History with Foundation Year

This degree offers you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence before you advance to stage one of your honours degree.

History is a subject for anyone with a sense of curiosity and a desire for a deeper understanding of the world around them.

• Choose our foundation year route if you want to strengthen your knowledge and skills before you progress to stage one of the BA (Hons) History degree
• 100% of students said they were overall satisfied with this course in the National Student Survey 2022
• Explore the broad sweep of British, European and global history from the Renaissance to the twentieth century
• Undertake fieldwork at historical locations ranging from country houses to industrial cities
• Share your passion for the past by organising and marketing a high-profile public history conference
• Benefit from the support of a dedicated and enthusiastic teaching team who are published experts in their field
• Develop an impressive set of critical, theoretical and transferable skills which will give you a real advantage in securing a graduate career.

History has the power to make us question who we are, how we have come to act the way we do, and the experiences that have shaped people's lives in the past. Studying History will turn you into a critical thinker, ready to challenge received wisdoms.

This course provides you with a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge you need and introduces you to the subject of history, enabling you to achieve your full honours degree in four years.

A deep sense of perspective

With particular emphasis on modern and contemporary history, this course is academically rigorous, intellectually stimulating and politically relevant.  As well as covering broad historical themes, you will explore a wide range of specific topics - everything from the Enlightenment, Totalitarianism, the history of the body, and the British Country House.

You will also explore the history of non-European societies, with modules spanning the history of China, India, the Cold War and the impact of European imperial rule.

Explore history outside the classroom

We offer study visits and fieldtrips to bring your learning to life. You will explore the practical and intellectual applications of history in museums, art galleries, country houses, parks and heritage sites.

Recent visits have taken us to the Imperial War Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the city of Chester and the urban heartland of Manchester. And, of course, Derbyshire is the ideal location to study history - with its rich industrial past and thriving heritage industry, including a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Study in America

You can spend part of your second stage in America, experiencing a different academic culture and deepening your global perspectives. You will study at one of our partner universities:

• Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
• Eastern Michigan University
• Keene State College, New Hampshire
• Longwood University, Virginia

Real world learning

You will use your research and creative skills to interpret the past for the benefit of the wider community. We provide exciting opportunities for projects involving international arts and heritage organisations. Among recent initiatives, our students have worked with Derbyshire County Record Office to encourage young people to take a greater interest in archives and with Derby Theatre, National Brewery Centre and Derby Museum.

You will also inspire others by organising and marketing a public conference and presenting your research to a wider audience. Topics explored at this conference have included the experience of British prisoners-of-war during the First World War, the fight against the Apartheid regime in South Africa, and the pleasure gardens of eighteenth-century London.

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• Students with an overall score of 60% would usually be eligible for the International Foundation Year
• UKVI IELTS 4.5 with a minimum of 4.0 in all components (CEFR B1) is also required

• If you are studying and completing any internationally recognised qualification such as A-levels; International Baccalaureate (IB) or the American Curricula from the International Schools within Jordan, then you can begin from the first year of a Bachelors degree. Please see individual course pages for specific entry requirements
• If you have completed a recognised international foundation programme with good grades
• Advanced entry to year 2 or 3 may be possible. You will need to supply detailed information including courses taken, grades achieved, syllabus and a grading guide

Skills for success

At Derby you will gain attributes beyond those traditionally associated with History graduates. You will not only build your academic capabilities but also apply your historical knowledge to the workplace. We encourage you to develop skills in areas such as presentation and teamworking, which will help you stand out in the job market.

You can approach your future career with confidence: latest Unistats figures show that 95% of our students were in work or further study six months after completing their course.

Wide-ranging career opportunities

With a History degree you can follow a wide range of careers in the education profession, libraries, museums, archives, law, the civil service, management, marketing and the uniformed services. Recent graduates have, for instance, taken up professional roles in local authorities; in marketing for major national businesses; and in project consultancy advising global companies.

A growing number of our graduates also use their degree as a platform for rewarding postgraduate study in subjects such as History, Museum Studies, Archive Management and International Relations.

Ensuring you're 'work-ready'

Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with support from day one of your course to ensure you leave Derby as a 'work-ready' graduate - industry aware, motivated and enterprising. Throughout your studies, you will also benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions. The support continues once you have completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.