The History Faculty at Oxford is one of the largest and most prestigious in the world, with more than 150 teaching staff within an overall community of around 1500 historians. This intellectual variety allows us to offer undergraduates studying for a BA in History more than 100 different options, giving students a large amount of freedom to choose their own areas of study. Students who enjoy the challenge of connecting disciplines, can study history as a Joint Honours, with one of five other subjects: ancient history, economics, English, modern languages, or politics.
The History Faculty is very large, but learning is tailored to each individual. All students receive personalised tutorial teaching throughout their degree, allowing the choice of topics to be tailored to individual interests, and providing a model of reading, writing, feedback, and discussion that is intellectually challenging and intensely rewarding. History at Oxford is a subject of energetic debate: debate between tutors and students, debate between students, and debate between tutors!
Oxford tutors are also active researchers, with many being leading authorities in their areas. Many historians are attracted to Oxford because of the wealth of archival material in the libraries and museums, which are also available to undergraduate students. The History Faculty Library is housed in the Radcliffe Camera, one of Oxford’s most iconic buildings.
At Oxford, we are committed to ensuring that the most talented and motivated historians join the History Faculty each year, regardless of background. The pages in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the History website should answer many of the questions you have about applying to, and studying at Oxford, but please do come to one of the University Open Days, where you can talk to staff and students. If you can’t make it to an open day, or find the answer to your question in these pages, please email undergraduate.admissions@history.ox.ac.uk.
