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Undergraduate Programmes

Studying History as an Undergraduate

Welcome to the UCD School of History rated in the Top 100 for ‘History’ in the world (QS World Rankings, 2019). Based in the heart of UCD’s main campus our School is home to a large and diverse group of world-class historians who specialise in a broad range of histories that span the globe, from the early medieval period to the present day.

History is virtually unique amongst the humanities in the emphasis it places on understanding people, actions, events, and processes in context and on their own terms.  It offers valuable insight into how and why society has changed, which can better equip us to understand the world we live in today. Studying History is the best way of making sense of our own stories and experiences. If you wonder how ideas, commerce, warfare, science, empires and revolutions have forged new worlds, then History is the subject for you. 

There are many ways to study History at Undergraduate level. You can choose a BA Arts (3 years), BA Humanities (4 years) or BCL Law With History (4 years)

History students acquire key transferable skills that are attractive to a wide range of employers. These skills include critical thinking, creativity, writing, and researching. Recent graduates work in organisations such as RTÉ, the National Museum, Google, Dail Eireann, Government Departments, and the EU Commission.

After graduating with a degree in History, students can progress to Masters or PhD level and specialise in an area of History that interests.  Students can also undertake a UCD Postgraduate Conversion course in areas such as Education, Law, Marketing or International Business. 

For more information on under graduate modules offered by the School, please follow this link: Undergraduate Syllabus

This long-established and internationally-recognised joint-honours three-year degree enables you study history along with a wide variety of subjects. A degree with History provides an excellent foundation for a broad range of postgraduate study, professional work and diverse career options.

BA Arts - Key Features:

  • 3 year course
  • Major in two preferred subjects
  • You can combine History with a choice of 20 Other subjects
  • Excellent foundation for a wide range of careers and future study

Find out more.

There is an option to extend to a 4-year BA International degree and spend Year 3 abroad at one of our partner universities, including universities in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Norway, Australia and the US. Further information on the international exchanges is available from UCD Global.

More information on the extensive range of modules available can be found here.

The new innovative four-year BA Humanities provides coherence and depth within a structured framework. This course offers both intensive training in History and other subjects, enabling the development of unique skill sets.

The BA Humanities courses with History are:

BA Humanities - Key Features:

  • 4-year course
  • Innovative interdisciplinary programme
  • Internship and study abroad opportunities
  • Intensive discipline training

BA Humanities Prospectus.

History

Humans live through their stories. Studying History is the best way of making sense of our own stories and how the world we live in came to be. If you are curious about upheaval and change and wonder  how ideas, commerce, warfare, science, empires and revolutions forged new worlds, then single subject History is the subject for you.

Click here for more information.

More information on the extensive range of modules available.

History and Politics

History and Politics is the potent combination of subjects for students looking to ivnvestigate the workings of government and society in contemporary and historical perspectives. You will examine why society has changed and seek to understand the issues facing societies across the globe today. Across both subjects, the programme will teach you the essential skills of writing, critical thinking, evaluating evidence and accessing data.

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More information on the extensive range of modules available.

Classics, English & History

In this course you will explore issues of memory, truth, curioursity and understanding that have fascinated people at all times and at all places and get to the heart of vital questions about society, history, culture and life itself.  You will delve into the array of texts that are the result of millennia of lives lived and develop a deep understanding of human experience in Europe and its associated cultures from earliest times to the present day.

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More information on the extensive range of modules available.

Knowledge and appreciation of history are vital to any civil society.  The skills which are learnt in the process of pursuing a degree in history are also vital to career development.  Studying history can also provide training essential for the heritage and cultural sectors.  In our experience, however, the vast majority of our graduates go on to employment in a truly breathtaking range of occupations, including (but not limited to) management, financial services, the civil service, teaching, and the media.

More Information