History With Foundation Year

History is the disciplined study of human experience over time. It asks how societies have changed, why events unfolded as they did, and whose stories have been told and whose have been left out. Studying history develops habits of mind that are genuinely transferable: the ability to evaluate conflicting evidence, to construct a well-reasoned argument from incomplete information, to understand context and causation, and to communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision.

These are skills that matter far beyond the subject itself.

At Edge Hill University, this programme begins with a foundation year designed to build the subject-specific knowledge and academic skills you need to succeed at degree level. The foundation year is particularly well suited to students who show real ability and motivation but whose prior qualifications or educational background mean they benefit from an additional year of preparation before entering the main degree. Over the four years of the full-time programme you will develop your historical knowledge across different periods, places and themes, learning to work with primary sources and to engage seriously with the arguments of other historians.

History programmes typically move from broader survey work in the early years toward greater specialisation, with independent research playing a larger role as you progress. You will write extended essays and dissertations that require you to identify a question, locate and assess relevant sources, and present an original interpretation. Discussion and seminar debate are central to historical learning, and you will be expected to challenge interpretations and defend your own readings with evidence.

Graduates from history degrees are sought after across a wide range of careers because of the analytical and communication skills they develop. Common pathways include roles in education, archiving and heritage, journalism, law, public policy, the civil service, charity and third-sector work, and business management. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study, whether in history itself or in related fields such as law, public administration or museum studies.