History BA (Hons)

Key information

Duration:
3 years full time
Typical A-level offer:
ABB
View full entry requirements
UCAS code:
V100
Start date:
September 2026

History doesn’t just teach you about the past. At Sussex, we’re curious to understand how we got to where we are today and where we’re heading in the future.

In the School of Media, Arts and Humanities, you’ll become part of a friendly community of students and expert academics. During your degree, you:

  • study global history from the 16th century onwards, covering the Middle East, Europe, Britain, America and Asia
  • explore topics such as legacies of empire, popular culture and social justice struggles across the world
  • find your area of historical expertise by choosing from a wide range of specialist options taught by experts in the field
  • take electives from other subjects – from business to law and modern languages – to open your mind to other disciplines and tailor your degree to your interests.

You’ll become familiar with using historical evidence from physical and digital archives. The special collections at Sussex include the Mass Observation Archive and the German Jewish Family Archives.

When you graduate, you’ll have the analytic and practical skills needed for work in a range of careers. This could include teaching and museum curation, as well as marketing, PR, and roles in the Civil Service and the charity sector.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Sussex is known for its interdisciplinary focus, and I was attracted by the opportunity to complement my studies with modules from different disciplines.”Oliver Hill-Andrews
History BA
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Entry requirements

A-level

Typical offer

ABB

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Extended Project Qualification

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.  We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer

Overall result of at least 77%.

Other international qualifications

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about IELTS

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

 

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

English language qualifications

Country exceptions

Admissions information for applicants

Transfers into Year 2

Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Don’t meet our entry requirements?

If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:

My favourite thing about my course is the opportunities that it presents you. I did study abroad which I really loved, and I got so much support. Megan Jones
History BA

Modules

This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.

Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course

At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.

As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in four electives across Years 1 and 2 helps enrich your learning experience.

Discover our electives

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course

At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.

As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in four electives across Years 1 and 2 helps enrich your learning experience.

Discover our electives

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

Study abroad (optional)

Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student

I’ve benefited from meeting other students from all over the world, and finding out their view of history and society.Hannah Davenport
History BA
Studied abroad in Tokyo

Placement (optional)

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.

Find out more about placements and internships

Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Options

You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

Find out more about studying History at the University of Sussex

TEF 2023 silver

Silver

The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)

Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive

Our staff

Working with families around the world to create the Planet Bethlehem Archive has allowed me to grasp the rich history and diversity of the Palestinian diaspora.Dr Jacob Norris
Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern History

Fees

Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2026/27 – please check back in September 2025. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2026/27.

Careers

86%

of Sussex undergraduates have completed work experience by the end of their course (University of Sussex Career Readiness data at point of graduation 2023/24)

With a History degree from Sussex, you gain analytical, communication, writing and research skills. This, combined with digital media skills you’ll learn in workshops, means you can go into further study or sectors such as:

  • documentary production
  • digital/tech enterprise
  • higher education
  • publishing, marketing and the media
  • heritage and museums.

You can also attend career events where you can meet a range of graduate employers and get advice from our advisers.

Graduate destinations

Recent History graduates work as:

  • documentary producer
  • digital/tech entrepreneur
  • graduate management trainee, local government.

What to do with a History degree

Explore the careers you might be interested in after studying for a degree in History

Working while you study

Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

Design your future at Sussex

Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.

As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:

  • our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
  • one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
  • entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.

Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you

National Enterprise Educator Awards logo

Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services logo

Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024

Rate My Placement Awards - Celebrating the Best Student Employers and Universities for Work Experience

Top 50
Best Universities for Work Experience in the UK
2025 RateMyPlacement Awards

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