History

Critical thinkers, cultural navigators and master communicators - our history graduates are ready to shape the future by understanding the past.

Course outline

The BA (Hons) History programme at Aston University offers an engaging exploration of the past during the modern and contemporary period (since 1789). The course is designed to cultivate critical thinking, research skills, and a deep understanding of historical contexts.

Working closely with experienced historians at every stage, you will follow classes in a wide range of fields including global and British history, history of international relations, history of technology, history of emotions, and the history of slavery.

Each year, alongside your other modules, you will take at least one practice-based module that invites you to get your hands dirty outside the lecture room in a local archive or other heritage institution. These modules are what we call our ‘employability spine’. Thus, as you grow your expertise as a historian, you will be boosting your employment prospects by acquiring real-world knowledge and skills.

Opting for the placement year will also provide you with invaluable real-world experience, preparing you for the job market.

Key benefits

• Power up your future – Develop the skills employers around the globe look for. Gain an edge in a fast-changing world and thrive in your career with Aston Power Skills.

• Excellent experience - Ranked 1st in the UK for ‘student experience’ (History; Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025)

• Quality teaching - Ranked 2nd in the UK for ‘teaching quality’ (History; Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025)

• Highly ranked - History at Aston University was ranked 8th overall in the UK (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025)

• Top teachers. 98% of students felt positive about the teaching on their course (History programmes; National Student Survey, 2024).

• Opportunity to grow. 97% of students felt positive about the learning opportunities available to them (History programmes; National Student Survey, 2024).

• Earn more – Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £35,400 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2024)

• Gold standard teaching – Aston University was awarded Gold – the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Where can this degree take me?

The transferable skills that our history programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

• Policy analyst

• Media researcher

• Video game consultant

• Teacher

• Marketing executive

• Archivist

• Tax specialist

• Research officer

• Area manager

• Journal editor