If you really want to understand the modern world, it’s essential to unlock the patterns of the past. History courses can help you do exactly that – and here at the University of Stirling, we take an innovative approach to guiding you through the major events and periods that have shaped us all.

Our History degree will equip you with a wide range of intellectual and personal skills. You’ll gain an awareness of how different societies across the world have changed over time, by exploring areas such as Scottish, British, European, American and African history. You’ll also engage with different types of history, including political, social, cultural, gender, computer and environmental.

History lecturers and staff at Stirling are leaders in their field. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment, 98% of our research in history was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. That expertise and passion feeds into every aspect of your course to ensure you reach your final year of study functioning as a fully-fledged historian in your own right. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the freedom to not only focus in on specialty areas of history that interest you most, but also to combine your studies with one of 16 other subjects that broaden your professional possibilities – from journalism to teaching, politics and sociology.

A History degree from the University of Stirling opens up career opportunities in a range of sectors, from museums and heritage trusts to the civil service and worlds of marketing and journalism. Jobs directly related to a history degree include:

• Heritage manager
• Historic buildings inspector or conservation officer
• Museum education officer
• Museum or gallery curator
• Museum or gallery exhibitions officer
• Secondary school teacher
• Civil Service fast streamer

Jobs where a history degree could be useful include:

• Academic librarian
• Archaeologist
• Journalist
• Civil Service administrator
• Editorial assistant
• Politician's assistant
• Solicitor
• Primary School Teacher
• Barrister
• Marketing Executive
• Business Consultant

In the most recent National Student Survey, 96% of our History graduates say they found their studies at Stirling intellectually stimulating (NSS 2017) This reflects our desire to teach History in a way that stretches you, and fosters skills that employers value most. You’ll graduate with the ability to argue a persuasive case, work independently, manage your time and communicate clearly. Studying History also helps you to understand the complexities of the modern world and use critical analysis to solve problems – another skill that is always in demand with businesses and organisations of all kinds.