English and History

English and History is one of the most natural and enduring combinations in the humanities. Literature is always produced within historical moments, shaped by political events, cultural assumptions and social structures, while history is itself partly constituted by the stories societies tell about themselves and the records and texts they leave behind. Studying them together develops a richer capacity for reading and thinking than either discipline can provide alone, training you to move fluently between close textual analysis and broad historical context.

At the University of Aberdeen this four-year full-time degree draws on the particular strengths of one of the UK's leading research environments for English literature, language and creative writing, setting literary study in the wider context of world and British history across every period of literature. You will develop specialist knowledge in both subjects alongside the transferable skills that employers across a wide range of sectors value: research, critical writing, analytical argument and the ability to handle complex information. The degree includes a year abroad, broadening your intellectual and cultural perspective.

Graduates from English and History degrees go on to careers in publishing, journalism, broadcasting, education, heritage, the civil service, policy research, law, the voluntary sector and the creative industries. The analytical reading, historical understanding and communication skills that the combination develops are valued by employers across virtually every field that involves working with language, ideas and complex information. Postgraduate study in English literature, history, education, publishing or heritage studies is a common next step for those wishing to develop further expertise.