History

History is the study of how human societies, institutions, and ideas have changed over time and what that change can teach us about the present. Sheffield offers a particularly resonant setting for historical study: the city's industrial heritage and social movements provide a concrete backdrop for examining the forces that have shaped the modern world. History as an academic discipline develops the capacity to read complex evidence, weigh competing interpretations, and construct arguments that are rigorous, nuanced, and clearly expressed.

At Sheffield Hallam University, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich placement year, and work placements, making it both accessible and practically grounded. You will work alongside expert historians who are passionate about helping you learn and grow, engaging with the big ideas and events that have shaped history from local and regional perspectives through to global transformations. The city itself is woven into the programme, and its industrial and social history provides material for exploring themes of class, labour, politics, and community change that have broad relevance to understanding the modern world.

The placement year and work placements give you direct professional experience in historical research, heritage, education, or related roles.

History graduates from Sheffield Hallam go on to careers in education, heritage and museum work, journalism, the civil service, politics, publishing, and the charitable sector. The transferable skills developed in the degree, including research, critical analysis, written communication, and the ability to construct sustained arguments from complex evidence, are valued across essentially any professional field. Postgraduate study in history, heritage management, archival studies, education, or public history is a natural route for those who wish to develop their expertise or pursue specialised professional roles.