History and Philosophy BA Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Explore human history and thought from its most ancient periods to the present day. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the relationship between historical context and philosophical thought. 

Across each subject, you can explore the moral, social, political, religious, and scientific developments that have made human life possible, and which continue to challenge humanity today. Our geographical scope is wide and diverse, from Britain and Europe to Asia, North America and Africa. 

You will gain the skills, understanding, and knowledge to describe and make sense of these ideas and events, and to argue for your own interpretations of them. These are the transferable skills needed for a wide range of exciting careers. 

By combining philosophy and history, this degree enables you to critically explore profound questions about human existence and society by analysing how historical events and philosophical ideas intertwine. It offers a broader perspective on the ways human life has been shaped over time, fostering a deeper appreciation of humanity’s intellectual and cultural achievements.

In developing skills such as reasoning, argumentation, and effective communication, you’ll acquire the tools needed to interpret complex concepts and present thoughtful interpretations. These capabilities not only enhance academic learning but also prepare you for diverse professional paths.

The program encourages intellectual curiosity and challenges you to consider how history and philosophy can address contemporary issues. With a global and interdisciplinary approach, you’ll gain insights into the diversity of human experiences and be equipped to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world. 

### Explore more  

* [I know what I want to do for a career](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/i-know-what-i-want-to-do-for-a-career.html "Career opportunities with this degree") 

* [I am unsure what career I’d like](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/i-m-unsure-what-career-i-d-like---.html "Careers advice for our students")  

* [Get involved](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/getting-work-experience.html "Work experience opportunities") - make the most of your time at Nottingham

### Your departments

For more information on what it's like to study with us, take a look at the [Department of History](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/departments/history/index.aspx "Department of History homepage") and [Department of Philosophy](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/departments/philosophy/index.aspx "Department of Philosophy homepage") websites.

### Course highlights

* Study the periods, themes and events that interest you the most with our wide range of optional modules.

* Gain valuable experience and share your passion for the subject through the [Department of History](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/departments/history/schools-and-community/schools-volunteering-project.aspx "School volunteering project in History") and [Department of Philosophy](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/departments/philosophy/schools-and-community/philosophy-in-schools.aspx "Teaching philosophy project") volunteering projects.

* Build the skills and confidence to debate your views, as well as career-ready skills such as organisation, teamwork and leadership.

### Proven results

* We’re ranked 16th in the UK for history and 14th in the UK for philosophy (Daily Mail University Guide 2026).

* The average starting salary for history undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £29,682. The average starting salary for philosophy and theology and religious studies undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £28,500 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).