Why study History? What you can do with a History degree 🎓

Choosing which degree you want to study at university can be difficult. 

It’s important to pick one that offers good job prospects, but for people who are unsure of a set career path, it’s also important to pick one that offers a range of opportunities.  

If you have decided to study a History degree, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the variety of jobs and paths that are on offer.

However, it’s important to remember that no two career journeys are the same. Not every graduate is destined to be a History teacher or an academic! 

If you’re wondering ‘why should I study History?’, we’ll be talking through what History degree graduate jobs are available, if a History degree is worth it, and what skills you can gain from a History degree. 

What jobs can I get with a History degree? 

History is commonly associated with the wide range of career opportunities it offers graduates.  

The types of jobs available for History degree graduates range from media and HR to law and even governmental and civil service positions.  

History graduates can alternatively choose to work in finance and accountancy despite not having studied a degree specific to these industries.

Some may choose to partake in a conversion course or a master’s degree to make this career route more accessible, but that is not always necessary.  

What skills does a History degree give you? 

The skillset you gain throughout a History degree is invaluable.  

The ability to manage heavy workloads is something that many employers look for in candidates as it demonstrates a proficiency in handling multiple tasks whilst adhering to deadlines in a busy environment.  

Employers can also see that you are able to give convincing opinions making you an imperative team member as you are not afraid to suggest new ideas.  

This skill is particularly useful if you want to work in a sector that involves public speaking or journalism, as being a confident communicator (both verbally and in your writing) is essential to the role. 

It also means you are an engaging applicant to both your interviewer and your future colleagues as your confidence will make you a valuable member of their team. 

The skillset you gain in a History degree will make you a desirable candidate for a wide range of jobs, not just the ones that are traditionally associated with History. 

Is a History degree worth it? 

 A History degree is definitely worth your time, as you can tailor your path of study to both the subjects that interest you and the career you are aiming to work in.  

History degree university modules are often extensive to give you a wide scope of learning. 

Most of the universities that offer History will allow you to mould your degree around your interests through these modules, whether you’re in your first year or final year of study.  

At the Open University, for example, at stage three there are only optional History modules to allow students to customise their degree based on where their interests lie.  

Students can focus on a specific event, country, or a specialized time frame if they choose to. Or you could focus on a category, for example economic or social History, if you wanted to study subjects that are relevant to the career you are looking to work in. 

The accessibility of studying History is partly what makes it so desirable. History degree entry requirements can vary from university to university, so you’ll have a lot of options to pick from when deciding where to go. 

It’s also worth considering a History joint honours degree. Most subjects complement areas of History well and it is an easy subject to pair alongside to both delve deeper into the course and help improve your understanding of your other degree. 

Not only do History students come out with a specific set of skills based on which areas they chose to focus on, but they are simply more exciting candidates to employers. They have had the opportunity to study a wide variety of subjects compared to other courses where this may not be as accessible. 

It is important to remember whilst specialised degrees can be useful for connections, those applications can often come across as robotic and can often demonstrate skills that are only relevant for a particular career path. 

Employers want candidates with a wide range of skills and interests and specialised degrees can often imply to them that a graduate has only gained the skills necessary for a job in a specific field. 

It is a common misconception that you have to study a degree that relates directly to the job you are looking for. 

If an employer sees that a candidate has a set of versatile skills that they have gained from their degree, their application will be more attractive than someone who studied a degree that didn’t offer them the opportunity to achieve this.  

Why is it important to study History at university?

Studying History will give you a community of useful connections and contacts for the future, and new releases in the field will almost always be useful.

Furthermore, History is always changing so it is important to remember that it is not always about the old books written decades before you were born!

Through studying History, you will become part of a community that is able to have insightful discussions about varying areas of History, rather than studying a degree where many of the students study much of the same content.

Society is always living through History. It is always changing, as are the opportunities available at the end of the degree.

With more and more employers wanting graduates with History degree skills in their companies, they will be able to build a talent pool of grads that are able to adapt to different situations and mindsets.

Graduate History degree prospects are endless and by choosing History you’ll make waves in the job market whilst studying a degree you love!