History

Studying History at Cambridge

UCAS Code: V100
How many are admitted to Cambridge every year:164
Minimum offer: A*AA
Essential subjects: History

The Department of History at the University of Cambridge is one of the largest and most renowned History departments in the world. You will be taught by academics who are active researchers. They publish books and scholarly articles, and write and speak regularly for the wider public and media. We also have access to excellent facilities including a variety of museums providing access to a wide range of sources.

What can I do with a degree in History?

The most popular three employment areas that Cambridge History graduates joined in recent years have been the law, as both barristers and solicitors, followed by teaching and then public service (especially the Civil Service). The history course will equip you with a range of useful transferable skills including the ability to evaluate evidence, present arguments clearly and work independently. Cambridge History graduates go on to work in a variety of sectors including journalism, broadcasting, teaching, research, finance, law, consultancy and public administration.

For more information, please visit the University Careers Service website.

What we look for

There is no such thing as an ‘identikit historian’ and so there is no simple answer to this question.

Apart from history, you do not need any particular subjects at A’ level. A foreign language is certainly useful but not necessary. However, you should enjoy making analytical judgements, be able to think laterally, discriminate critically, enjoy reading, and have a burning curiosity about the past.

Studying History at St Edmund’s College

Every year St Edmund’s admits a group of undergraduate students to the History, History and Politics, and History and Modern Languages degree programmes. We are also home to postgraduates studying for MPhils and PhDs in History and related subjects. Our Director of Studies can often be found in College. This means we have a thriving history community and you will have plenty of opportunities to discuss your studies in social settings around the College if you wish.

You are taught in a mix of college based small group supervisions and Faculty lectures and classes.

The college offers several spaces where you can study and work on your essays including the Paul Luzio Library building, the Norfolk library, study desks in the Mount Pleasant Halls Common room, the comfortable couches of the CR, in Edspresso, our café, or the benches in our lovely apple orchards!

We also have six study rooms (2 in the Luzio building, 2 in Norfolk building, and 1 in Mount Pleasant Halls), where college supervisions typically take place, and which can also be booked by students for their private study time or group projects.

Our college also has an extremely supportive Welfare and Wellbeing Department, which is happy to lend an ear and provide support should a student feel anxious or overwhelmed with the academic year.

How to Apply

Applications for all courses are made through UCAS. You must apply by 15 October 2025 to be considered for entry in October 2026.

Requirements

Written work

Admissions Assessment

All applicants for the History, History with Modern Languages, and History and Politics Triposes at St Edmund’s will be required to take an admissions test a week or so before their interview. Further information about this will be provided. You will be registered for the assessment by us if you are invited to interview; candidates do not need to register themselves.

Please note that your performance in the assessment at interview will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

Interviews

Deferred entry

Affiliated students

If you have already completed or are in the process of completing a first undergraduate degree, you can apply for this course as an affiliated student. This means that you will complete the course in two years instead of the standard three. (Please note that this does not mean that you can go directly into the second year of the course.)

To apply as an affiliate student, you need to have achieved or be on track to achieve a 2.1 or higher in your first undergraduate degree. International equivalents can be found on the University website.

What is a typical Term’s work?

Weekly one-hour supervisions taught in Colleges are the focal point of the academic week, providing personal supervision and the opportunity to debate with and learn from senior historians. They are usually taught one-on-one or in small groups. You will write essays or prepare other materials for these sessions, in which you will receive constructive feedback on your work and further guidance.

Alongside preparing for your weekly supervision, which remains the centrepiece of the Cambridge experience, you will attend a number of lectures each week. These are designed to give you clear introductions to historical events and processes, change over time, and historians’ changing interpretations of the past. Parts of the course are also taught through seminars where group discussion, small group work and presentations are encouraged.

People

Dr Oliver Coates, Director of Studies
Dr Simon Mitton, Life Fellow at St Edmund’s College and College Fellow, Department History and Philosophy of Science
Dr John F Mueller, Bye-Fellow