History
6th in UK for world-leading research
Based on our GPA in REF 2021
Top 100 in the world for History
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Top 10 in the UK for History
The Complete University Guide 2025 and The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
90% of graduates in or due to start employment or further study fifteen months after graduation
Based on full-time, first degree, UK domiciled graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes survey 2019/20
Degrees at Streatham Campus, Exeter
Degrees at Penryn Campus, Cornwall
Studying History at the University of Exeter takes you on a journey through the human race in historic times: our activities, ideas, creations, institutions and impact. What you encounter will enhance your understanding of other subjects and areas of knowledge and improve your awareness of different cultures, providing intellectual skills that will be of use throughout your life.
You’ll learn to collect evidence through the use of libraries, archives, the internet, interviews, languages, palaeography and environmental field work, and how to analyse this evidence through authentication, numeracy skills, dating, understanding and interpretation, critical study and reflection, and accurate description. You’ll also learn to present evidence and interpret it in a responsible, well-informed and convincing way, and to place it in context to show how and why it was produced, its relative importance and value, and what impact it has had. These are key skills transferable to a wide range of professions and occupations.
Our History programmes are high quality, modern and innovative, introducing a range of countries, periods and themes in stimulating and intellectually challenging ways. The teaching on our programmes is inspired by the research interests of our staff, which range from the early Medieval period to the 21st century, with strengths in the history of Britain, continental Europe, and in world history.
We have an interdisciplinary perspective and close links to related disciplines including Classics and Ancient History, Archaeology, English, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Politics.
History has always been my favourite subject. The wide range of module choices has allowed me to study a range of very interesting time periods and topics, and I have been given the opportunity to learn a new language which I am thoroughly enjoying.
I would recommend Exeter to anyone who would like to be taken out of their comfort zone. I have learnt a lot about myself by attending this institution.
I have thoroughly enjoyed diving deeper into medieval periods that I was unable to cover at school. Unlike some other history courses, Exeter’s course is not Eurocentric, and there are many modules covering different areas of world history. For example, I am currently studying a module on Islamic history.
Hanife
BA History (Exeter)
I really enjoyed the variety of modules I got to study, and the fact that students were really encouraged to pursue their own research interests. I also found the course very intellectually stimulating, and as a result, very rewarding. I also really valued the small class sizes and personal nature of the teaching that's able to be offered at the Penryn Campus.
When I left Exeter, I joined the Treasury's graduate scheme (called the Graduate Development Programme). One of the things that attracted me to a job in the civil service was the room for progression and development. For me, it was important to have a job that challenged me, where there was a clear career trajectory, and where the work I did had a tangible impact on society - and the civil service gives me just that. I also enjoy the variety and high-profile nature of the work I get to do.
Katie
BA History (Cornwall)
