Historians at Work blog provides an insight into what it means to study History at the University of Huddersfield.

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Student Story - Laura

History student Laura, talks to us about what she loves most about her course.

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Undergradute Open Days

Visit our Undergraduate Open Day to explore our courses, tour the campus, and meet academics and students who can answer your questions.

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Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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Explore Huddersfield

Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.

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Your Student Experience

Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.

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Budget Friendly

Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.

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Sustainability Matters

We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.

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Committed to Your Future

Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

Find out more about careers support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

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Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Media, Humanities and the Arts may teach you on this course.

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Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

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Further Study

If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.

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Legal information

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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