History and Philosophy

Deepen your understanding of human thought and behaviour across time and place. By combining philosophical thinking with historical context, you’ll develop intellectual growth and independent judgement valued by employers to interrogate the past, challenge the present and tackle real-world problems.

Uncover the past, analyse the thoughts and behaviours underpinning human experience and develop a complex understanding of human behaviour across time and place.

Studying history, you’ll have the opportunity to explore past societies from the ancient world to the 21st century, exploring global political, social, economic and cultural themes. Studying philosophy, you’ll explore core topics such as the philosophy of language, ethics, metaphysics and logic, as well as specialist areas such as education, film and feminism.

A knowledge of philosophy can make you a very effective student of history, and your study of history will help you understand the context of the most profound philosophical thoughts and theories. This powerful combination develops the skills of independent judgement, critical thinking and constructing effective arguments - a set of transferable skills which will open a variety of career opportunities.

Why study this course?

• Gain a unique perspective on the human condition - By merging historical evidence with logical analysis, you’ll explore the 'how' and 'why' of global events, connecting abstract theories to real-world change.

• Top 5 in the Russell Group for student voice National Student Survey 2025 - National Student Survey 2025

• Sheffield’s research-led history special subject - In your third year, you’ll take a full-year, research-led special subject in History. There, you’ll work directly with a leading specialist on your chosen area, interrogating original sources and engaging with cutting-edge historical analysis as part of a process of becoming an expert yourself.