History and Sociology

History and sociology are disciplines that approach the human world from complementary angles. History reconstructs past events, structures and experiences through evidence, situating them in their context and tracing change over time. Sociology analyses the structures, institutions and processes that shape social life, from inequality and class to gender, race, religion and the dynamics of power.

Together they give you both a temporal depth and a structural toolkit for understanding why human societies look the way they do, and how they came to be that way.

The University of Sheffield offers this programme over three years full time, with a structure that is notably rich in experiential learning. A sandwich year provides a sustained work placement, a year abroad allows you to study in another country and gain an international academic perspective, and embedded work placement opportunities extend your professional experience further. The typical entry tariff sits around 136 UCAS points, and Sheffield is consistently recognised as a strong environment for both historical and social scientific research.

You will study historical periods and themes alongside sociological theory, research methods and empirical investigation. The combination encourages you to think both historically about sociological questions, asking how contemporary patterns of inequality or cultural change developed over time, and sociologically about historical ones, asking what structural forces shaped historical events and experiences. You will develop skills in archival research, qualitative and quantitative social science methods, critical analysis of secondary literature and the communication of complex arguments in writing and discussion.

Graduates of combined history and sociology programmes are well prepared for a wide range of careers. Policy work in central and local government, the civil service, the third sector and international organisations draws on exactly the kind of analytical and contextual thinking these subjects develop. Journalism, research, public affairs, community development and social work are all common destinations.

Many graduates also enter education, law, management consulting and public administration. Sheffield's strong placement and international connections give graduates a notable professional foundation. Postgraduate study in history, sociology, criminology, social policy or international relations is a natural next step for those who wish to specialise.