University of Portsmouth United Kingdom

History BA (Hons)

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a journey through time with the History BA (Hons) at the University of Portsmouth, a programme designed for those eager to understand the forces that have shaped our world. You will delve into diverse historical periods and global regions, exploring the intricate interplay of beliefs, communities, conflicts, and societal structures from the early modern era to the present day. This undergraduate degree offers a unique opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and a nuanced understanding of how past events continue to influence contemporary issues, making history relevant to your own life and future.

This full-time, on-campus degree is studied over three years, immersing you in the historian's craft through modules like "Thinking Like an Historian" and "Traces of the Past: Exploring Lives Through Sources." You will engage with primary sources, historical debates, and case studies, with opportunities to explore optional modules ranging from "Underworlds: Crime, Deviance and Punishment" to "Modernity and Globalisation." In your final year, you will undertake a significant dissertation or major project, allowing you to conduct in-depth, self-directed research. You will graduate with highly transferable skills in research, analysis, and communication, prepared for careers in heritage, education, policy, journalism, and beyond.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA (Hons) History program offers a comprehensive exploration of historical periods and methodologies. Students will engage with foundational concepts in history, examining beliefs, communities, conflicts, and the evolution of societies across Europe and the world. The curriculum progresses to advanced historical case studies and practical research skills, allowing for specialization through a range of elective modules covering diverse topics such as media, crime, and global affairs.

1 Year 1

Beliefs, Communities and Conflicts: Europe 1400-1750 Compulsory
Discovering World Histories: Peoples and Places Compulsory
Societies, Nations and Empires: Europe 1750-2000 Compulsory
Thinking Like an Historian Compulsory
Traces of the Past: Exploring Lives Through Sources Compulsory

2 Year 2

Debating the Past: Historical Case Studies Compulsory
Working with the Past Compulsory
Envisioning Ourselves: Media and the Making of Modern Britain, 1850-2000 Elective
Introduction to Teaching Elective
The Hidden Lives of Things: Material Culture in the Early Modern World Elective
Underworlds: Crime, Deviance and Punishment in Britain, 1500-1900 Elective
Engaged Citizenship in Humanities and Social Sciences Elective
Global Security Elective
Intercultural Perspectives on Communication Elective
Marketing and Communication Elective
Modernity and Globalisation Elective
Nationalism and Migration: Chaos, Crisis and the Everyday Elective
News, Discourse and Media Elective
Principles of Economic Crime Investigation Elective
Puritans to Postmodernists: American Literature Elective

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,195.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,195.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,195.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 72,586.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 912.00 - USD 2,400.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on Portsmouth Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

94%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Adult & Continuing EducationCurriculum & Instructional DesignEducational Support ServicesEvent Promotion & ManagementFilm & Television ProductionGaming & Interactive MediaMusic & Performing ArtsSecondary & High School EducationTalent & Artist ManagementVocational & Technical Training

Top Employers Hiring for this course

National History Museum

Why Study History BA (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Portsmouth in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about History BA (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

Can I work while studying?

International students on degree courses can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. Full-time work is allowed during breaks.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For TOEFL, you need an overall score of 91 with specific listening, reading, speaking, and writing scores. IELTS requires an overall score of 6.0 and PTE an overall score of 61.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as historians, museum curators, archivists, or educators.

What will I actually study in this course?

Explore the past to understand the now. Dive into moments of challenge, change and everyday life across six centuries and four continents.

Uncover the ways in which diverse groups of people were shaped by, and themselves shaped, the world they lived in. In doing so, you can reflect on your own values and better understand how history is about the present, and the future.

The city of Portsmouth has its own rich stories to tell, connecting to local, national and global history.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The History BA (Hons) program begins in September. Make sure to check application deadlines to secure your spot!
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