History

History is the discipline that allows us to understand how the world we inhabit came to be, and to engage with the lives, decisions, and forces that shaped it. It is the study of change and continuity, of power and resistance, of ideas and their consequences, conducted through the critical examination of evidence and the construction of persuasive, well-supported arguments. Studying history at university is not a passive encounter with a fixed past but an active engagement with the ongoing debates and reinterpretations that make the discipline genuinely alive.

At Sheffield Hallam, in a city with a rich industrial heritage and a significant tradition of social movements, this part-time programme gives you access to a community of passionate historians and a curriculum shaped by that particular urban and industrial context. You will study history alongside expert academics dedicated to helping you learn and grow, exploring the big ideas that have shaped the modern world and developing the skills of archival research, critical reading, and analytical writing that the discipline demands. The foundation year provides additional preparation for students who need it, and the programme also includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, connecting your academic study to professional contexts in heritage, education, the arts, or the public sector.

History graduates are valued across a wide range of professional fields. The research, writing, and analytical skills you develop are transferable to journalism, the civil service, law, education, heritage, archiving, publishing, and many other careers. Sheffield's strong connections to local museums, archives, and community history projects provide additional opportunities to apply and develop your skills.

Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in history or related fields, pursuing research or specialist professional qualifications.