Everything happening around us today has been influenced by and is a result of what has happened in the past. History can help us predict what could happen in the future.
History is one of the Russell Group universities’ ‘facilitating’ subjects — so called because choosing them at A-level allows a wide range of options for degree study. One of the most flexible of qualifications, History provides an excellent pathway to degrees such as History, Law, English and Philosophy, and beyond that to a range of interesting careers.
What will you study within A-level History?
The huge range of themes and eras that can be studied within the context of History mean that specific content covered within A-level History will vary from school to school, and depending on the exam board followed.
Within the Edexcel specification however, some of the topics that can be covered include Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII (1399–1509); Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors (1485 – 1603); The Golden Age of Spain (1474 –1598); The witch craze in Britain, Europe and North America (c. 1580 – c. 1750); Industrialisation and social change in Britain (1759 – 1928); Britain: losing and gaining an empire, (1763 – 1914).
What skills will you get from studying History?
This intellectually rigorous course is an excellent way for students to develop highly sought after and transferable skills. These include being able to effectively communicate complex ideas, the ability to research, analyse and evaluate information, both orally and in writing, and the capacity to make substantiated judgements, all whilst developing independent work skills.
What careers can studying History lead to?
A History related degree is useful for a number of careers, including teaching, librarianship, banking and commerce, the law, publishing, museums and art galleries and a wide variety of social work.
Top 20 universities for History
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
| 1 | University of St Andrews |
| 2 | London School of Economics and Political Science |
| 3 | University of Oxford |
| 4 | Durham University |
| 5 | University College London |
| 6 | University of Cambridge |
| 7 | University of Warwick |
| 8 | University of Strathclyde |
| 9 | University of Leicester |
| 10 | University of York |
| 11 | Queen Mary University of London |
| 12 | King's College London |
| 13 | Loughborough University |
| 14 | University of Birmingham |
| 15 | University of Bristol |
| 16 | University of Exeter |
| 17 | University of Sheffield |
| 18 | University of Kent |
| 19 | University of Glasgow |
| 20 | Cardiff University |
Below are real-life examples of what university degrees studying A-level History, in combination with other subjects, can lead to.
| History/ Economics/ Maths | University of Manchester | Business |
| History/ Economics/ Maths/ Further Maths | University of Manchester | Law |
For more details on the History A-level and syllabus, take a look at our dedicated factsheet
