History BA Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Explore the past and prepare for your future with modules covering a thousand years of local, national and international history. With themes ranging from identity, race and ethnicity to politics and justice, from leisure and the landscape to war, conflict and social change, encompassing a wide variety of embedded skills.

There has never been a more important time to study History and to think critically about the past. The past is contested, controversial and very much alive. Set within the historic environment of Chester, our exciting course offers not only an exploration of the past but also a gateway to your future.

From Medieval to Modern, from local to global, we embrace a range of approaches including social, cultural and political history but also the study of material culture, digital humanities and the application of history in a practical context to help develop your employability prospects. Our inclusive curriculum means that you will challenge existing narratives about the past, and be encouraged to think critically about how and why these narratives have developed. You will also explore important themes and issues relating to race, diversity, gender, imperialism, conflict and climate change. Through the study of the past, we can make sense of our present and start to think about how to work together to shape our future. Join our passionate team to start shaping your future.

Why you'll Love it

Study in the Heart of a Historical City

Work as a Professional Historian

Skills for the Future

two students in a corridor with notebooks and bags

What you'll study

The BA History course contains core modules at each level of study whilst also giving students a chance to explore the past in both breadth and depth. Students will explore the past to allow them to prepare for their future through topics covering a thousand years of local, national and international history. Our inclusive curriculum means that students will challenge existing narratives about the past and will be encouraged to think critically about how and why these narratives have developed. Students will also explore important themes and issues relating to race, diversity, gender, imperialism, conflict and climate change. Through the study of the past, we can make sense of our present and start to think about how to work together to shape our future.

In Year 1 (Level 4), students are introduced to global historical events, are given the opportunity to explore historical debates and are also exposed to key themes in Medieval, Early Modern and Contemporary History.

Year 2 (Level 5) builds on this foundation through more complex learning, which considers the uses and abuses of History in both the past and present whilst also allowing students to begin to focus on more specific regions, events or periods.

In Year 3 (Level 6), students will conduct project work related to heritage events and will immerse themselves in Special Subjects which focus on particular historical issues, and relevant primary source material, in greater depth. Students will also undertake a dissertation, supported by a supervisor, on a research topic of their own choice.

The course contains several optional modules which may run depending on the availability of staff expertise and the viability of cohorts. Where available, these options provide students with the opportunity to undertake study in particular areas of interest.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

This course is delivered in three terms of 10 weeks each. In each term students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately 6 and 10 hours per week depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught.

The vast majority of teaching will be in small groups, in seminars and tutorials, but students will also get the chance to meet everyone in their year in large lectures for the core modules. When possible we also take students out on field trips to historic locations or heritage sites for ‘hands-on’ learning. Students will also undertake some structured activities online, allowing them to make the best use of their independent study time whilst developing essential digital skills.

Teaching will be delivered by experience academics in the field. This will be supplemented by talks by practitioners and occasional guest lecturers.

Students will be assessed through a wide range of coursework methods, all of which are designed not only to test their understanding of history but also to allow them to develop and demonstrate skills that are essential for success after university. These may include essays, source analyses, literature reviews and oral presentations, but also reflective exercises, digital assignments including video essays and other digital media, poster presentations and portfolios. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate level employment. There are no exams on our History course.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC The Department require one of the following subjects: History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law.
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government & Politics, Sociology or Law. Typical offer – DMM (Can only be considered in combination with one of the A levels listed above)
International Baccalaureate	28 points (including 5 in HL History, or a suitable alternative such as English, Philosophy or Social and Cultural Anthropology)
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers – H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 (including H3 in History, or a suitable alternative such as English, Politics & Society or RE) Scottish Highers – BBBB (including History, or a suitable alternative such as English or Religious Studies)
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above. Must include 15 level 3 credits in History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government & Politics, Sociology or Law.
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff	72 points
GCE A Level	72 points overall, including grade D in A level The Department require one of the following subjects: History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology or Law.
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: History or a suitable alternative such as Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Government & Politics, Sociology or Law. Typical offer – MMP (Can only be considered in combination with one of the A levels listed above)
International Baccalaureate	24 points (including 4 in HL History, or a suitable alternative such as English, Philosophy or Social and Cultural Anthropology)
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers – H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 (including History, or a suitable alternative such as English, Politics & Society or RE) Scottish Highers – CCDD (including History, or a suitable alternative such as English or Religious Studies)
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma – Pass Overall (including History or one of the alternative subjects above)
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Fees and Funding

£9,250per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course.

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Kara Critchell

Senior Lecturer in History; Programme Leader BA History

Prof Tim Grady

Professor of History; Programme Leader MRes History, MA History & MA War, Conflict and Society

Dr Hannah Ewence

Head of Humanities, Cultures and Environment

Dr Thomas Pickles

Senior Lecturer in Medieval History

Dr Katherine Wilson

Associate Professor of Later Medieval European History

Prof Peter Gaunt

Professor of History

Dr Rebecca Andrew

Senior Lecturer in History

Dr David Harry

Deputy Head of Department; Senior Lecturer in History

Dr Donna Jackson

Senior Lecturer in American History; Assessment Contact – History and Archaeology; Academic Integrity Contact – History; CAID Affiliate

Dr Jonathan Worton

Lecturer

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Fitness facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

History graduates from Chester have pursued a wide range of careers reflecting the excellent transferable skills offered by a History degree, including, amongst many others, careers in teaching, law, the civil service, publishing, business, IT and research.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

History BA (Hons)

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