History with Foundation Year

History is a subject for anyone with a sense of curiosity and a desire for a deeper understanding of the world around them.

• Choose our foundation year route if you want to strengthen your knowledge and skills before you progress to stage one of the BA (Hons) History degree
• History at Derby has been ranked 1st for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2025
• Explore the broad sweep of British, European and global history from the Renaissance to the twentieth century
• Undertake fieldwork at historical locations ranging from country houses to industrial cities
• Share your passion for the past by organising and marketing a high-profile public history conference
• Benefit from the support of a dedicated and enthusiastic teaching team who are published experts in their field
• Develop an impressive set of critical, theoretical and transferable skills which will give you a real advantage in securing a graduate career.

History has the power to make us question who we are, how we have come to act the way we do, and the experiences that have shaped people’s lives in the past. Studying History will turn you into a critical thinker, ready to challenge received wisdoms.

This course provides you with a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge you need and introduces you to the subject of history, enabling you to achieve your full honours degree in four years.

A deep sense of perspective

With particular emphasis on modern and contemporary history, this course is academically rigorous, intellectually stimulating and politically relevant.  As well as covering broad historical themes, you will explore a wide range of specific topics - everything from the Enlightenment, Totalitarianism, the history of the body, and the British Country House.

You will also explore the history of non-European societies, with modules spanning the history of China, India, the Cold War and the impact of European imperial rule.

Explore history outside the classroom

As Derbyshire is the ideal location to study history - with its rich industrial past and thriving heritage industry, including a UNESCO World Heritage site, we offer study visits and fieldtrips to bring your learning to life. You will explore the practical and intellectual applications of history in museums, art galleries, country houses, parks and heritage sites.

We also work with external partners so you can put your knowledge to practical use by undertaking research projects that will be used by history and heritage organisations.

Real world learning

You will use your research and creative skills to interpret the past for the benefit of the wider community. We provide exciting opportunities for projects involving international arts and heritage organisations. Among recent initiatives, our students have worked with Derby Museums in thinking about the communication of the past to a wider public.

You will also inspire others by organising and marketing a public conference and presenting your research to a wider audience. Topics explored at previous conferences have included the experience of British prisoners-of-war during the First World War, the misreporting of the death of Karl Marx, and the emergence of a new French national identity following the revolution.

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

During your foundation year you will be assessed mainly by coursework, and with some in-class tests.

For the rest of your degree you are assessed on 100% coursework: there are no exams. Assessment incorporates different formats including essays, document analysis, the examination of material culture and the built environment, book reviews, projects, website design, posters and exhibitions, oral presentations and debating skills.

Who will you meet

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts. They include:

• Prof Paul Elliott- Paul is an expert in eighteenth and nineteenth-century British history and has published several books on the history of science and medicine, as well as on environmental and landscape history.
• Dr Cath Feely- Cath is an expert in the social, cultural and intellectual history of nineteenth and twentieth-century Britain.
• Dr Oliver Godsmark – Oliver’s expertise is in late colonial and early postcolonial India, and the histories of the British South Asian diaspora
• Dr Ruth Larsen- Ruth is an expert on British social and cultural history, focusing in particular on gender history and the country house. 
• Dr Kathleen McIlvenna – Kathleen teaches British History and heritage studies, and has special interests in nineteenth-century British social and economic history
• Prof Keith McLay – Keith is the PVC/Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities & Education and is a historian with particular interest in early modern military history
• Dr Tom Neuhaus- Tom teaches international history, focusing on relations between Europe and Asia in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
• Prof Ian Whitehead- Ian is an expert on twentieth-century British history, with a particular focus on the First World War

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Skills for success

At Derby you will gain attributes beyond those traditionally associated with History graduates. You will not only build your academic capabilities but also apply your historical knowledge to the workplace. We encourage you to develop skills in areas such as presentation and teamworking, which will help you stand out in the job market.

You can approach your future career with confidence: latest Unistats figures show that 95% of our students were in work or further study six months after completing their course.

Wide-ranging career opportunities

With a History degree you can follow a wide range of careers in the education profession, libraries, museums, archives, law, the civil service, management, marketing and the uniformed services. Recent graduates have, for instance, taken up professional roles in local government, in Human Resource roles for major national businesses, and in project consultancy roles in global companies.

A growing number of our graduates also use their degree as a platform for rewarding postgraduate study in subjects such as History, Museum Studies, Archive Management and International Relations. These include our own postgraduate programmes in History and in Public History and Heritage.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• History BA (Hons)