Past Present: The Top Ten Best Universities in the UK for History
- Originally published
- Last updated on August 20th, 2024 at 02:15 pm
Table of Contents
League tables only tell part of the story. We asked students: what are the best universities in the UK for history? Unique programs? Ruins? Museums? We looked at facilities, the number and diveristy of of programs available, and their flexibility. We questioned whether there was ancient history as well as medieval history and modern history. Is British history and world history available? What about economics and political science? And ok, we looked at the league tables. We also asked humans how they felt about studying in the programs.
Along the way, we realized that academic power is important for some people, but it’s not the only way to measure a successful history program.
And it’s definitely not what students think about while they’re pursuing an undergraduate degree.
If they set out to study history, most students want smart and kind professors, amazing opportunities to pursue further study or careers in their actual field, and an atmosphere full of historical flavor.
From roaming ghosts in the corridors to storied monuments outside your window to dead kings in nearby parking lots — there’s a lot of history underfoot near the UK’s universities waiting to be savored by appreciative undergrads. Here are our top ten picks for the top ten best universities in the UK to jump into the world of the past.
Methodology
If we only cared about league tables, it’d be pretty easy to put together this list. Just check the Guardian’s rankings and head to Oxford, Cambridge, or St. Andrews.
We asked students to tell us the best (and worst) things about their programs and then combined responses with league scores and special traits that make universities stand out. There are no real scores here — just A+ champions and hidden gems, in no particular order.
#1 University of Cambridge
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: Fewer lectures but lots of hands-on theory with tutors that divide students into small groups and help hone their academic chops. Don’t like small seminars? Maybe you’ll love even smaller seminars.
Unique Traits: A tree grown from a shoot from the original apple tree Isaac Newton once sat under while contemplating gravity still grows at Trinity College Cambridge.
Haunted History: Both Christ’s College and Corpus Christi College are said to be haunted by Cambridge’s past residents.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): 2nd in the UK, behind Oxford
Attending the university of Byron, Virginia Woolf, and the Bloomsbury Group can make you feel like you’re already walking in history’s footsteps. For classicists, the Museum of Classical Archaeology provides a wealth of casts of ancient Greek and Roman treasures, including Laocoön and His Sons and the Charioteer of Delphi. While impressive, the museum is dwarfed by Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, which houses over a million pieces from antiquity to the modern era. If you have a penchant for history’s art and artefacts, you can browse every afternoon for free while you study under the professors and museum experts charged with preserving them. That’s perfection for many would-be historians.
Who’s it for? Cambridge is among the top universities in the world. It’s for stellar students. But it’s also best for students looking for more flexibility in their programs than many other 3-year English universities offer. The tripos system lets students expand their studies into related areas of social science.
What students say:
Look up every now and then and try to rediscover your passion for the subject. Cambridge is incredibly intense, and in some ways, you arrive starstruck and then you spend three more years struggling to keep up. It can drain you. You can forget why you’re here and ignore all the unique things you can only get in Cambridge.
#2 Durham University
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: With a brand new MA in Global History, Durham is a growing program and boasts multiple eras and geographies, offering students more breadth than many programs. The program also has lots of partnerships, lectures, and thoughtful crossover with current events across the social sciences, from climate change to reproductive freedom.
Unique Traits: Couple history with English literature, a focus on early medieval, ancient, and modern history, or modern languages with a year abroad.
Haunted History: Don’t mind the former students who continue their residence in Durham’s castle. One former student, distraught over having failed exams, threw himself out of the tower to his death.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): 4th in the UK
The university itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and some of its students even live within the thick stone walls of its medieval castle, dating from the 11th century. Castle rooms aren’t as medieval as you’d think, but the basement bar offers up all the ambiance history geeks could want. And the town itself practically screams “history” for students who are happy to curl up in this cozy bend in the River Wear and stay for three years (Newcastle? Who needs to go there!). This cathedral town and its prestigious colleges don’t have the name-power of those of Oxford or Cambridge, but they do have students who say they’re totally satisfied with their lecturers and adore this sleeper hit.
Who’s it for? Academically-minded medievalists who don’t need big-city lights or nightlife, but do want to conduct their class reading in between trips to St. Cuthbert’s grave.
What students say:
The history department is in the center of Durham, so you’re right in these narrow cobblestone alleyways close to Durham Cathedral. It’s easy to feel like you’re a part of this ancient university, even though it’s not technically true.
#3 University of Nottingham
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: Hit up this stomping ground of Robin Hood for expertise in medieval history and a fair diversity of other geographies, eras, and subjects. There’s even an American history department. Joint programs are plentiful. Combine history with American studies, archaeology, politics, Chinese studies, and more. There are also lots of. modern language combo options.
Unique Traits: We love a school that hypes its field trips. Seriously, this is something that’s lacking from US college experience. Go to Nottingham and you can visit museums, company archives, and archaeological sites across England.
Haunted History: Nearby 16th-century Wollaton Hall sports tall, imposing spires and its own ghostly lady who tries to choke the living who come to tour the park-like estate. In town, find the Haunted Museum for a collection of historical artifacts from the creepier side of life, like a Victorian hearse.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): 19th in the UK
The university has an archaeological museum housing both internship opportunities and artifacts focusing on the history of Nottinghamshire. If you’re interested in Classics, you may be particularly impressed by the local collection from Roman times and the option to study either classics or classical civilization (and some joint options, to boot). In the history department itself, you can study eras from 500CE to the 20th century. If those aren’t enough options for you, consider a liberal arts BA, where you can nosh on classical Greek mythology, but also American literature of the 19th century, television production, and critical approaches to Shakespeare.
Who’s it for? Students looking for breadth! From Europe to Latin America and Russia, you’ll find it. Don’t want to abandon literature or politics? Nottingham gives its students a grounding in multiple areas, so you can use more than one lens to assess the past.
What students say:
I was looking for a kind of unique combination and Nottingham’s program really impressed me. In the end, it stood out and I was happy I was able to find my little world here.
#4 Royal Holloway University of London
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: RHUL offers a small campus with all the resources of the expansive U of London universities (and the city’s museums) on your doorstep. Graduates often research in central London locations.
Unique Traits: Archival sources focus on the experience of women in higher education and the creation of women’s colleges like Royal Holloway (it’s coeducational now). And the National Archives are housed nearby at Kew Gardens, just a few train stops away (and with its own historical merit).
Haunted History: Let the gentlemanly campus cat into the historic Founder’s Hall for the night and always wonder if he really is the founder, Thomas Holloway, who is said to creep the grounds in his feline form.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): #28 in the UK
Royal Holloway is one of the strongest history departments in the UK, and backs it up with a campus gushing with historical inspiration. First-years can nosh on different historical eras, but really dig into a single era later in their studies. Therefore, students tell us it’s a good department for students who haven’t yet settled on an area. Once they do, there’s lots of freedom to build degree modules around your own interests. And if there’s a historical itch you can’t scratch in any of your classes, you can always contribute an essay to the student history society’s magazine.
Who’s it for? Future political leaders will benefit from tons of modules on leaders from “despots and mullahs,” “dragon ladies,” “holy warriors,” and she-wolves.” Want to know how societies rise and fall? This is your program.
What students say:
I think many students, myself included, choose Royal Holloway because of its setting. It’s a beautiful university where you really get a close-knit experience in a picturesque village but benefit from the association with other Universities in London.
#5 University of York
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: Roman, Saxon, or Viking fan? You’ve come to the right town.
Unique Traits: A combination degree with art history, and tons of study abroad opportunity with modern languages (French, German, Italian, and Spanish).
Haunted History: Plague houses, a dungeon, witch hangings…it’s all here. Even the cathedral in York has its own ghost stories.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): #9 in the UK
York is one of the top universities in England. That probably comes easily to a department with just under 50 staff, and one of the biggest research footprints in the country. That means students here have plenty of options to individualize their degrees, taking on different specializations and finding they’re not at any professional and personal disadvantage compared to their classmates.
Churchy types will find the nearby Borthwick Institute for Archives to be one of the best sources of Church history in Yorkshire. Students who want all the tools of a big program with none of the drawbacks of huge, anonymous lectures can rest assured: York’s teaching includes far more small-group discussion than other programs.
Who’s it for? European or British historians, and those interested in the area’s medieval and Viking history. Students who love small seminars but aren’t ready to commit to the pressure of Oxford and Cambridge-style programs.
What students say:
The town is beautiful, and while the campus isn’t a part of the city, it can be an advantage to be studying in such an inspirational place. I never want to leave!
#6 University of St Andrews
Program Highlights: Sure, they dress like handmaidens, but it’s all part of their heritage. This ancient university appeals to students who want no distractions and total immersion in a historical atmosphere and their studies. Besides, it’s the only uni on the list where you can do an entire program on Scottish History (or Middle East Studies!).
Unique Traits: Because St. Andrews is in Scotland, degrees take 4 full years. That’s fairly helpful in terms of their generous study abroad options. Students can spend year 3 in 5 different history-specific programs elsewhere in Europe. They can also choose to head further afield with university-wide study-abroad partnerships.
Haunted History: Glimpse ruins in the “haunted town” of St. Andrews from your classroom. But head to the pinnacle of St. Andrews’ paranormal activity at the St. Andrews Cathedral. Resting atop the bones of St. Andrew, you’ll find the memory of a murdered monk pacing a spiral staircase, a luminous “White Lady” reading a book, and an ominous-sounding “Chamber of Corpses.”
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): #3 in the UK
Scotland’s first university, St. Andrews comes with a long academic tradition and mighty reputation despite its fun-sized student body. What you’ll necessarily lose in module (course) choice, you’ll make up for in intimate coziness, which itself cultivates the kind of camaraderie that spurs deep discussions over late-night drinks, barroom battles over the accuracy of historical facts, and accountability buddies that can help you get by.
St. Andrews offers archaeology, ancient history, classics, and political science for those students looking for common history pairings. And the entire university is focused on humanities and social sciences, with few forays into computer science, divinity, math, marine biology, and earth sciences. That means a lot of expertise in areas that gel with history, and because the Scottish systems allows for more wiggle room in years 1 and 2, students can craft their university experience more broadly (in terms of discipline) than any other school on this list. Take that, giant universities.
Who’s it for? Students who can thrive amidst dark, cold castle ruins and little to do but study and gaze forlornly at the sea.
What students say:
St. Andrews has an incredibly long trodden path with US students, and I felt comfortable there as it was very international. The history modules I did were outstanding and the quality of lecturers and tutors was very high.
#7 University of Oxford
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: Want like 800,000 different libraries all for you? Oxford’s the place. This research God offers students almost too many resources, so you better get reading. And don’t miss all the special presentations from famous lecturers.
Unique Traits: A giant staff of 140 researchers, all pumping out the world’s leading historical research.
Haunted History: Oxford’s own history lends itself to whistful reverence from historians everywhere. And of course, it lets a few ghosts seep into the campus’ mythology. Oxford claims some of the world’s most notable ghosts, including King Charles I of England, once beheaded in London, now hanging in the same reading room where you’re trying to get your essay finished. His Archbishop of Canterbury is also kicking it in the library, where he can be seen kicking his own head around.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): #1 in the UK
The stereotype that Oxford favours the political while Cambridge favours the sciences feels a little true when browsing Oxford’s history programs. Joint majors are sparse, leaning toward modern history, politics, and economics. Sure, you can pair Oxford history with English, but maybe they’re just throwing you a bone. Courses (called modules) here are more rigid in comparison, but you’ll find some decent choice options within required courses.
You might enjoy the Museum of Natural History, which is especially interesting to those interested in pre-history, and includes the oldest skeleton found in the UK. The Ashmolean Museum is where you’ll find more modern artifacts (and ideas for your next paper, with exhibitions that explore inspirational topics like how Victorian women influenced color technology). Don’t forget to grab some of the museum’s collection, ready for import into your Animal Crossing game.
Who’s it for? Traditionalists with broad historical interests, ready to immerse themselves in a tried-and-true curriculum, who love the vibrancy of the city of Oxford.
What students say:
The workload is overwhelming. There are definitely days when I ask why I did this, but I wanted to grow in ways I knew I would with this degree, with very small tutorials, and lots of guidance. And I remind myself that I do have the support and guidance to get through it.
#8 London School of Economics & Political Science
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: The London School of Economics and Political Science history program relies heavily on international history and is premised on understanding history in context, in the sense that inter-country relations shape histories even within a country area.
Unique Traits: Looking to study ancient Mesopotamia? Greece? Medieval England? LSE isn’t your bag. While it’s a prestigious university, its vibe, from its program to its course options and even its buildings, is geared toward modern history. LSE is catnip for students interested in the political and economic events that have shaped the current landscape.
Haunted History: A newly built campus can’t contain the ghosts of London’s past buried beneath it and all around this Westminster neighborhood. But the campus itself? It’s almost eerily devoid of ghost sitings.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): #5 in the UK
An odd duck in the “best in history” tables, LSE is a powerhouse for modern wonks, and its history department focuses on modern history from the 15th century onward. That helps students situate current political climates in crisis and heed lessons in governing everything from financial systems to modern governments with an eye to the past and across continents. The upshot is that this global university offers specializations in various non-British cultures, from Latin America to the Islamic world.
However, LSE’s program does little to inspire students who think of history as bacchanalian romps through mythological fields, Viking architecture, or Byronic sonnets. For politicos who want to travel back in time, the nearby John Soames Museum lets them imagine what life was like in Regency London (as an eccentric collector and maximalist architect).
Who’s it for? Future ambassadors who want to take advantage of the university’s top academic record and see an undergrad degree as a prime line on their CVs for grad school or a future election run. Career-oriented historians looking for more career options and a lifetime of access to the university’s career service will also benefit from LSE’s mindful focus on applied history.
What students say:
LSE is incredibly international. I wanted the London experience while I applied to economics programs elsewhere. LSE was really special in adding all the international history, especially the history of economic growth, colonialism, and empire building that made it feel right.
#9 University College London
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: Students told us London was one of the brightest beacons that drew them to UCL: a vibrant campus in the heart of London, it just happens to be among the best UK universities in history.
Unique Traits: It’s a campus. It’s a city. It’s for smarties. It’s for rich kids. UCL is full of contradictions, but that’s what makes it a melting pot. What can every UCL history student count on? A global university in a global city.
Haunted History: It all starts with the “auto-icon” and skeletal remains of philosopher and university founder Jeremy Bentham. You’ll also find the ghost of murdered med student Emma Louise in the Cruciform Building (try calling her name three times).
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): 7th in the UK
In Viking Studies, you’ll spend your third year in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden. You’ll need modern Scandinavian languages to hone your craft on the ground in the northern stomping grounds of these historical seafarers. The course includes Old Norse literature and medieval history, so you’ll get a 360-degree view.
Stick closer to home for some insight from professors with firsthand experience digging up Britain’s greatest historical finds. One is the first-ever Elizabethan playhouse, unearthed during construction in Whitechapel. On campus, enjoy the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology and, of course, everything London’s museums have to offer.
Who’s it for? Students who want to handle artifacts and work with archival materials from the very beginning, and students who want to choose from a broad range of historical periods and peoples.
What students say:
You have a lot of freedom to explore and combine your interests with a lot of support from tutors.
#10 University of Warwick
Guide / Ranking
Program Highlights: Countryside Coventry offers the space for these research goliaths to spread their wings, offer students a campus university, high satisfaction, and a broad range of specialities.
Unique Traits: In England, a university’s lengthy history is often key to its prestige. Not so Warwick. Instead, this place is a top-flight research giant on a modern campus, catering to students who want a storied faculty without the pomp of those other unis.
Haunted History: Cryfield student residence hall was built on the grounds of an old prison. You can imagine how that went.
UK History League Table Ranking (from the Guardian 2024): 6th in the UK
Warwick is a modern, campus-based university with tons of green spaces and a sheer breadth and size that other universities can’t match. At Warwick, you can take intriguing courses on madness, medicine, food‚ narcotrafficking, hip hop—even sex and the US military.
While not housed within the Department of History, the History of Art program also shines, with students taking to the canals of Venice for 10 weeks during their second year. History students can decide whether to pursue the Venice stream or a modern stream, choosing modules most aligned with their own interests.
Who’s it for? Students who want a respected program without a superhuman grind.
What students say:
I chose Warwick for the student community. There’s a tight-knit feeling on campus and a good student life, where there are plenty of places to go out. But there aren’t the distractions of a city to get in the way of your studies.
Honorable Mention for your Upcoming Master’s Degree: St. Mary’s Twickenham
Punching above its weight in the league tables at #37 overall in the UK for history, St. Mary’s also boasts a master’s program in literature, culture, and heritage that’ll have dark academicians scrambling for spots in its program. Taught in the famed Strawberry Hill House, the inspiration for some of the first Gothic novels, you’ll explore landscape and setting, narrative, and how we make meaning in our culture. You can also dive into the Gothic book club or movie nights.
Who’s it for? This unique history program also has courses on Catholicism, empire, and place, so if you’re interested in the meaning we make from historical narratives like these, you’ll find your people at St. Mary’s.
The Best UK University for History? It’s Where You Can Connect to the Past
A history degree isn’t a static piece of paper. It’s a connection to the past, proof that you weathered those late nights in the library, watching the ghosts of students past play soccer with their ghostly heads, all the while keeping your eyes on the prize and your head grounded in your future career prospects.
You may as well enjoy some of it.
After all, some students may thrive with a giant modern library full of Warwick professors, all buzzing around doing world-class research. Others may prefer the quiet historical inspiration of a medieval town like York, pushing them to appreciate their reading and lectures, understand the world they’re in, and dive deeper into the past. It all depends on you.
So before you choose, make sure to take ambiance, academics, and, of course, ghostly residents into account before making that final decision.
And if you’re still not sure, check out the basics of going to college in the UK first, including England’s best universities for international students and what they look like on a map.
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Jessica Share
Jessica is the writer, Ph.D., and mom-of-an-abroad-student-in-the-UK at the helm of College Abroad Guides. When she's not asking college students where the coolest place to hang out in their city is, she's figuring out how she can make $60 imported Greek oregano potato chips and £50 British bacon potato chips appear on her doorstep for the cost of a local bag of Lay's.
