History at UCC provides an exciting exploration of the past, tracing historical developments from medieval times to the present with special reference to their European, Irish and North American contexts. The course can be taken as part of the BA or the BA International.

Join us - explore the past, understand the present and shape the future. Study and interpret the past and you will discover evidence, solve problems and gain fresh perspectives. Our world is a product of historical forces. We specialise in Irish, European, American, Asian and World History including International Relations and European Studies. You can choose from a variety of specialist options ranging in time from the pre-Viking period to the present; in place from Europe to Asia and the Americas; and in theme from economic development and international relations to ideologies, cultures, social structures, politics and religion.

You will learn the basic skills of a historian and have access to a broad choice of specialist studies, as well as gaining a range of sought-after transferable skills and attributes.

You will learn about various types of history – social and economic history, modern diplomacy, political ideologies, the history of law, art, religion, women, government, business and much else besides.

The History course is taken over three years. History can be taken as a single honours degree, as joint honours or as a major or minor option in conjunction with other subjects. You can choose the credit weighting that suits your interests and learning objectives.

Skills and Careers Information

UCC history graduates have a good employment record and many have been successful in both the public and private sectors, at home and abroad.

As you will acquire an enquiring mind, strong compositional skills, and attention to detail, a wide variety of careers are obtainable, for example: Education, Research and Teaching, Heritage Management and Tourism, Publishing and Editorial, Public Service, Journalism/Media, Public Relations, Libraries, Archives and Museums, Academic, Management/Consultancy, European Union, International Agencies.

In general, our graduates and postgraduates develop the adaptability and flexibility of mind necessary to survive and prosper in today’s challenging world with global employment opportunities.

We aim to develop a range of skills and attributes beyond those exclusively associated with history including:

• writing and communication skills
• research, investigation and argument construction
• presentation and software skills
• personal attributes including flexibility, adaptability, initiative, motivation
• self-management
• time-management and meeting deadlines
• project management
• team-work
• problem-solving
• ICT skills
• information management
• citation skills