When I started sixth form, I wanted to study law; however, I soon realised that history was what fascinated me. Writing my personal statement, I realised how much of my everyday life revolved around my love for history, the books I read, and the television that I watched. This blog is for those wanting to study history at university, what it can offer you, and why it was the best choice I made.
Why did I choose History at Durham?
I had always loved history at school, and my History A-level gave me a glimpse into what it would be like to study it at a more comprehensive level. At university, history is more than just dates and events; you learn to understand the challenges around studying it. The course at Durham is so varied, and it is structured in a way which means you have to interact with different periods and topics that you may not have come across otherwise.
How is studying History at university different?
One of the biggest differences between studying history at school and at university is the level of independence you have over your own studies. My contact hours (either in a lecture or a seminar) range from four to eight hours a week. This means that the rest of the time is for completing the weekly readings and perhaps starting on coursework. While this amount of unstructured time was unusual at first, it teaches you the importance of scheduling your day and managing both your academic and enrichment activities.
Why do I love the course at Durham?
When I was looking at universities, I remember looking at module lists to see the kind of topics that they offered. Although these can change each year, for Durham, I saw that the modules seemed to expand beyond familiar areas and sometimes into the theories behind the historiography. I remember in first year one of my modules made us think about how and why we separate the past into different time periods, and this more theoretical approach was something I had not encountered before.
Another reason why I love the course at Durham is the sense of community within the department. The seminar groups are small, usually around twelve people, and this means that you soon get to know people well. The lecturers are so passionate about their subjects, making the teaching engaging, and are more than happy to help you during their office hours or over email.
Durham itself also appealed to me. I’m from a small countryside town and knew that I did not want to live in a big city. Durham is perfect; it’s not too big and has such a lovely, safe feeling to it.
What opportunities have I had?
Studying History in Durham is special because there is so much history located all around. Many lectures have mentioned the local history, from the Cathedral to the Beamish Museum. Being able to study history in such a place can definitely feel surreal at times! Choosing to study history at Durham was the best choice that I could have made. It’s a degree that teaches you so much about the past, the present, and also yourself.
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