BA (Hons) History · University of KentBachelor's degree · 3 years
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The University of Kent · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) History Bachelor's degree at the University of Kent

BA (Hons) History at University of Kent is delivered in English and leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
95%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Explore the past with a BA (Hons) in History at the University of Kent. Study a wide range of historical periods and topics, develop critical analysis skills, and prepare for careers in education, research, and heritage. Apply now! From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) History is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Kent, based in Canterbury. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For History graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 45% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £26,000. (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.

8.9
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional92

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)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional95

Limited evidence Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent82

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 82% (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.

Stage 1 12 modules
  • Controversial HistoriesCompulsory
    Module details

    How do we navigate the juncture between history, culture, and the politics of evidence? This module explores a series of historical controversies, in which conflicts over information and interpretation generated significant outcomes. You'll learn to reflect on and put into practice some of the core skills of a historian including locating, assessing, and critiquing the credibility of evidence, and considering the plausibility of arguments built around it.

  • History MakersCompulsory
    Module details

    How do historians from a range of backgrounds approach and understand the discipline of history? What is their relationship to the past and to the archive? You'll learn about some key figures who have shaped how history can be written, with attention to the ideologies, assumptions, and various methods or ambitions that different authors have applied to their historical subjects.

  • Early Medieval History, (c. 400 – c.1050)Optional
    Module details

    What happened when the Roman Empire collapsed? When did countries like England, France and Germany come into being? How violent were the Vikings? What was the Norman Conquest all about? Were the 'Dark Ages' really as grim as they are often made out to be? This module introduces you to the history of early medieval Europe (c.400–c.1100), examining the major political events and social changes that took place during this period.

  • Late Medieval History, (c. 1050 – c. 1450)Optional
    Module details

    How were Medieval polities forged? What role did they play in ordinary people's lives? This module is a survey of medieval Europe from c.1000 to c.1450. It includes elements of political, economic, social, religious, and cultural history.

  • The Rise of the United States Pt. 1Optional
    Module details

    How did a collection of colonies become a global superpower? You'll answer this question by examining the chaotic history of the United States. For much of its early history, the United States was a marvel: a country that would expand across the North American continent and emerge as a powerhouse, barely a century after its founding.

  • The Rise of the United States Pt. 2Optional
    Module details

    How did a collection of colonies develop into a global superpower? In this module, you'll examine the chaotic history of the United States by focusing on the modern period: the point at which the republic came of age.

  • The Making of Modern EuropeOptional
    Module details

    What is Europe and how did it take the shape we recognise today? This module will cover the major events and themes of European history from c.1700 to the present, reflecting on the establishment of modern political systems and the subsequent challenges they faced during moments of intense crisis.

  • A Global History of EmpireOptional
    Module details

    Has the expansion and collapse of imperialism over recent centuries been the single largest historical process that made the world we live in today? You'll explore this question and critically analyse how empires have shaped the world in countless ways.

  • Histories of Health and Medicine since 1800Optional
    Module details

    How did people in the past experience health and illness and how did this differ according to gender, age, race, ability and geography? How, why and when did professional medicine come to dominate discussions of health and treatments for illness?

  • Renaissance to the EnlightenmentOptional
    Module details

    From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, you'll survey the major events, themes, and historiographical debates in early modern history (c. 1450-1750). During this time in Europe and the wider world, major social, cultural, political and religious changes included the Renaissance, the advent of print, the Reformations, the rise of empires, the Enlightenment, the rise of slavery and an explosion of commodities and trade.

  • The Making of Modern BritainOptional
    Module details

    What is modern Britain? How was it 'made'? This module plots the history of modern Britain from the early nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth, taking in critical moments, movements, individuals and 'isms.'

  • War and Society in Europe, c.1789-1945Optional
    Module details

    How has warfare shaped modern Europe to create the world we live in today? Join a comparative study of wars in Europe from the French Revolution.

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

You'll examine the past across a range of historical periods and topics, developing the critical analysis skills needed for further study and professional work in heritage, education and research. A course like this typically begins with foundations in how historians work with sources and archives, then moves through broad historical surveys, medieval and early modern worlds, and the modern world, before advancing to focused specialist subjects studied through primary sources. You'll usually explore historiography and methods, learning how historical interpretations develop, and gain experience in public history through museums and heritage work. In your final year, you'll undertake document-led depth studies and pursue specialist options such as modern history, medieval studies, global and imperial history, social and cultural history, public history and heritage, or archival research. You'll complete an original research dissertation drawing on primary evidence.

Who it's for

Most accepted students arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications (85% of recent entrants). The typical UCAS tariff among accepted students falls between 128 and 143 points. This course suits those with a genuine interest in historical study and research, whether you're planning to specialise further or develop skills applicable across professional fields.

Careers & job market

Across History courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £23,500 to £31,000, rising to £25,500–£36,000 after five years. Retention is strong: 90% of students continue past their first year. These figures reflect national patterns for History graduates rather than university-specific outcomes.

University & format

This BA (Hons) is studied full-time over 3 years at the University of Kent, a public university founded in 1965 and based in Canterbury. Teaching is delivered in English. The degree is a nationally recognised qualification from a UK degree-awarding body. The university holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
95%
Learning opportunities
92%
Assessment and feedback
90%
Academic Support
100%
Organisation and management
89%
Learning resources
90%
Student voice
85%

Share of students responding positively.

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.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entryBBB / 104-120 UCAS points typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

PlacementPublished placement option

Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBB and around 120 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 128 - 143 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Kent's official course page for the current offer.

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

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent85%
a Baccalaureate10%
another higher-education qualification3%
a foundation course1%
Other1%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

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.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

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.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesAABA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeV100quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code V100). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Kent whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Home£9,790 / yr
International£19,300 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at University of Kent →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All University of Kent funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

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.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£26,000£23,500 – £31,00025
3 years after£25,000£19,500 – £30,000275
5 years after£31,500£25,000 – £40,000270

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

95%
in work or further study 15 months on
45%
in highly skilled work or study
82%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
55%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs History nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£26,000
£23,500 – £31,000
After 3 years LEO
£25,000
£20,400 – £28,800
After 5 years LEO
£31,500
£25,500 – £36,000
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £19,000 – £37,500

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.

95 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

75% working15% working and studying5% in further study45% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; 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.

This course £31,500Peer median £30,000Middle 50% £27,000–£34,500
60th percentile

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.

  • Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
  • Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
  • Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
  • Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760

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: 55; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Is BA (Hons) History worth it?

It depends. BA (Hons) History adds about +£45,630 over the first ten years vs. going straight to a job, but on these earnings the payoff is slower than average.

Mixed payoff: a longer-than-average break-even for this course
break evenyr 0yr 5yr 10yr 15yr 20graduateWorth it ≈ year 18.4

Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 18.4. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.

+£45,630
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
2.6×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£31,500
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£7,500 above a non-graduate (£24,000)

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.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across History courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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.

Where they work

  • Museums & archives
  • Heritage bodies
  • Schools
  • Civil service & media

Is 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 England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £26,000. 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 91.6% · in work or study 95% · continued 82%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Kent

All students16,070
International16%
Aged 25+15.6%

Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK

Students76,495
Aged 25+26.6%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Canterbury

318 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 122Anti Social Behaviour 71Other Theft 29Criminal Damage Arson 28Vehicle Crime 21

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 University of Kent from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £19,300 / 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 University of Kent’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 University of Kent and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is offer-based and set by the university. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 128 - 143 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by the University of Kent. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For History graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 45% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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