- 4th in the UK for our research impact in History in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- =20th in the UK for History (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
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:
- explore topics such as legacies of empire, popular culture and social justice struggles across the world
- study global history from the 16th century onwards, covering the Middle East, Europe, Britain, America and Asia
- 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
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
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.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
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 and pathways that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in four electives across Years 1 and 2 helps enrich your learning experience.
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 2024/25. 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 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
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.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
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.
- History Short Period: America in the 20th Century
- History Short Period: Britain in the 20th Century
- History Short Period: Europe in the 20th Century
- Short Period: The Asia-Pacific in the 19th Century
- Time and Place 1899: Apex Empires, Savage Wars
- Time and Place 2015: Fortress Europe and the Migration Crisis
- Time and Place: 1661: Slavery in English America
- Time and Place: 1942: Holocaust
- Time and Place: 1948: The Arab-Israeli Conflict
- Time and Place: 1953: Monarchs and Murders
- Time and Place: 1984: Thatcher's Britain (Observing the 1980s)
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
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 and pathways that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in four electives across Years 1 and 2 helps enrich your learning experience.
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 2024/25. 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 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
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.
- Past and Present: Childhood and History
- Past and Present: Resistance and History
- Special Subject: Britain and the Second World War Part A
- Special Subject: Genocide A
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part A
- Special Subject: Palestine from the Ottomans to Nakba Part 1
- Special Subject: Post-Rave Britain, 1988-Present, Part A
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part A
- Special Subject: The French Empire and Its Aftermath Part 1
- The First World War: Part 1
- History Dissertation: The First World War
- History Special Dissertation Britain & the Second World War
- History Special Dissertation Genocide
- History Special Dissertation Israel-US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History
- History Special Dissertation Palestine from the Ottomans to Nakba
- History Special Dissertation Post-Rave Britain
- History Special Dissertation: The Civil Rights Movement
- History Special Dissertation: The French Empire
- History Thematic Course: Awakenings
- History Thematic Course: Emotions
- History Thematic Course: The Enlightenment
- Special Subject: Britain and the Second World War Part B
- Special Subject: Genocide B
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part B
- Special Subject: Palestine from the Ottomans to Nakba Part 2
- Special Subject: Post-Rave Britain, 1988-Present, Part B
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part B
- Special Subject: The French Empire and Its Aftermath Part 2
- The First World War: Part 2
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
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 2024/25. 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 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Find out more about studying History at the University of Sussex
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
Prof Maurizio Marinelli
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. 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 2025/26.
Careers
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.
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