Why should I study History?

What is History?

History helps us understand change and how the society we live in came to be. The second reason history is inescapable as a subject of serious study follows closely on the first. The past causes the present, and so the future. Most students who study history, select a focus, whether that be art history, ancient history, education history, military history, or based on a region, like European history.

Three reasons to study History:

  1. Understand other cultures: history programmes address questions such as “Why are other cultures different from ours?” or “Why are some cultures antagonistic, whereas others are not?”. By studying the past, you will learn more about what makes populations tick the way they do.
  2. Increase your understanding of national identities and societies: as a student of history, you will look into how nations were formed by an understanding of a shared past and a common identity. In addition, it makes societies better to learn from the past!
  3. Understand change: history is the study of change. The world is constantly changing, so understanding the role of change in society helps you interpret the world in its current state. History provides you with a firm grasp of why things change, the mechanisms driving change and its significance.

How to study History?

Students of history zoom in on the succession of events and work closely with original sources. Credits are usually gained by writing papers or giving presentations. Having progressed further in their studies, students can focus on a region, country or period in time.

What kind of jobs can I get by studying History?

These specialisations will help you decide which career path to take. History graduates go on to pursue careers in research and heritage, education and museum sectors, as well as event marketing, advertising, public relations and journalism.

How can U-Multirank help me find the best History study programme for me?

If you’re considering pursuing a degree in history, then let us help you find the best university for you. U-Multirank’s ‘For students track offers personalised university comparisons, so you can find the university that best matches you. U-Multirank’s subject rankings provide the feedback of more than 100,000 current students studying at the respective universities, offering a unique student perspective to the rankings via our Teaching & Learning dimension. Create your own personalised rankings today, and compare universities according to what matters most to you.  To start, make sure to select history as your subject of interest and we’ll help guide you through the rest.

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