History and Philosophy

History and philosophy are two disciplines that have always been in conversation with each other, since the historical study of ideas requires philosophical understanding, and philosophical questions about knowledge, truth, ethics and politics can only be addressed adequately with a sense of how they have been posed and answered in different historical contexts. Together they provide one of the most intellectually rigorous undergraduate combinations available, developing your ability to think critically, argue carefully and engage with ideas across time, culture and tradition.

At Nottingham Trent University, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience alongside your academic studies. NTU's approach to history and philosophy emphasises the relevance of both disciplines to contemporary life, and the programme is designed to be intellectually challenging while also developing the skills that employers value. The typical entry tariff for this programme is around 104 UCAS points.

You will study historical periods, themes and methods alongside core areas of philosophy including ethics, epistemology, political philosophy and the philosophy of mind. The programme develops your close reading of primary sources, both historical documents and philosophical texts, and your ability to construct, evaluate and communicate complex arguments. You will learn to approach historical questions with philosophical rigour and philosophical questions with historical awareness, a combination that sharpens your thinking in both disciplines.

Graduates of history and philosophy programmes are well suited to careers where analytical thinking, careful argument and clear communication are central. Law and legal practice draw directly on these skills. The civil service, public policy, journalism, research, management consulting and education are all common destinations for graduates of humanities combinations like this one.

NTU's emphasis on professional development through the sandwich year gives graduates a practical dimension that complements the academic training well. Postgraduate study in history, philosophy, law, political theory or related fields is a natural next step for those who want to develop a specialism.