10 Best UK Universities For History 2025
Did you know that over 85% of history graduates from top UK universities secure jobs or further study within 15 months? Choosing where to study history matters; the right program shapes how you engage with the past, from analysing medieval plague records to debating global political shifts. The UK’s universities stand out for their access to rare archives, expert faculty, and courses spanning ancient civilisations to modern revolutions. However, with rankings shifting yearly and each institution offering unique strengths, selecting the best fit requires clarity.
This article simplifies your search. You’ll discover how universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and St Andrews differ in teaching styles, research focus, and graduate outcomes. Learn what makes LSE’s international history program distinct or why Durham’s interdisciplinary approach attracts global students. We’ll also compare entry requirements, student satisfaction rates, and career paths to help you make a confident choice. Whether you aim to specialise in Tudor politics or explore global economic shifts, find the best UK universities for history that align with your goals.
The Evolving Landscape of History Education
History education is constantly evolving, and the landscape has significantly changed in recent years. The old traditional methods of learning history, such as textbooks and lectures, have changed, and a more dynamic interactive method has taken their place.
In the traditional method, students are expected to sit in classrooms, listen to lectures, and note down important points. Textbooks and teachers’ lectures are the only resources for learning. But this has largely changed. Students are now taught in more dynamic and interactive ways using various resources.
The rise of technology and digital resources has significantly impacted history education. As a result, several resources are now used to teach history, such as primary sources, simulation and role-playing, and digital databases. Teachers and historians now have access to various sources, like photographs, videos, and audio recordings, that help them teach history more interactively.
Using these interactive digital resources, students can learn about the past and share it with people worldwide.
Overview of UK Universities’ Ranking Systems
Several university ranking systems will help you filter the best universities for history in UK. Students use many ranking systems to find the best universities worldwide in different disciplines, each with its own methodology. The most popular ranking systems in the UK include:
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- QS World University Ranking
- The Guardian University Guide
- The Complete University Guide
Every ranking system has its methodology and uses multiple factors to rank universities. The following are the common factors used by most ranking systems:
- Entry Standard
- Student Satisfaction
- Teaching Quality
- Research Quality
- Graduate Prospects
Top 10 Best UK Universities For History
1. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and constantly ranks among the top 3 universities in the world. According to the Complete University Guide 2025, Cambridge is the best UK university for history. It has 31 self-governing colleges and more than 20,000 students in total. The university offers over 50 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
Cambridge has one of the most respected History departments in the world. The department has over 50 world-renowned faculty members who teach various undergraduate and postgraduate courses from ancient to modern history.
The History department at Cambridge collaborates with other departments, such as archaeology and philosophy. Courses here are taught in the Cambridge system, a unique system in which students learn in small groups.
The department organises workshops and conferences where students can participate and learn from renowned historians.
2. University of Oxford
Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world and the most prestigious one. With over 25,000 students and more than 38 self-governing colleges, the university offers over 40 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.
The History Department of Oxford is among the world’s largest and most highly respected. It has more than 100 faculty members and staff. In addition to various undergraduate and postgraduate courses, it has a wide-ranging research interest, covering all periods of history in the world.
Students are privileged to study at the Oxford History Department, which takes an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to research and teaching. The department has many unique features, such as the Oxford tutorial and its research cultures.
Students have the opportunity to learn from the most renowned historians and academicians. The department also has many student societies where students can join and share their thoughts.
3. University College London (UCL)
University College London is one of the largest and most diverse universities in the UK, with over 40,000 students and more than 500 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. It is located in the heart of London and has its own museums, such as the UCL Institute of Archaeology, the Petrie Museums of Egyptian Archaeology, and the UCL Main Library.
The History Department of UCL is committed to providing high-quality education to students. It has more than 50 expert faculty members and several undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The UCL History Society is a unique society run by students that organises events for history students.
Students studying at UCL’s history department enjoy opportunities and enriching experiences. Its Global History Centre brings historians from all over the world to learn and research global history. Plus, the department arranges many extracurricular activities that students can attend.
4. King’s College London
Here we have another of the best universities in UK for history. King’s College London is a research-intensive public university in the UK and one of the best Russell Group universities for history. It offers more than 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses to over 31,000 students. The university is also home to several world-renowned institutes like the King’s Centre for Global Health and the King’s Centre for Law and Society.
The History Department of KCL has more than 60 faculty members and staff. Its curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of history in many topics, such as:
- World History
- Cultural history
- Ancient history
- Medieval history
- Intellectual history
- Environmental history
In addition to a world-class education, students of the KCL history department can take advantage of various opportunities, such as history-based institutions and societies. These enrich the students’ learning opportunities and leave them with outstanding experiences.
5. The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh constantly ranks among the top universities in the world. It is divided into four colleges with over 30,000 students and 10,000 staff. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various courses, but is particularly known for its History department.
The History Department at Edinburgh has over 50 academic staff and offers several undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It has a broad research interest in history, with particular strength in areas like early modern Europe, the history of the Middle East, and the history of science. This history department has many unique features, one of which is that it regularly hosts public lectures and events.
The Department of History at Edinburgh University has a vibrant and active student community with many opportunities to learn and grow. It provides students with world-class facilities, such as a rich library, archives, and digital resources. Plus, the department facilitates students’ work with and learning from world-renowned historians and academicians.
6. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a small university with a close-knit community of 5,000 students. It offers several undergraduate and postgraduate programs in social sciences, such as economics, politics, and history.
The Department of History at LSE has a long and distinguished history. Some of the most prominent historians of the 20th century, like Eric Hobsbawm, E.P. Thompson, and Gertrude Himmelfarb, have studied at LSE’s history department. There are about 28 faculty members in this department.
The LSE History department has many unique features that benefit students and create opportunities for them. Students get access to cutting-edge research projects. Plus, the department organises events and trips to historical places for history students, which allows them to expand their learning.
7. University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is one of the top universities in the UK and ranked 10th in the Complete University Guide 2023. It is a public university and was founded in 1965. In Coventry, England.
The History Department of Warwick is respected for its research profile. 92% of its research was rated as 4 stars and 3 stars in the 2021 REF. It has a large department of more than 60 academic, research, and teaching staff. Students can study in various undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering various periods and themes.
The History Department of Warwick students have access to state-of-the-art research and academic facilities. The university has one of the largest libraries in the UK, which is a great resource for history students.
8. University of Durham
Durham is among the top 100 universities in the world. It is divided into 8 academic faculties with over 17,000 students and 3,000 academic staff. The university has a beautiful campus with many historical buildings, such as Durham Cathedral and Castle.
The History Department of Durham has over 50 academic staff and offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It strongly focuses on interdisciplinary research, with its faculty members working in environmental history, gender history, and digital history.
Durham’s history department has a high standard of teaching and encourages students to participate in research projects and gain knowledge through fieldwork. The department is also unique and vibrant, with over 100 international students.
9. University of St Andrews
Here are another best universities for history UK. St Andrews is an old public university in Scotland. It is among the top universities in the world and is particularly known for its social science, history, and medicine programs.
Its history department is one of the largest in the UK, with many faculty members who regularly publish papers in leading academic journals and work on major research projects in history. Students of this department get the unique chance to work on these projects.
The expert faculty members of the St. Andrews History department always support students in their studies. They get many great opportunities that enhance their academic and personal experience, which they can apply to their professional and personal life.
10. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is the first provincial university in the UK and one of the largest and most comprehensive, with more than 40,000 students worldwide.
The Department of History at Manchester is well-respected in history and has a strong reputation for research intensity. It offers several undergraduate and postgraduate programs in history.
Manchester’s history department also has many institutions and research centres, such as the Centre for the Cultural History of War and the Institute for Social Change, which allow students to learn about history intensively.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a University for History
Here are the factors you must consider while choosing the best universities for history UK:
- Course content and specialisations: Make sure the university you are choosing offers the course content and specialisations in the history course you are interested in.
- Faculty expertise and reputation: The quality of faculty is crucial. So, make sure faculty members are well-reputed for their expertise.
- Resources available for research: You must consider. The more research resources available, the better for your learning.
- Alumni success and career prospects: Choose a university with a strong alumni network and excellent career prospects.
- Location and lifestyle: Be sure to consider the location and its lifestyle while choosing a university for history.
Other Notable UK Universities for History
Here are some other notable universities in the UK for studying History:
- University of Exeter
- University of Birmingham
- University of Suffolk
- University of Bristol
These universities also have strong history departments with expert faculty members and adequate resources for teaching and research.
Top 10 Best UK Universities For History 2025 Rankings
Here is a comparative table of UK universities ranked for History in 2025 by different ranking providers:
| University | Complete University Guide 2025 | The Guardian University Guide 2025 | The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| University of Oxford | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| University of St Andrews | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Imperial College London | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Durham University | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| University of Bath | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| University College London (UCL) | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| University of Warwick | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Loughborough University | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK universities rank highest for history degrees?
The University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and University College London (UCL) top 2025 rankings. Other leading schools include King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, and the London School of Economics (LSE).
How do ranking systems evaluate history programs?
Rankings like The Guardian and Complete University Guide assess entry standards, student satisfaction, teaching quality, research output, and graduate employment rates.
What teaching methods do UK history departments use?
Programs combine lectures with digital tools, primary sources, and role-playing simulations. Universities like Cambridge use small-group tutorials, while LSE offers field trips to historical sites.
Which universities have strong research resources for history students?
Oxford provides access to the Bodleian Libraries, Edinburgh offers archives and digital databases, and UCL has on-site museums like the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.
Does the university location matter for studying history?
Schools in cities like London (UCL, King’s College) or Edinburgh provide access to museums, archives, and cultural institutions. Rural campuses like Durham offer quieter study environments.
What career paths do history graduates pursue?
Alumni enter fields like research, teaching, journalism, and public policy. Universities like Warwick and Manchester highlight strong graduate employment rates in their departments.
Can international students apply for UK history programs?
Yes. Universities like St Andrews and Manchester host large international student communities. Check individual school websites for visa requirements and language qualifications.
What history specialisations do UK universities offer?
Options include European history, ancient history, and global history. King’s College London covers environmental history, while the University of Edinburgh focuses on Middle Eastern history.
How do UK history programs compare globally?
UK schools like Oxford and Cambridge consistently rank among the world’s best. Their faculty, resources, and alumni networks attract students worldwide.
What support do history students receive?
Departments host workshops, conferences, and student societies. UCL’s History Society organises events, while Durham offers research project opportunities.
Conclusion
The best UK universities for history, such as Cambridge, Oxford, and UCL, offer world-class programs with diverse specialisations, innovative teaching methods, and access to exceptional resources. These institutions prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and beyond, supported by strong faculty expertise and vibrant student communities. Choosing the right university depends on factors like course content, location, and research opportunities. Reflect on what you’ve learned about these top schools and their unique strengths. If you have experiences or questions about studying history in the UK, share them below. Your insights can help others make informed decisions about their academic journey.
