History
Hands on, minds on – students learning about Aotearoa New Zealand history at the Macmillan Brown Library with Art Collections Curator, Lydia Baxendell. Artwork credit: John Cleveley, View of Charlotte Sound in New Zealand in the South Seas, 1778, Aquatint engraving, UC/MBL/0394, UC Art Collection.
Qualifications
Overview
History is more than the study of the past; it is a living creative act. History explores past events in order to inform us about who we are and what is happening today. History gives us our cultural roots. It helps us understand ourselves, our neighbours, our nation, other cultures, and the world, enabling us to become truly global citizens. We learn a lot from history, and this knowledge helps us to avoid the mistakes of the past and make better decisions for the future, just as we learn from our own experiences.
Studying History supplies students with the skills to analyse complex evidence, present evidence-based arguments, and put things in perspective. Such skills developed from studying History can be applied in many careers, as well as to all walks of life.
History is a big subject, at the very heart of the humanities. Everything has a history, and every history can be challenged by a fresh mind. Some types of history and historical evidence are also part of the social sciences, such as Political Science and International Relations, and Sociology, and Law (which is a form of 'applied history'). The study of languages and literature is enhanced by knowing about their cultural and historical contexts. Historians, too, often use techniques and results from other disciplines. History is a supremely interdisciplinary subject.
- The History Department at UC has received a James Cook Research Fellowship, two Marsden Fund research awards, and an early career researcher award in recent years.
- Our Arts Internships programme champions work-based experience, enabling History students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world situations and further their career goals.
History has no formal prerequisites. However, a good level of English literacy and writing skills and a willingness to read widely and think hard about problems in the past, are expected.
UC offers a major and a minor in History as part of the Bachelor of Arts.
You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
History major
To complete a major in History within the Bachelor of Arts, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
200-level
- Three 200-level HIST courses
300-level
Courses from Classics in Ancient History or Māori and Indigenous Studies in Aotearoa New Zealand History may also be included in the major up to 60 points, including up to 30 points at 300-level.
History minor
For the History minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:
- 75 points in 100 to 300-level HIST courses, with at least 45 points at 200-level or above
History graduates leave university with a distinctive mix of skills which are useful in almost any job involving discovery, analysis, interpretation, independent thought, and communication. Studying History allows you to practise making balanced and impartial judgements, considering multiple perspectives and materials.
The Department of History places great importance on training students in research, writing, digital skills, and oral presentation. These are the general skills employers most want.
History graduates enjoy a wide variety of career destinations including those in the media (such as journalism and broadcasting), government, Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi affairs, international relations, arts, culture, heritage, archives, politics, public policy, writing, editing, PR, communications, conservation, tourism, teaching, community development, digital industry, publishing, design, business innovation, and advertising or marketing.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in History.
Contact us
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
5th Floor, Karl Popper building – see campus maps
Postal address
College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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