• Choose our foundation year route if you want to strengthen your knowledge and skills before you progress to stage one of the BA (Hons) History degree
• Explore the broad sweep of British, European and global history from the Renaissance to the twentieth century
• Undertake fieldwork at historical locations ranging from country houses to industrial cities
• Share your passion for the past by organising and marketing a high-profile public history conference
• Benefit from the support of a dedicated and enthusiastic teaching team who are published experts in their field
• Develop an impressive set of critical, theoretical and transferable skills which will give you a real advantage in securing a graduate career.

History has the power to make us question who we are, how we have come to act the way we do, and the experiences that have shaped people’s lives in the past. Studying History will turn you into a critical thinker, ready to challenge received wisdoms.

This course provides you with a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge you need and introduces you to the subject of history, enabling you to achieve your full honours degree in four years.

A deep sense of perspective

With particular emphasis on modern and contemporary history, this course is academically rigorous, intellectually stimulating and politically relevant.  As well as covering broad historical themes, you will explore a wide range of specific topics - everything from the Enlightenment, Totalitarianism, the history of the body, and the British Country House.

You will also explore the history of non-European societies, with modules spanning the history of China, India, the Cold War and the impact of European imperial rule.

Explore history outside the classroom

We offer study visits and fieldtrips to bring your learning to life. You will explore the practical and intellectual applications of history in museums, art galleries, country houses, parks and heritage sites.

Recent visits have taken us to the Imperial War Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the city of Chester and the urban heartland of Manchester. And, of course, Derbyshire is the ideal location to study history - with its rich industrial past and thriving heritage industry, including a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Study in America

You can spend part of your second stage in America, experiencing a different academic culture and deepening your global perspectives. You will study at one of our partner universities:

• Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
• Eastern Michigan University
• Keene State College, New Hampshire
• Longwood University, Virginia

Real world learning

You will use your research and creative skills to interpret the past for the benefit of the wider community. We provide exciting opportunities for projects involving international arts and heritage organisations. Among recent initiatives, our students have worked with Derbyshire County Record Office to encourage young people to take a greater interest in archives and with Derby Theatre, National Brewery Centre and Derby Museum.

You will also inspire others by organising and marketing a public conference and presenting your research to a wider audience. Topics explored at this conference have included the experience of British prisoners-of-war during the First World War, the fight against the Apartheid regime in South Africa, and the pleasure gardens of eighteenth-century London.