Department of History & Welsh History

History degrees V100; VP13; VP31; VVC2; V135; V190; V191; V220; V390; Q550

Why should you study for a History degree?

What we look for above all in the students of our History degrees is a curiosity about the past - a curiosity that will allow them to bring a broad range of sympathies and sensitivities to the study of how individuals and societies have changed and evolved over time. In your History degree you will develop that curiosity within the context of a rigorous academic discipline. For example, most of us probably know that '[t]he past is is another country: they do things differently there...'. Or at least we think we do: but what L. P. Hartley actually wrote was '[t]he past is a foreign country...'. Studying for a University History degree involves precisely these two activities: looking at how 'they' did things in the past and paying them the compliment of reporting it with accuracy.  This is what makes a history degree one of the most enjoyable, rewarding and truly humane of academic pursuits. Moreover, not only is the study of the past absorbing in itself, but it also provides invaluable insights into events occurring in the contemporary world.

A history degree will allow you to place the past in perspective and to equip yourself with the analytical skills of interpretation and communication so vital to everyday life in the present. This also makes History a desirable qualification for employers who appreciate graduates who have experience researching topics, and presenting the issues and arguments surrounding them in a clear and concise manner.

Our History Degrees:

• History - V100
• History & Welsh History - VVC2
• Medieval & Early Modern History - V190
• Modern & Contemporary History - V191
• European History - V220
• History & Social and Economic History - V390
• Modern History & Politics - V135
• Historical & Archival Studies - VP31
• History & Media - VP13
• The Literature and History of Wales - Q550

Combining History with another subject

We offer several exciting ways in which you can combine History with another subject. Check the Available Combinations  

Why should you study History at Aberystwyth?

1. The Department of History & Welsh History is highly-rated and has outstanding library and archival resources, which will allow you to get the most from your studies.
2. History has been taught at Aberystwyth since the University was founded in 1872, and over these one hundred and thirty five years we've perfected the degree schemes on offer to you, to ensure that you get the best History degree you possibly can.
3. The interests of our twenty-two full-time lecturers span the period from antiquity to the modern world, and are reflected in a broad range of political, social, economic and cultural history modules. All our lecturers are active researchers who publish their work. You will benefit from being taught the latest historical theories and techniques. 
4. We offer a wide range of stimulating degree schemes from a single honours history degree to degrees specializing in particular areas of history. In addition, many of our students choose to combine history with another subject in a range of joint honours degrees, such as English, Modern Languages, Politics. So no matter what your particular interests are, we'll be able to offer you a degree in the area that really interests you.
5. We are committed to maintaining individual tutorials and small-group seminars in all years alongside traditional lectures, and we strive to deliver innovative and high quality teaching that will allow you to realise your potential, and to meet your learning expectations.
6. We pride ourselves on our friendliness, informality and community found inside the Department. Your interests are constantly maintained by your Staff-Student Committee and the lively History Society organizes guest lectures, visits to places of interest and social events.
7. As a History student at Aberystwyth you'll enjoy full membership of the National Library of Wales. With over 6 million books, maps and prints, it's situated within a five-minute walk of the Department; you'll never be without that important reference.

Opportunities to study abroad

The department has established links with a number of universities abroad that provide excellent opportunities for you to spend a period immersing yourself in a different historical culture. At the moment, links exist with universities in:

• America (various universities)
• Czech Republic (Prague)
• Germany (Darmstadt and Göttingen)
• Hungary (Budapest)

 

Career Opportunities

As a graduate in History you will have learned how to think independently, analyse critically and write clearly. The historian's skills of interpretation and communication are highly valued by employers. While many of our graduates take up careers directly linked to History such as teaching, archive work and museum management, the majority enter fields as varied as accountancy, banking, advertising, retail management, public relations, the computer industry, hospital administration, local government, the police force, social work, journalism and the media.

Teaching through the Medium of Welsh

The Department offers a number of schemes entirely or partially through the medium of Welsh. This includes Welsh-medium equivalents of single honours degree schemes which have distinct UCAS codes including History (V101) and Modern History and Politics (VL1F). Further information is available in the Welsh-medium prospectus.