Program Overview

Richmond University London is the only US & UK three year liberal arts degree in the world. Through this program, students get all the advantages of a liberal arts education in just three years.

We offer an exceptionally wide range of international history courses covering different regions, such as modern China, the Caribbean, Russia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, locating them within themes of global significance and complementing our International Relations, Politics, Film and American Studies degree programmes which you can combine with your History major.

During the first year our students take World Cultural History, and later Myths and Monsters, to give them a strong grounding in traditional historical themes and concepts.

As students progress onto the second year we ensure they can take modules of interest to them. We specialise in thematic social and cultural history courses, such as LGBT, propaganda, fashion, film, migration, black London, race and empire and witchcraft, rather than just traditional chronological and periodic history courses. We also focus on political power dynamics with courses such as “Comparative Monarchies: Games of Thrones”, “The Rise of the Right: a History of Fascism”, the Vikings, Race and Empire, “Islam and the West” and US Presidents.

At Richmond we encourage debate and discussion of past events and historical controversies, getting students to consider themes such as bias and to question the ‘grand narrative’ that so often ‘belongs to the victor’. Students not only ‘read’ history but they also get to apply what they have learned in a practical sense by conducting their own historical research projects, analysing primary sources, archival data and material objects, and collaborating with our external partners in museums, embassies, and the media in an array of exciting credited internship opportunities. By taking this holistic approach, students develop a range of skills that are readily transferable to an array of postgraduate disciplines as well as to many occupations and careers.

Our internationally renowned professors are enthusiastic, approachable and use a variety of innovative teaching styles and materials, ranging from grime videos and historic walks to an analysis of the Cold War through James Bond films.

There are also many opportunities to share your love of history with fellow students in our HIRPES (History, International Relations, Politics Education Society) history group.

Possible planned visits for next year include trips to a nuclear air raid shelter, a gay-walking tour of Soho, or an immersive Viking experience in York.

Whatever your interests are, we are sure you will feel enthused and engaged by studying history with us at Richmond.

Additionally you can take a semester or a year to study abroad to study history at one of our international partnership universities all over the world.  You will not pay more in terms of tuition and you don’t need to add extra time to your degree.