How you learn

You’ll study an exciting, cutting-edge course which explores current issues in the region, the nation and across the globe. You’ll develop your research, critical thinking and communication skills while applying your academic learning to the real world, with opportunities to engage with project partners and gain practical experience through a work placement. 

We’ll cover topics such as empires and their legacies; class, revolution and movements for social justice; the histories of sex, gender and sexuality; globalisation and migration; bodies and biopolitics

You’ll have considerable choice over the focus of your assessments, across a variety of coursework formats (no exams). For example, as well as traditional essays and reports, you’ll learn to create digi-stories and blog posts. 

You learn through:   

• lectures   
• seminars   
• workshops  
• tutorials  
• group learning  
• field trips   
• events   
• guest speakers   

There are also opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities – with the possibility of funding through the Turing Scheme. 

Key themes

In your first year you’ll explore the history of Sheffield and its role in local, British and global history. The three modules in semester two will further develop your skills while introducing you to core historical knowledge – relating to histories of empire, revolution, and sex, gender, and sexuality. 

In your second year, you’ll build on these foundations by exploring themes of migration and diasporas, popular movements and the fight for rights, and the human body and biopolitics. You’ll also be able to test your knowledge and skills beyond the university – either through a work placement or an immersive project placement with one of our partner organisations. 

Specialising in vital topics that shape contemporary society, your final year modules will consider the ‘history of now’ – uncovering Black histories, interrogating historic and current threats to democracy, and examining sex and sexuality in wartime. 

Throughout the course you’ll be encouraged to specialise and develop your own personal interests in each module. Your degree then culminates in an extended independent research project. Here you’ll apply the skills you’ve developed by researching an original topic of your choice, using primary sources to contribute to historians’ debates.

Course support

We’ll support you every step of the way to fulfil your potential and ambitions – whether you’re working with others in small groups, or developing your own independent learning style.   

You’ll also be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include: 

• access to specialist student support advisers to help with your personal, academic and career development
• access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments  
• industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities

Course leaders and tutors

Ben Offiler

Lecturer in History

I am a Lecturer in History with particular interests in the history of American philanthropy, development discourse, and US-Iranian relations during the Cold War.

• Twitter

Applied learning

Work placements

In your second year you’ll have the opportunity to take a work placement or collaborate on a research project with an external partner.

You’ll also have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Previous work placements have included primary and secondary schools, local museums such as Kelham Island Industrial Museum, and other heritage organisations and local businesses. Students have also worked on projects with organisations such as the Eccles Centre for American Studies at the British Library, Sheffield General Cemetery, Stobs Military Camp Hawick and the National Maritime Museum.

Live projects

You’ll undertake ‘live’ projects as part of your degree, getting a taste of how to use the skills you learn on the course in the real world. For example, working on a project brief at level 4, undertaking archival and desk-based research, you’ll explore local and global themes to contribute to a public history project.

At level 5 you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a more immersive commissioned project, working in a team to meet the needs of one of our partner organisations. 

At level 6 you’ll complete a piece of independent research on a theme of your choice – again in discussion with an interested external partner. These will help you develop the self-confidence and motivation you’ll need for graduate-level jobs. You’ll also be able to list these on your CV.  

Field trips 

In previous years, students have visited Kelham Island Museum, Weston Park Museum and the Sheffield City Archives.

Future careers

There are many things you can do with a history degree. Our students have gone into just about every industry you can think of. Your skills will be valued across a range of exciting and rewarding careers, including:

• teaching
• local government
• the civil service
• journalism
• librarianship
• the heritage industry
• human resources
• advertising/marketing
• law
• financial services
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:

• Sheffield City Archive
• Sheffield Museums
• Barnsley Museum
• local and national newspapers
• primary and secondary education
• the civil service
• local government

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

• Home students
• International students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 268.6KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.