Why study History at Manchester?
At a glance
- Study at a University ranked in the UK top-10 for History (QS World University Rankings 2026).
- Be part of a global powerhouse of research excellence and research innovation: our students study with some of the world’s most renowned experts.
- Explore internationally significant institutions across the campus and in Manchester, such as the Manchester Museum and John Rylands Library.
- Get help with your academic writing from a professional writer.
Video: Thinking of doing History at Manchester?
Frequently asked study questions
With a totally revised curriculum of a truly unmatched global and chronological breadth, you will study the most cutting-edge ways of doing history.
You’ll explore diverse geographical areas, including British, European, American, Asian, and African history, while engaging with cutting-edge themes such as:
- Political and economic history
- Social and cultural history
- Gender and identity studies
- Colonial and postcolonial history
At The University of Manchester, you will be taught by world-leading historians who are passionate about delivering research-led teaching using innovative, forward-thinking methods.
Our students will experience transformative, outstanding teaching with unique hands-on learning opportunities and benefit from our strong partnerships with exceptional institutions and the media.
History programmes at Manchester are designed to give you flexibility, depth, and real-world expertise.
We offer you a space to grow, to experiment, to experience, to be original, to become the best version of yourself.
- Gain hands-on experience in classes taught at the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre, Chetham’s Library, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Museum, the People’s History Museum, the Whitworth, and the Working Class Movement Library.
- Experience a broad variety of material culture history classes that include remaking experiments, laboratory and exhibition visits, and museum handling sessions.
- Enhance your learning via work placements, the chance to study abroad, along with language learning opportunities.
- Experience a unique blend of traditional assessments like essays or exams and novel, creative types of assessments like policy briefs, remaking experiments, exhibitions proposals, quizzes, or public history presentations.
- Benefit from large-cohort lectures in big halls, medium- to small-sized seminars spanning from one to three hours, to one-to-one supervisions and individual contact hours, as well as supervised, independent learning – we do it all!
- Learn in a supportive environment that nurtures the strengths of every single student, helping you to excel. For example, benefit from our Royal Literary Fellow’s unique writing and presentation support.
We understand that writing essays for a History degree can feel challenging, so we offer free support from a professional writer.
This year, you can get help from multi-award-winning novelist and short story writer M. J. Hyland as a Royal Literary Fund Fellow.
Whether you’re having an essay crisis, need help planning your dissertation, or you’d simply like someone to cast an objective eye over a section of your latest work, book an appointment by emailing M.J. at mj.hyland@rlfeducation.org.uk.
Confidential and independent one-on-one sessions with your Royal Literary Fund Fellow are available to all UK-based Department of History students and staff.
You can get help with:
- Planning essays and dissertations
- Improving your writing style
- Editing and structuring your work
- Understanding referencing and academic skills
What to expect:
- One-to-one sessions (50 minutes)
- Personalised advice
- Friendly and confidential support
When?
Mondays & Wednesdays from 10.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m.