Program Overview

At Bristol you will become part of our community of historians. As well as reading history, you will do history through a mix of broad survey units, specialist option units, and independent research projects. As a large department we are able to offer a broad-ranging and diverse curriculum. With a large number of optional units at every level, we encourage our students to find and pursue their own passions. Original research inspires all our teaching and the degree programme culminates with students producing a substantial final-year dissertation on a topic of their choice.

Across your degree you will be introduced to major themes in medieval, early modern and modern history. Our department includes historians of Britain and Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and even Antarctica. Small-group seminars are embedded at every stage of the degree to encourage deep analysis and debate around key sources, themes, and questions. Students will also attend lectures, workshops, and tutorials, where they can draw upon the rich expertise of our academic staff.

In recent years, first year optional topics have included:

Whether you are interested in cultural history or political history, the very recent past or the pre-modern world, you will be able to explore the topics that inspire you and fire your imagination.