History | Aston University, Birmingham

Course summary

Critical thinkers, cultural navigators and master communicators - our history graduates are ready to shape the future by understanding the past.

Course description

The BA (Hons) History programme at Aston University offers an engaging exploration of the past during the modern and contemporary period (since 1789). The course is designed to cultivate critical thinking, research skills, and a deep understanding of historical contexts.

Working closely with experienced historians at every stage, you will follow classes in a wide range of fields including global and British history, history of international relations, history of technology, history of emotions, and the history of slavery.

Each year, alongside your other modules, you will take at least one practice-based module that invites you to get your hands dirty outside the lecture room in a local archive or other heritage institution. These modules are what we call our ‘employability spine’. Thus, as you grow your expertise as a historian, you will be boosting your employment prospects by acquiring real-world knowledge and skills.

Opting for the placement year will also provide you with invaluable real-world experience, preparing you for the job market.

Key course benefits

Opportunity to grow – 100% of students felt positive about the learning opportunities available to them (History programmes; National Student Survey. 2023)
Gold standard teaching – Aston University was awarded Gold – the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)
Excellent prospects – Aston University was named runner-up in the University of the Year for Graduate Employment Award (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide)
Earn more – Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)
Safe in our hands – 100% of students felt positive about the academic support they received (History programmes; National Student Survey, 2023)

Course details

Modules
For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/history-ba

Assessment method
For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/history-ba

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:: V100
Institution code:: A80

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Aston University, Birmingham - Undergraduate Open Day
4 Jul 2026, 08:00
Birmingham

Entry requirements

Select a course option at the top of this page to view entry requirement information.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.