Program Overview

Our committed team of historians are passionate about their subjects, which cover a broad range of cultures and traditions spanning 3,500 years. They will help you to explore the past seeking answers to pressing questions from the classical to the modern period in Britain, mainland Europe, the Americas (North and South), Africa and Japan. Within their fields of expertise, you could investigate topics as diverse as: Ancient Greek Drinking Culture, The Middle Ages in Computer Games, The Global Age of Napoleon, Imperial Japan, and the Post-War Teenager.

In Year 1, you are introduced to the study of history at degree level. We help you to gain a good grounding in historical periods and cultures from around the globe, including Asia, Europe and the Americas. You explore the nature of history as a discipline, its changing assumptions, methods and definitions, and the current concerns of historians.

In Years 2 and 4, you focus on the acquisition of research skills and knowledge as the basis of more specialised study. You choose from a range of optional modules in Year 2 that either focus on how to use original documents or explore, through thematic approaches, continuity and change over a long period of time.

In Year 3, you spend a year studying at one of our partner universities in Europe, USA or Canada, gaining a valuable experience, broadening your horizons by learning about another culture first-hand, and boosting your CV.

In Year 4, optional modules take the form of Depth Studies and Comparative Studies. An understanding of methodology is developed by Depth Studies, which establish a comprehensive knowledge of a particular period by evaluating the use of primary and secondary sources and any issues associated with them as evidence. Comparative Studies looks at an area of historical concern across more than one country and culture.

This degree is ideal if you want to experience an extensive range of historical subjects and have the maximum flexibility of choice.

Our degrees, combined with inspiring extracurricular activities, such as field trips both in the UK and abroad, offer a wide and deep experience that opens up numerous career paths. Many Winchester graduates carry on to teaching and heritage roles but our alumni can also be found in political think-tanks, the Civil Service, the BBC, automobile and insurance companies and publishing houses, to mention just a few destinations.