What can you do with a history degree?

Your studies will provide a broad range of skills that are valuable to employers, including: 

Studying history at the University of Plymouth will open a wide range of career choices. You could consider using your passion and interest in history to work within the education sector as a secondary school teacher, further education teacher or higher education lecturer. You could also use your historical knowledge to engage with the public through archives, museums, galleries, heritage and the media in order enhance their understanding of the past. Since understanding the past can illuminate the present, you could also consider using your skills to work in health, policy and government. Indeed, some history students consider graduate schemes such as The Local Government Graduate Development Programme or the Civil Service Fast Stream.

Along with working in heritage there are a range of opportunities within the growing creative and cultural industries. These include media related roles, such as working for the BBC as a researcher or being a broadcast journalist. 

Many history students use their high level analytical and problem-solving skills to pursue a career within law and the criminal justice system. 

You could also consider a less obvious path such as search engine optimisation (SEO), user experience design (UX), content marketing or a role within the business, banking and finance sector.

Since specific career paths may be less obvious it is important to use your research skills to explore the range of opportunities and to consider your personal interests, motivations, values and strengths. 

Given the diversity of career options open to history graduates, it is important to research and explore these fully so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

The following websites provide helpful information on options with a history degree:

Teaching:

General history links:

Locally in Plymouth there are many opportunities to get involved with such as:

Below is a snapshot of what Plymouth history graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these roles served as stepping-stones by providing relevant work experience.

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2018/19 – 2020/21. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Some of the careers chosen by history graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest to history graduates:

Discover our History degrees 

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your individual situation.

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer, as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options.

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access 24/7 online resources.

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service; however, they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn alumni’s tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest. 

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops. 

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out some career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career. 

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members can develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion. 

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to history or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests. 

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.