If you're intellectually curious and prepared for your investigations to delve into unexpected territories, you'll be at home in Warwick's Department of History. Our flexible History degree gives you the freedom to develop an independent view on the historical themes that most excite you. Study with us and be constantly surprised as to where history can take you.

Students discussing History at University of Warwick

History at Warwick asks you to look critically at the motivations, context and characters behind the events that define world history from the Renaissance to the present day. Our far-reaching approach allows you to explore historical topics in depth from around the globe. The department is studded with expertise spanning the British Isles, continental Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin and North America.

In your first year we'll support you as you develop a foundational understanding of the past. You'll then be ready to choose between working towards a History degree or applying to the Renaissance and Modern History degree. The History degree offers a diverse, global curriculum of important historical themes and topics. The Renaissance and Modern History degree gives you the chance to explore your historical interests while also spending a term in Venice. Throughout your degree you'll have the freedom to develop your own independent view on the historical themes that most excite you.

Students will be offered the opportunity at the start of their second year to apply for an optional Intercalated Year (year abroad or work placement). Following the application process, those students who are offered and take up an Intercalated Year place transfer to a four-year degree, with the Intercalated Year as the third of the four years.

Entry requirements

A levels

A level typical offer

AAA to include History.

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is ABB including grade B in History. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept.

We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

International Baccalaureate (IB) typical offer

36 with at least a 6 in Higher Level History.

International Baccalaureate (IB) contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 32 including 5 in Higher Level History. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

Other UK qualifications

BTEC

We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside one or two A levels, including A level History. Our typical BTEC offers are as follows:

BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate plus 2 A levels: D* plus AA including History
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus 1 A level: D*D* plus A in History

Scotland Advanced Highers

AA in two Advanced Highers including History, and AAB in three additional Highers subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAB in three A levels including A in History plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas

We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.

Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.

General GCSE requirements

We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

International English language requirements Frequently asked questions

Does Warwick make contextual offers?

Warwick may make differential offers to students in certain circumstances, such as those who have participated in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the University’s contextual data criteria. These offers are usually one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.

Do you offer foundation programmes?

All students who successfully complete the Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP) and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme, for selected courses only. Further details are available in the standard offer and conditions for the IFP.

Can I take a gap year before starting my course?

Yes, Warwick welcomes applications for deferred (gap year) entry.

Will I need to interview for this course?

Warwick does not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on the UCAS application, including predicted and achieved grades, the personal statement, and the school reference.

Modules

Note that the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.

Year 1

Year 2 Year 3 Optional modules

Optional Modules

At Warwick, we encourage you to go beyond simply studying history. We can guide you towards developing the worldview and analytical capabilities that mark out the most talented historians.

Our options allow you to devote attention to an area of history that really fascinates you, while providing you with demonstrable skills development. Those options can take you into unexpected and surprising areas. For example, we offer modules on ‘A Global History of Sport’ and ‘War, Sex and the US Military: from Cold War to "War on Terror"', alongside modules on the Holocaust, the history of China, and 20th-Century Britain, and many other topics. We cover most of the globe and many, many different themes and subjects.

Your assessments will reflect the sorts of activities undertaken by professional historians in their everyday working life, as well as the many ways in which history features in the world around us. By engaging with these tasks, you’ll acquire a level of critical and imaginative thinking that’s well-suited for today’s challenging working environment.

Explore a full list of History modules

Not all optional modules listed will necessarily be offered every year and new modules may be added every year.

Fees and funding

Home

Tuition fee

£9,790

On 26 November 2025, the UK government announced that the tuition fee cap for UK undergraduate students for the 2026-27 academic year would increase to £9,790 from the 2025-26 rate of at £9,535.

Students who qualify for government-regulated fees are classed as ‘Home’ students for fees purposes. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government (if permitted by law or government policy).

How are fees set? Fee status guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee statusLink opens in a new window

Funding your studies

Eligibility for student finance (including the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)Link opens in a new window) will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study.

The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.

Check if you're eligible for student financeLink opens in a new window

Tuition Fee Loan

Eligible Home students residing in England can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, which is not based on household income, to cover your tuition fees
The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you will not need to set up any payments

Maintenance Loan for living costs

You can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with your living costs, such as accommodation, food, books and bills
This loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive is partially based on your household income and if you choose to live at home or away from home
For the latest information about student loans, including how you repay them, visit Student finance for undergraduatesLink opens in a new window

Repaying your loans

You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount. For students starting their course after 1 August 2023 (on Student Finance England’s Plan 5), you will repay when your income is over £25,000 a year.

Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold or you stop working, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.

Find out more about repaying your student loanLink opens in a new window

Home students residing outside of England Part-time work Financial support The Warwick Bursary

Provides additional financial support for qualifying Home students from lower income families of up to £2,500 for eligible students
This bursary is paid directly into your bank account in three equal termly instalments to help with the costs of studying
There is no application for this bursary as your details will be provided directly from the student support awarding bodies (Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Awards Agency Scotland)

Other scholarships and bursaries Hardship funds Does the Department of History offer any specific scholarships and bursaries?

Overseas

Tuition fee

If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2026-27, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:

Band 1 – £27,870 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)

Band 2 – £35,530 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Mathematics, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)

Overseas Tuition fees for 2027-28 academic year have not been set. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with an inflationary uplift. Please check our website for updates about 2027-28 fee rates before you apply.

If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance, you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees, please visit our Student Funding webpage for guidance for students ordinarily resident outside of England.

Fee status guidance

Find out more about how universities assess fee statusLink opens in a new window

Funding your studies

Eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study. The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.

Check if you're eligible for student financeLink opens in a new window

Tuition Fee Loan (eligible EU students)

Eligible European Union (EU) Undergraduates can apply for a loan to help with the cost of Tuition Fees. Eligible EU students who meet additional residency criteria may also be eligible for a loan to assist with living costs. For more information please see Student Finance for Undergraduates - EU StudentsLink opens in a new window.

Part-time work International scholarships

If you are an international student, you may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.

A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries

Hardship funds

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue.

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2025/26 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Are there any course specific costs?

Please check with the department.

Teaching and learning

Teaching

Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars and tutorials, web forums, podcasts, workshops, presentations, film analysis, group work and field trips. This is beautifully exemplified by our Venice term, which uses the city - its geography, art and architecture - as essential teaching materials. Our use of surprising and inspiring sources is a feature of all our teaching.

Modules focus on important themes in political, religious, cultural or social history and many explore topics far removed from the usual A level syllabus.

Class sizes Typical contact hours Assessment

We consider feedback on all work to be an essential part of our teaching. Throughout the year you will have the opportunity to attend feedback tutorials following the submission of your essays.

Assessments include source analysis, research projects, and presentations, alongside more traditional assessments such as essays.

Some of our assessment tasks also include writing for different audiences; for example, you might be asked to design a museum exhibition, or create blogs, podcasts and websites, or to write a book review. You might be asked to use an object - a piece of clothing, or a painting - to explore a historical topic, or to discuss the ways in which a historical event is represented in film or literature. Or you might address fundamental historical questions through essays of different lengths.

In all cases, the assessments are designed to let you get to the heart of the historical matter you're studying.

Study abroad

History students on the Renaissance and Modern stream can apply to spend a term in Venice (Autumn or Spring) during their final year. All History students can apply for an Intercalated Year, choosing from study abroad, work placements, or a combination of both.

These opportunities are supported by the University’s Student Mobility Team, with more detailed guidance provided by the History Study Abroad Co‑ordinator and the Department’s Director of International Mobility.

Careers

Career pathways

Throughout your time on your degree, you will develop a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by graduate employers. These typically include the following: excellent written and communication skills; ability to research and analyse large amounts of data; intellectual rigour and independence in presenting findings; ability to construct and communicate arguments; to work independently and as part of a team; to deliver work to agreed deadlines; capacity to solve problems, think creatively and approach problems with an open mind; knowledge and understanding of different factors that impact on individuals and groups in society.

If you would like to practically apply your degree in your future career your skills and knowledge could be used, for example, to catalogue and preserve information as an archivist; you could manage collections of historical artefacts as a museum curator; or you could take up post-graduate study for an academic career, with the possibility of going on to share your expertise through writing and engaging with public audiences. The problem-solving and analytical skills typically developed on your degree are also relevant in just about any industry which has a focus on current society and future developments - particularly in the fields of law, business, finance, politics, academia, culture and heritage.

A significant number of our graduates choose to go on to further study. Typical course choices might include PhDs, PGCEs (teacher training) and Masters courses. Some decide to delve further into subjects and develop their expertise in themes they have found stimulating at a degree level. Others find that their undergraduate degree has provided them with a sound basis for entry to postgraduate professional qualifications in archive management, museum studies, marketing, human resources, law, journalism, PR, and accountancy to name but a few.

Careers support

The University offers extensive guidance on career opportunities via our dedicated Careers Service. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. You can sign up for a wide range of workshops from developing confidence and interview techniques to learning how to articulate what you have to offer to make effective applications. Online resources are also available, including how to draft CVs and cover letters, practice aptitude and psychometric tests, practice online interviews, and other resources to help you research job opportunities.

Previous examples of workshops and events include:

Careers in the Creative Sector
Legal Careers for non-law students
Career in the Public Sector
How to write effective applications and CVs
Legal Assessment Centres - practice makes perfect
Meet the Professionals - Working in human rights and civil liberties
Let’s discuss interviews
Full details and sign up to events/workshops can be found on the careers page

You will also be able to get in touch with the History Department careers consultant at any point during your degree. Whether you have no idea what you want to do or have a clear direction in mind, you can take advantage of this focused advice and guidance. Appointments are confidential and tailored to the needs of the individual.

Placements and work experience

Our Student Opportunity (Careers) department offer a wide range of workshops, from developing confidence and interview techniques to learning how to articulate what you have to offer in order to impress potential employers. Online resources are also available, including training in drafting CVs and covering letters, practice aptitude and psychometric tests, practice online interviews, and other resources to help you research job opportunities. The myAdvantage databaseLink opens in a new window also advertises job, placement and internship vacancies that are from employers who are targeting Warwick students for their recruitment.

What placement and work experience activities are available?

You will also be able to get in touch with the Department of History careers advisor at any point during your degree (and two years after you graduate). Whether you have no idea what you want to do, or a clear direction in mind, you can take advantage of this focused advice and guidance.

Alumni testimonials

Life at Warwick

This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.

Explore Life at Warwick

Day in the life

Our campus

Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.

Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus

Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.

Teaching facilities

Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.

Oculus,  our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
The  University Library
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more

Supporting you

Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.

Accommodation Societies

Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.

Explore Warwick Students' Union societies and sports clubsLink opens in a new window

Why Warwick

Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.

Warwick Rankings

74th

Warwick is ranked 74th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables

(QS World University Rankings 2026Link opens in a new window, see our Reputation page for details)

92%

Of our research has been assessed to be 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the Research Excellence Framework

(REF 2021Link opens in a new window)

Gold

Awarded Gold in all categories

(Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023Link opens in a new window)

Alumni

Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.

As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.

Learn more about our Alumni community

About the department

Department of History at Warwick

6th

in the UK

(Complete University Guide 2024Link opens in a new window)

6th

in the UK

(The Times University Guide 2023Link opens in a new window)

Each year, we attract excellent students like you to Warwick.

We will help you develop the skills needed to conduct research, including in the archives, engage critically with your sources, and support you in developing critical thinking skills.

Whether you’re working with classmates in seminars and workshops, or getting involved with the History Society, at every turn you’ll find like-minded people who share your fascination with the past and its significance in the present.

Get to know us better by exploring our departmental website

Our courses

Related degrees

Our facilities

The department recently moved into our Faculty of Arts Building.

As an Arts student at Warwick you’ll find your home amongst excellent teaching, learning and social spaces, including specialist facilities, all designed to support collaborative working and to enable your creativity and innovation to flourish.

The sustainably built, eight-storey building is located next to the refurbished Warwick Arts CentreLink opens in a new window in the heart of the University’s creative and cultural arts quarter.

Explore our Faculty of Arts building further

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