History/Philosophy

History and philosophy at the University of Glasgow brings together two disciplines that have been in conversation since antiquity, and that together develop one of the most powerful combinations of intellectual skills available in undergraduate education. History is the study of change and continuity in human society through time, examining how political structures, economies, cultures, and ideas have developed, interacted, and transformed across centuries and continents. Philosophy asks the foundational questions that underlie all intellectual inquiry: what can we know, what should we do, and what is ultimately real?

Together they teach you to examine evidence rigorously and to think clearly about what follows from it.

At Glasgow, this four-year full-time degree draws on a wide-ranging history programme spanning medieval to modern times and covering Scottish, British, European, American, and global history, including expertise in slavery studies, gender history, and war and intelligence studies. The philosophy component develops your skills in logic, ethics, metaphysics, and the history of philosophy, building the argumentative and analytical abilities that the discipline demands. A year abroad is included, providing the opportunity to engage with these disciplines in a different institutional and cultural setting.

Graduates from history and philosophy programmes are highly regarded across many professional fields. The civil service, law, journalism, publishing, education, policy research, the charity sector, and academic research are all common destinations. The combination of historical knowledge, philosophical precision, and written communication skills developed through the degree is applicable across virtually any knowledge-intensive career.

Postgraduate study in history, philosophy, ethics, law, or social science is a natural continuation for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue academic careers.