Overview

Understanding the people, ideas and events that have shaped the modern world offers real insight into the forces still at work today, across Britain, Europe, Asia and the Americas. The BA (Hons) History at the University of Birmingham lets students explore a genuinely global range of periods and places, taught by researchers whose work spans everything from medieval chronicles to the history of popular music and activism. Learning is enriched by access to the university's own museums and archives, including the Cadbury Research Library and its collection of rare books dating back to 1471, alongside opportunities to learn a new language for free. The course suits students who want real flexibility to follow their own historical interests, developing strong research and analytical skills valued across a wide range of careers.

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What You'll Learn

• Skills and sources for studying history, alongside the making of the early modern and contemporary worlds

• Optional first-year topics spanning African, medieval and Roman history

• Innovations in history and specialist topics shaped by staff research

• A choice of primary sources, from official documents and testimonies to protest materials and personal accounts

• Public history and how the past is presented, interpreted and contested today

• Special subjects in the final year, from Tudor England to twentieth-century Britain and beyond

• Advanced options covering global history, from revolutionary China to the American West

• An independent dissertation on a topic of your own choosing

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret and evaluate a wide range of historical sources, drawing on debates and perspectives spanning multiple continents and time periods. They will be equipped to construct well-supported historical arguments, understanding how political, social and cultural contexts shape events across different societies. Through varied assessment methods and an independent dissertation, students will develop strong research design, critical thinking and persuasive communication skills. Graduates will leave with the ability to interpret complex evidence and communicate ideas clearly, skills well suited to further study or a wide range of careers in education, heritage, government, law and the creative industries.