History

Our aims in the History Department are two-fold: to help our candidates to achieve the best possible results commensurate with their abilities, and beyond that to develop and encourage a deeper awareness and understanding of British and European society, politics and culture. History is a subject that demands reading and thought, but it can also be stimulating, challenging, puzzling, and (last but not least) enjoyable.

History is more than an examination subject, however. Within the course, we encourage our students to relate their work to contemporary issues: a knowledge of History is very valuable for providing the context and background to modem-day events. In addition, History provides an unrivalled training in the analysis, organisation and communication of information - - all important skills in the world beyond the lecture theatre and the classroom.

At A Level, History combines well with other Arts subjects, particularly English, Modem Languages and Geography, but it can also be a useful adjunct to Business Studies and the Sciences. At university level, History is one of the most popular Arts subjects, and a History degree is a key that opens many doors. Historians, for example, figure prominently in the media, the legal profession, the civil service and virtually every branch of commerce, banking and industry. The mental training which the subject provides is second to none, and is in demand in all walks of life. History is emphatically not just a body of facts about the past: it is far more useful and valuable than that!