History
The Cambridge History degree gives you the opportunity to explore the past from many different angles – including political, economic, social, and cultural history.
At a glance
A Level requirements: A*AA with A* in History
IB requirements: 41-42 points overall with 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level
Subject requirements: History
Average students per year: 8-10
Admissions assessment: None
Written work: 2 pieces
Admissions
Course overview
The papers on the History degree takes students from broad overviews to more in-depth treatment of subjects, culminating in the third-year ‘Special Subject’. In each of the three years, students will also engage with a focus on primary sources leading to a third-year dissertation topic and will take a paper on ‘Historical Thinking’ that explores how historians set about researching and writing history.
There is a choice of papers in each year, subject to availability of spaces, and because of the large number of historians in Cambridge, there are many from which to choose, from ancient and medieval topics to modern and world history. The ‘Historical Thinking’ papers in each year are the only compulsory element, and are taught mainly in College.
For more information about the course and its modules, visit the University website.
Written work
We ask for two pieces of written work. These can be drawn from your A-level work, including an EPQ. The work should be in essay format, with a word limit of up to 1,500 words for each piece. Strong history essays are driven by arguments backed up with specific evidence, usually from a mixture of primary and secondary sources; written work that shows these qualities is particularly helpful for us to see what you can do.
Interviews
Shortlisted applicants for History at King’s will have two interviews, each lasting around 25 minutes.
One of these interviews will build on material you’ve already been studying at school, such as by discussing something emerging from your written work, or a topic that’s part of your curriculum at A-Level or equivalent. The other will be a more wide-ranging discussion to explore your interest in History, and how you think historically; this interview may also involve a source-based exercise, for which no prior preparation is required.
While they are meant to see how you respond to new approaches to the past, and to allow you demonstrate your skills as a historian, both interviews are – above all – conversations. Ultimately, we’re less interested in what you already know about the past than in the ways you might expand, refine, and reframe that knowledge going forward.
What we look for in an applicant
We look for students who are academically curious, have explored history outside of their school or college curriculum, and are ready to be challenged.
A top tip for applicants
Show us why you are interested in History – what intellectual excitement it has for you.
Find out more
You can find our more about History by visiting the University website and the Faculty of History website. If you are interested in exploring the different subjects you can study alongside History, you can read more about History and Modern Languages and History and Politics at King’s.
King’s also runs Open Days if you'd like a taste of what studying here is really like.
Our History Fellows have discussed their research as part of our King's of Curiosity podcast series, hosted by our Provost. Hear Marcus Boick talk about the history of Germany or Peter Frankopan and Carrie Humphrey explore the Silk Roads. They make perfect super-curricular activities!
Life as a King's History student
History students typically have five or six hours of lectures per week in the Faculty of History, and two weekly supervisions (an hour of one-, two- or three-to-one teaching) in College. The King’s History students also have some group teaching within College related to the ‘Historical Thinking’ papers on the degree, usually two sessions a term in first year and a bit more in second and third year. History students at King’s are encouraged to pursue a language as a non-assessed, extracurricular element, and would usually have another supervision a week for that as well. A lot of time is spent on independent study – reading, reflecting, writing – most likely in either the College library or the University Library.
We usually take eight to ten students each year for the single-subject History degree, one or two for the joint History & Modern Languages degree, and two or three on the History & Politics degree.
In a typical supervision, a student will be asked to explore their understanding of that week’s subject and be challenged on how they think about it. If it’s a week where they have submitted an essay, the supervisor would give some one-to-one feedback on that, in terms of writing and essay structure as well as subject comprehension.
The best thing about studying History at King’s is how much the course encourages you to think independently and explore topics you are genuinely interested in. I really enjoy the small-group discussions because they make the course feel collaborative and supportive, and the lecturers are so passionate about their subjects that the content always feels engaging and relevant.
- Claudia, 1st year
One of my favourite things about doing History at King's is how we are encouraged to pursue language learning, with funding available for language courses and supervisions. With various programmes and initiatives running at college, such as the Silk Roads Programme, there is always a steady stream of fascinating history-related talks.
- Firoza, 2nd year
Careers and graduate opportunities
As a History graduate, you’ll have the ability to work independently, evaluate evidence, and present arguments clearly and persuasively. Past graduates have worked across many different sectors, including journalism, broadcasting, teaching, research, finance, consultancy, law, and public administration.
< Watch an interview with Bob Hewis, a King's History graduate now working for the David Parr House, a historic house and museum in Cambridge.
