Why students choose a History degree

MORE AND MORE STUDENTS CHOOSE HISTORY for degree study at colleges and universities (History Today, August 2000). Why do so many students choose History and so make it a popular choice? Those who have studied some History and have moved away from simplistic mono-causal explanations will not be surprised that there are several reasons. 

• History is interesting. It deals with human beings and the human story, our past. It helps toward a perspective on, and understanding of, the present and satisfies a basic human trait, our curiosity about our world. As Liam Hudson pointed out years ago in his book Contrary Imaginations, students of History tend to be more complete human beings.
• Many students choose History because they are good at it and, because they are good at History, they enjoy the subject. In turn, if a subject is enjoyed then study is less burdensome and their mastery increases further and they enjoy their study still more.
• A History degree develops the skills and capacities, especially of judgement, analysis and refined articulation, which lead to success in many careers. You can access details on History: the degree that opens doors here.
• Unlike subjects like Languages and Mathematics and, to an extent, the Sciences, History requires no particular aptitudes. The only essential skills are the ability to read and write and free rein to your curiosity. More and more colleges/universities accept students for degree study when they have no more than an AS in History. If you do not have AS History, entry to a degree course can be gained through the ‘access’ courses that many colleges offer.

If any of the four points apply to you, now is the time to explore other pages on this part of the website. You can make your course and college/university selection here before you fill in your UCAS application.