Overview:
The History course at Cambridge offers a comprehensive exploration of the past backed by the expertise of renowned historians. It also consistently ranks among the world’s top three history programmes. Students can study history from various perspectives and its interaction with other disciplines. These include politics, anthropology, sociology, economics, and archaeology.
With its rich history, Cambridge is an excellent location for history studies. Optional dissertations in the third year may involve additional expenses for research. However, students can explore departmental and College funding opportunities to support these costs.
In summary, Cambridge’s History course offers students a wide-ranging exploration of history and its intersection with various disciplines. Tuition fees and additional course costs are available for reference.
| UCAS Code | V100 |
| Minimum Entrance Requirements | A-levels – A*AAIB – 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Admission Test for History at Cambridge | Several colleges ask students to take the History Admissions Assessment (HAA) Christ’s, Clare, Emmanuel, Fitzwilliam, Gonville & Caius, Hughes Hall, Jesus, Lucy Cavendish, Magdalene, Murray Edwards, Newnham, Pembroke, Peterhouse, Queens’, Robinson, St Catharine’s, St Edmund’s, Selwyn, St John’s, Sidney Sussex, Trinity Hall. The assessment takes the format of an essay/text response and lasts for approximately 60 minutes. Here is an HAA Specimen Paper. Wolfson College also requires students to take an admissions test. The college will give details of this assessment. |
| Extras things admission tutors look for | Non-specific, however, some Colleges require: A Level/IB Higher Level History Some useful preparations are History (this may be required by some Colleges), English (language or literature), languages, and Mathematics. Furthermore, applicants to all Colleges are required to submit two pieces of written work prior to interview. |
| Duration | 3 years – BA (Hons) |
| Admissions Statistics | Applications per place: 3 Number accepted: 171 |
| History at Cambridge | The History course at Cambridge is a prestigious programme that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the past. The course also encourages students to pursue personal interests and experiment with different historical approaches. Cambridge’s extensive libraries, museums, and language learning opportunities enrich the student experience. The faculty’s active researchers also contribute to academic and public discourse. Overall, the History course at Cambridge equips students with a broad historical perspective and critical thinking skills to excel in academic as well as professional pursuits. |
| Cambridge Colleges that offer History | Available at all Colleges |
| Structure of the History at Cambridge | You attend eight to 10 lectures and classes each week. You will have regular supervision, for which you typically write an essay, giving you the opportunity to debate and develop your ideas with an expert in the field. Year 1 (Part IA) You take five papers: Two Outline papers, A Sources paper, An Historical Thinking paper, as well as an Historical Skills paper Year 2 (Part IB) You take four papers: Two Topic papers, Research Project, as well as Historical Thinking IB Year 3 (Part II) You take five papers, three of which are compulsory: Historical Thinking II, and a Special Subject which counts as two papers Additionally, you choose two taught options from amongst the following categories of paper: Advanced Topic papers, Political Thought papers Alternatively, you take one taught option and write a dissertation of 10,000 words, on a topic you devise. |
| Common Careers after History at Cambridge | Graduates of History at Cambridge secure opportunities in: Journalism, Broadcasting, Teaching, Research, Finance, Consultancy, Law and public administration. |
