Course summary
About this course Build on your desire to explore the past, encounter diverse societies and learn how to understand them with a History degree at Southampton. Our degree encourages you to pursue your own historical interests while developing critical thinking and communication skills for post-university life. As experts in our fields, we work to generate new knowledge about human societies, from the era of Greek antiquity to the recent 'war on terror.' You can study a vast range of history with us, across many time periods (from Cleopatra, to the Nazis, to drones in the 21st Century), places (Britain, Europe, America, Russia, Africa, Asia, and even the moon) and perspectives. You'll build a range of skills in research and communication, valued by employers. You’ll learn to absorb, analyse and assess a wide variety of viewpoints, and express arguments in oral and written form, thinking and working independently and in cooperation with others. These are highly valued by our graduates and reflected in our Graduate Outcomes where 98% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation” (Graduate Outcomes, 2022/2023, published in 2025) Key features of the course
- Join a department ranked 10th for History research quality in the Complete University Guide, 2026.
- Access to digital humanities facilities will allow you to study and research through cutting-edge technologies including virtual reality, 3D scanners and printers, and a 360 degree fully immersive audio-visual centre.
- Explore the rich document collections of the University's Special Collections, including the Wellington, Palmerston and Mountbatten papers, and the Parkes archive, one of the largest Jewish documentation centres in Europe.
- Spend a year abroad at a university in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia in your third year.
Modules
Over the four years of this History course, you'll look at the different ways historians have approached the past, and study different periods in ancient and modern history. Year 1: Learn periodisation, which is the process of categorising the past into discrete blocks of time. You'll also study world ideologies, understanding the ideas that have been fundamental to human societies and cultures. Year 2: Broaden your studies by choosing options as diverse as Roman emperors and imperial lives, Witchcraft in England, Retail therapy: The cultural history of shopping, Blitzed Brits: Politics, society and culture in the Second World War. Year 3: Year Abroad Year 4: Shape your ideas for your dissertation. You'll work closely with a group who are interested in a similar historical period to critically engage with key literature and historiographical approaches. You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through student-selected units and an elective placement. For a full list of modules available please visit the course page - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/history-with-year-abroad-degree-ba#modules
Assessment method
On this course you will learn through a range of activities that may include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects, and independent learning (studying on your own). You will be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as dissertations, essays, individual and group projects, oral presentations, laboratory reports, written and teamwork. You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor who will offer support and advice throughout your studies. You will also receive feedback throughout your course, enabling you to identify areas for improvement before your work is formally assessed.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- V101
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - B
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard. The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements. For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at [email protected]
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £25500 | Year 1 |
| International | £25500 | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
