BA History
About this course
BA in History, a history degree centred on historical study across broad chronological periods and diverse regions. Core topics include Historical Research. The course spans three years and provides access to extensive library resources including the Bodleian Library. Throughout the degree, students examine large geographical areas and specific thematic subjects. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through History of the British Isles and European and World History. Students also complete Historical Methods with a choice of papers such as Approaches to History, Historiography: Tacitus to Weber, and Quantification in History. Additionally, first-year students select an optional subject from a wide range including Theories of the State, Conquest and Colonization: Spain and America in the 16th Century, The Rise and Crises of European Socialisms, 1881–1921, Haiti and Louisiana: The Problem of Revolution in the Age of Slavery, and When Neighbours became Strangers: Violence, Community and Identity in Late Ottoman Syria, c. 1840-1900.
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
A level: AAA IB: 38 (including core points) with 666 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 117 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 65%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 215 students who started
- Continued on course: 98%
- Left higher education: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 110 graduates who answered
- Working: 52%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 21%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 8%
- Natural and social science professionals: 7%
- Finance Professionals: 7%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 77%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 73%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 44%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 320 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 57%
- South East: 18%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 210 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- History of the British Isles
- European and World History
- Historical Methods (choice of: Approaches to History; Historiography: Tacitus to Weber; Quantification in History; one of several foreign text papers)
- Optional subject (choice of around 25 including: Theories of the State; Conquest and Colonization: Spain and America in the 16th Century; The Rise and Crises of European Socialisms, 1881–1921; Haiti and Louisiana: The Problem of Revolution in the Age of Slavery; When Neighbours became Strangers: Violence, Community and Identity in Late Ottoman Syria, c. 1840-1900)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History at University of Oxford earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £33,000 after 3 years, £46,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £69,000. The £46,000 median after five years is £15,500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA History at University of Oxford do next?
83% 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 Oxford?
96% 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 Oxford?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 184 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA History at University of Oxford?
98% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.