History BA (Hons)
Birkbeck, University of London
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All Languages and Area Studies courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Salary
Salary of Graduates in CAH19
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Languages and Area Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £33500 | £18000 | £27500 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £24500 - £45000 | £9500 - £27500 | £11500 - £43000 |
All History of Art, Architecture and Design courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Salary of all UK Graduates of CAH19
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £25625 | £23693 | £27744 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £22269 - £29904 | £17937 - £29563 | £21216 - £36573 |
All CAH19 courses in the UK
Course Description
Our BA History degree offers you a huge range of history modules, stretching around the world and across thousands of years.
Our expertise underpins our teaching. We are one of the very few history departments in the UK to include archaeologists, classicists and historians working on every period from prehistoric humans to Ancient Greece to medieval, early modern and modern societies. Our expertise encompasses much of the globe from Ancient Rome, medieval Armenia, modern China, India and Africa to Tudor London and Nazi Germany and more. In addition to pursuing interests in British, European and global history, and to exploring themes within histories of ‘race’, migration, gender and sexuality, you will have the opportunity to take modules from allied disciplines like politics and international relations, literature, philosophy and geography.
Our history degree offers temporal and geographical breadth in a carefully structured programme. It gives you the opportunity to develop analytical skills and critical approaches that will enable you to assess historical evidence, and question accepted wisdoms about the past. There are lots of things you can do with a history degree, and your career prospects will be enhanced by developing the ability to formulate and communicate your own ideas effectively.
If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
Highlights
- Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- Situated in historic Bloomsbury, we are at the heart of academic London with access to unparalleled research resources. Situated very close by are: the Institute of Historical Research and the Institute of Classical Studies, with their specialist libraries, training facilities and seminars; the British Museum and other world-class galleries and museums; and the British Library, the largest national library in the world.
- In history, classics and archaeology, Birkbeck is home to thriving student societies and a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
- Get a flavour of our teaching and research in this area through the wide range of free online and in-person seminars, workshops and tasters; check out our Discover the Past and taster courses as well as events at the Raphael Samuel History Centre, a leading centre for public history which the department co-directs.
Careers and employability
Graduates can pursue career paths in education, research and journalism. Possible professions include:
- heritage manager
- museum/gallery curator
- higher education lecturer
- archivist.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Jobs & Career Perspectives
15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.
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Current jobs
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Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Others in Language and Area Studies courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of History BA (Hons) at Birkbeck, University of London
| 20% | Process, plant and machine operatives |
| 10% | Engineering professionals |
| 10% | Elementary occupations |
| 10% | Engineering professionals |
| 5% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
| 5% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
| 5% | Skilled trades occupations |
| 5% | Process, plant and machine operatives |
| 5% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
| 5% | Elementary occupations |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Mphil / PhD
Costs
Average student cost of living in London
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
January 1, 2025
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- year 1 (Default entry point)
University Rankings
Positions of Birkbeck, University of London in top UK and global rankings.
Rankings of Birkbeck, University of London in related subject specific rankings.
Social Studies & Humanities
-
-
- #19
- #52
-
- History
-
URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
-
-
- #22
- #151
-
- History
-
QS World University Rankings By Subject
[Published 22 March, 2023]
See all 17 university rankings of Birkbeck, University of London
About Birkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck, University of London (BBK) was established in 1823, and takes a different stance towards admissions than many other universities. Applicants are encouraged by BKK to apply even if they don’t possess the traditional qualifications normally required, as applications here are also considered based on an assessment of your knowledge on the subject, and any work experience you might have. Being located in the very centre of London, students will have all the advantages of the city’s public transport connections, as well as the chance to live in such a diverse and vibrant city with all that it offers.
List of 197 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birkbeck, University of London - Course Catalogue
Student composition of Birkbeck, University of London
-
Total number of students enrolled at Birkbeck, University of London by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 4800
- postgraduates:
- 2810
- Total:
- 7610
Where is this programme taught
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Similar courses
| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
History BA (Hons) | University of East Anglia | 86% | 4% | 5% | £9250 | £20600 | 130 | Norwich | On campus Full-time |
|
History BA (Hons) | University of Bristol | - | 4% | 3% | £9250 | £26400 | 172 | Bristol | On campus Full-time |
|
History BA (Hons) | University of Hull | 89% | 25% | 5% | £9250 | £15400 | 117 | Hull | On campus Full-time |
|
Hanes BA (Hons) | Aberystwyth University | 93% | 5% | 9% | £9000 | £16520 | 126 | Aberystwyth | On campus Full-time |
|
History (Including Placement Year) BA (Hons) | University of Essex | 85% | 5% | 5% | £9250 | £18585 | 129 | Colchester | On campus Full-time |
|
|
History BA (Hons) | Aberystwyth University | 97% | 10% | 5% | £9000 | £16520 | 122 | Aberystwyth | On campus Full-time |
|
History BA (Hons) | The University of Nottingham | 74% | 5% | 3% | £9250 | £21500 | 145 | Nottingham | On campus Full-time |
|
|
Literature and History BA (Hons) | University of East Anglia | 72% | 5% | 10% | £9250 | £20600 | 137 | Norwich | On campus Full-time |
|
History BA (Hons) | Liverpool Hope University | 96% | 15% | 10% | £9250 | £12500 | 125 | Liverpool | On campus Full-time |
|
History (with placement year) BA (Hons) | Loughborough University of Technology | - | - | - | £9250 | £22000 | - | Loughborough | On campus Full-time |
Ranking publishers
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Published:
- 22 March, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings By Subject:
- Academic Reputation: 50%
Employer Reputation: 30%
Research Citations Per Paper: 10%
H-index: 10%
Urap
- Published:
- 22 July, 2023
