Best British Universities for History
Thinking of applying for History at university? The UK boasts some of the best History degrees in the world – with outstanding teaching departments, extensive library resources, and fascinating courses.
But what are the very best British universities for History? In this guide we’ll explore the top-ranked courses in the UK, breaking down the top five to cover the university, course, and entry requirements.
History University Rankings in the UK
To help us explore the best History degrees in Britain, we’ve explored two major UK university rankings: the Complete University Guide (CUG) and Guardian.
Both of these publications use a mix of metrics (including satisfaction with teaching, student to staff ratio, and spend per student) to arrive at an overall ranking for individual subject areas. As there are discrepancies in the metrics used and how each publication collects data, there are differences (sometimes significant ones) in the ranking a university achieves in one league table vs another.
However, taken with a pinch of salt, they are still useful indicators of the overall quality of a degree. In the table below, we’ve listed the top ten universities for History in the UK by their average position in the CUG and Guardian league tables.
| University | CUG | Guardian | Overall rank |
| Oxford | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Cambridge | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| St Andrews | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Durham | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| LSE | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| UCL | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Warwick | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| York | 9 | 14 | 8 |
| Bristol | 12 | 19 | 9 |
| Leeds | 14 | 18 | 10 |
We can see that Oxford and Cambridge come in first and second as the best UK unis for History – each achieving first place in one of the league tables. The top five is rounded out by St Andrews, LSE, and UCL. The remainder of the top ten are all high-ranking Russell Group universities.
Now, let’s break down the very best History degrees in a bit more detail.
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Best British Universities for History
University of Oxford
Oxford is without doubt one of the best universities for History in the UK. It comes second in the CUG ranking and first in the Guardian’s to top our overall table.
University overview
Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the world, with a history dating back nearly a millennium. Today, it is considered among the best universities in the UK and the world. It is known for its collegiate system and small-group teaching in tutorials.
Course overview
Oxford’s History course is known for its extensive chronological and geographical range, covering topics from the late Roman Empire to the present and including global regions such as the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Students are encouraged to take interdisciplinary approaches, supported by a faculty strong in intellectual and cultural history and world-leading research. Oxford’s exceptional library resources, including the Bodleian and Weston Libraries, further enhance the academic experience.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAA
IB: 38, including 666 at HL
Admissions test: None
Written work: one piece required
University of Cambridge
Cambridge is ranked first for History in the UK by the CUG and third by the Guardian.
University overview
Like Oxford, Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. It is divided into 31 colleges with most undergraduate teaching taking place in small-group supervisions.
Course overview
History at Cambridge offers a broad and flexible course, allowing students to explore a wide range of topics and historical approaches while engaging with disciplines like politics, anthropology, and economics. The course features specialist papers, astonishingly varied source materials (from contemporary adverts to medieval plague records), and opportunities to study a foreign language. Students benefit from world-class teaching by active researchers and access to outstanding facilities, including the Seeley Collection, Cambridge University Library, and university museums.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA
IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Admissions test: some colleges run their own test
Written work: two pieces required
St Andrews University
St Andrews comes in third place in our ranking of the best British universities for History. It places third in the CUG table and second in the Guardian’s.
University overview
St Andrews is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities. It is often considered the best non-Russell Group university in the UK, and one of the best in the country as a whole. It is located in the small town of St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland.
Course overview
The History course at St Andrews offers broad chronological and interdisciplinary study, with students required to take additional subjects such as English or Anthropology in their first two years. The course develops analytical skills through engagement with primary and secondary sources, culminating in a specialist research project in the final year. Graduates leave with a wide-ranging understanding of history across time periods and cultures, supported by the course’s flexible modular system. Note that, because it is a Scottish university, St Andrews’ History degree is a 4-year course with students working towards an MA (Hons).
Entry requirements
A level: AAA
IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6)
Admissions test: none
Written work: none
Durham University
Durham ranks highly in both the CUG and Guardian league tables, earning it a place as one of the best UK universities for History.
University overview
Durham is a collegiate university, like Oxford and Cambridge, located in the north east of England. It is commonly considered one of the best Russell Group universities, especially in humanities.
Course overview
Durham’s History degree offers a wide chronological and geographical scope, encouraging exploration of themes from environmental history to visual cultures and gender. The course builds progressively from foundational study in Year 1 to independent research in Year 3, culminating in a dissertation on a self-chosen topic. Students also benefit from a rich programme of seminars and guest lectures.
Entry requirements
A Level: A*AA
IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6)
Admissions test: none
Written work: none
London School of Economics (LSE)
University overview
The London School of Economics is a social sciences-focused university located in London. A member of the prestigious G5 group, it is usually ranked among the best universities in the UK.
Course overview
The History degree at LSE offers a distinctive international outlook and covers the 15th century to the present. It is noteworthy for its focus on political, economic, social and cultural developments as well as high statecraft. Students can choose from a wide range of global history courses and interdisciplinary options, including language study, while developing strong analytical and communication skills.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAA
IB: 38 (HL 7,6,6)
Admissions test: none
Written work: none
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Conclusion
If you’re passionate about studying History at university, the UK offers some of the most respected and intellectually stimulating programmes in the world. Whether you’re drawn to the global perspective at LSE, the deep academic tradition at Oxford and Cambridge, or the flexible, interdisciplinary approach at St Andrews and Durham, there’s a top-tier option to suit a wide range of academic interests.
While rankings can offer helpful guidance, the best choice ultimately depends on your personal academic goals, preferred course structure, and learning environment. We recommend you carefully research a wide range of courses to understand which suits you best. For expert, personal advice, you can work with our university admissions consultants. They have supported countless History applicants and can optimise your chances of acceptance to the best-fit university for you.
FAQs
The top universities in the UK for History include the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, Durham University, and the London School of Economics (LSE). These institutions consistently rank highly for teaching quality, research strength, and student satisfaction in History.
University rankings for History are typically based on factors like student satisfaction, academic reputation, research output, teaching quality, and graduate outcomes. The Complete University Guide and The Guardian are two of the most widely used UK league tables for subject-specific rankings.
Both Oxford and Cambridge offer world-class History degrees with exceptional teaching, resources, and academic traditions. Oxford is known for its wide chronological and geographical range, while Cambridge offers strong interdisciplinary opportunities. Choosing between Oxford and Cambridge will depend on your personal preferences for the course and city.
Although all UK universities offer a range of global history modules, the London School of Economics (LSE) stands out for its international perspective. It focuses on global political, cultural, and economic developments.
Yes, the University of St Andrews is an excellent example. Although not part of the Russell Group, it is frequently ranked among the top three UK universities for History, thanks to its academic strength, flexible course structure, and strong student satisfaction.
Entry requirements for the best History courses in the UK typically range from AAA to A*AA at A level (or 38-42 points in IB). Some universities also request written work or conduct admissions assessments, particularly Oxford and Cambridge.