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Studying the past helps us to understand how the society we live in came to be, and to appreciate differences between cultures and between individuals. You’ll learn what history is, why it is important and how we study it. You can study specialist history courses and interdisciplinary ones, where art, literature, music, philosophy and science are seen in their historical context.

Your studies can also be the basis of a rewarding career. History graduates enter almost every type of organisation – industry and commerce, retail, finance and law – and a high proportion of them rise to the top of their profession.

Degrees

  • History
    Explore a diversity of people, places and periods, including the impacts of empires on world history, twentieth-century dictators, history of medicine, and global heritage.
  • Humanities
    This degree allows you to combine modules on different aspects of the arts – what people thought, made and practised – and their meaning and values in the past and today.
  • Humanities with History
    This degree allows you to combine modules on different aspects of the arts – what people thought, made and practised – and their meaning and values in the past and today.
  • Open degree
    The BA/BSc Open Degree is a qualification that gives you a huge choice in terms of subjects and modules that you study to make up your degree.

Diplomas of Higher Education

Certificates of Higher Education

Not sure if you’re ready? Try a short introductory Openings course

If you would like to try Open University study before you commit to a qualification, our Openings courses could be the right place for you to start. These introductory-level courses have been specially designed to help you find out what it’s like to study with the OU, get a taste of a subject area, develop your study skills, and build your confidence. There is also financial support available for these courses. Read more about our Openings courses.

Study a module as a standalone course

You can study a single module on its own for personal interest or to improve your career prospects. See the list of all our individual courses in History.

Our 2012 Guides to OU Study are out now!
Everything you need to know about the OU and an introduction to our degree courses.

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