BA History
About this course
BA (Hons) History explores the past from the early modern period to the present day. Core topics include research methods, historical research, and critical and analytical thinking. A placement year with a cultural or heritage organisation is available between the second and final stage. Students also organise and deliver a public conference presenting their research.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC (At least a grade C in Classical Studies, History, Politics or similar (or equivalent qualification)) T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 30, Merit: 15, Pass: 0. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 98%
- Assessment and feedback: 100%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 100%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 40%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 53%
- West Midlands: 25%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 3%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Access course: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Historical Methods and Sources (PDP)
- Public Uses of the Past
- Empires, Migrants and Mobility
- Nations and Nationalism, 1789-1914
- Renaissance and Reformation, 1485-1648
- The Atlantic World: 1680-1833
- Public Conference: Marketing and Presenting the Past
- The Cold War: Global Conflict, Culture and Diplomacy, 1945-1991
- Research in Practice
- The Early Modern Body
- Living with Dictatorship: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in Comparative Perspective
- Continuity and Change in Contemporary Britain
- British Country Houses and Their Families
- Advanced Research in Practice
- Historians and Material Culture
- Exploring the Slum: The Politics of Poverty in Britain
- India, Empire, Diaspora: Identity, Violence and Memory Across the Twentieth Century
- Britain and Total War
- Rise of the Dragon? China and the World Since 1793
- History Independent Study (PDP)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £24,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £31,000. The £24,000 median after five years is £6,500 less than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA History at University of Derby do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA History at University of Derby?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA History at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 112 UCAS points.
Does BA History at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA History at University of Derby?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.