BA (Hons) History Bachelor's degree at Swansea University
BA (Hons) History at Swansea University. You'll develop knowledge across core theory, research and methods, and applied practice, alongside specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
About this course
History explores medieval, early and modern history through subjects including, women’s history and gender, modern British society and more From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) History is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Swansea University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For History graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 35% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for History, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 9 modules
- From Facts to Fake News: Being a Historian in the Twenty-First CenturyCompulsory20 credits
- Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the PresentCompulsory20 credits
- Medieval Matters: Exploring the Middle AgesCompulsory20 credits
- Global Challenges and the HistorianCompulsory20 credits
- The Early Modern World, 1500-1800Compulsory20 credits
- Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United StatesOptional20 credits
- Forging a Nation: US History and PoliticsOptional20 credits
- Pompeii and beyondOptional20 credits
- The Past in its Place: History and Heritage Field TripOptional20 credits
Year 2 17 modules
- The Practice of HistoryCompulsory20 credits
- America in a Nutshell: A History of Pennsylvania from William Penn to Donald Trump, 1631-201620 credits
- The Heirs of Rome: The Making of Christendom, Byzantium, and Islam in the Early Middle Ages, 400-80020 credits
- Europe 1500-1650: Renaissance, Reformation and Religious War20 credits
- The Anglo-Norman World, 1066-122520 credits
- The Past in the Present: Exploring Heritage Practice and Debates20 credits
- Britain in the Early Middle Ages: Slavery, Dragons, Queens and Vikings20 credits
- History Work Placement20 credits
- The Making of Transatlantic America20 credits
- Rhyfel Cartref America20 credits
- Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain20 credits
- Re-Thinking the South: Southern Culture and History, 1865-195520 credits
- Medicine and the Modern World, 1800 to the Present20 credits
- The Story of America on Film and Television, 1607-186720 credits
- Stori America Ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1607-186720 credits
- The Rise and Fall of the Russian Empire20 credits
- The Global First World War20 credits
Year 3 10 modules
- History DissertationCompulsory40 credits
- The Lights that Failed: the League of Nations and International Peace 1919 -193920 credits
- The Hungry World: Food, Famine and the End of Empire, 1880-194520 credits
- The Reign of King John, 1199-1216: Misrule and Magna Carta20 credits
- The First Crusade: Devotion, Piety and Power in the Latin Christian World20 credits
- The Great Depression and New Deal America, 1929-194120 credits
- Monarchy: Ancient and MedievalOptional20 credits
- The Russian Civil WarOptional20 credits
- The Placing of History: Digitally Mapping the Historic PastOptional20 credits
- The Story of the USA on Film and Television, 1865-2008Optional20 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course explores medieval, early and modern history through subjects including women's history and gender, modern British society and more. You'll usually start with foundations in historical method and broad surveys spanning medieval, early modern and modern periods. In your second year, you'll move towards focused study of particular periods or themes through primary sources, alongside historiography and public history, understanding how historical interpretations develop and how history reaches audiences beyond the university. By your final year, you'll undertake advanced document-led study and choose specialist options in areas such as modern history, medieval studies, global and imperial history, social and cultural history, public history and heritage, or archival research. You'll complete your degree with an original research dissertation based on primary evidence.
Who it's for
This course suits students with strong interest in historical analysis and research. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among recent entrants was 112–127 points. You should be prepared for independent study, essay writing, and critical evaluation of historical sources and arguments.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 85% of History graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. Graduate earnings vary: at 15 months post-graduation, the national range is £23,500–£31,000; after three years, £20,400–£28,800; and after five years, £25,500–£36,000. These figures reflect national outcomes across History courses, not university-specific guarantees.
University & format
This BA (Hons) History is a full-time, 3-year degree awarded by Swansea University, a public university founded in 1920. The course is taught in English and leads to a nationally recognised UK bachelor's degree. Entry typically involves A-levels or equivalent; most accepted students hold A-level or equivalent qualifications. Swansea University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 89%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code V100). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page. Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Swansea University →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,000 | £22,000 – £26,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £21,500 | £18,000 – £26,000 | 235 |
| 5 years after | £26,500 | £22,000 – £32,000 | 245 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs History nationally
National figures for History graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with History courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,423 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 15% of published destinations
- Customer service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 15% of published destinations
- Protective service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
- Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 40; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) History worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) History earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How History graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where History graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Museums & archives
- Heritage bodies
- Schools
- Civil service & media
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit History graduates.
History & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingChartereastdulwichHistory & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingThe Charter Schools Educational TrustHistory Teachers in Kirklees and HalifaxCV-LibraryHistory TeachersSABIS NETWORK SCHOOLSIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £24,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 88.3% · in work or study 90% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Swansea University
Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Swansea University - Singleton Campus
370 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is History right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Swansea University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £20,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Swansea University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Swansea University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Swansea University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BA (Hons) History
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.