Discipline · Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Study History abroad.
Compare history degrees at leading universities in the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, Australia and Europe, and see how a history degree leads to careers in heritage, archives, teaching, policy, law and media.
Updated October 2026 · Indicative data for international students
At a glance
History abroad: the quick answer.
When you study history abroad, you learn to analyse evidence, interpret the past and write persuasive arguments, skills used in heritage, archives, teaching, law, policy and media. The UK, USA, Ireland and Canada host world-leading history departments with unique archives, and many master’s graduates move into archives, museums or civil service. Salaries vary by career path, typically GBP 24K–30K or USD 42K–55K to start.
- Bachelor’s duration
- 3 years (UK) to 4 years (US, Scotland, Ireland)
- Master’s duration
- 1 year (UK, IE) to 2 years (US, Canada, EU)
- Top study destinations
- UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, Netherlands
- Average graduate salary
- GBP 24K–30K (UK); USD 42K–55K (US)
- Key bodies
- RHS, AHA, ARA, Museums Association, SAA
- Best for
- Avid readers who enjoy research and writing
About the programme
What is History?
Students who study history abroad gain more than knowledge of the past. History degrees train you to read primary sources critically, weigh conflicting evidence, build arguments and write clearly, all highly transferable skills. Programmes range from ancient and medieval to modern, global, economic, social and public history, with options in archives, digital humanities and oral history. Many courses let you specialise in the history of the region where you study.
Location matters because archives do. Studying British imperial history in London, Irish history in Dublin, American history in Washington or Boston, or European history in Berlin or Leiden gives direct access to primary sources and specialist libraries. Countries also differ in structure: UK and Irish degrees are specialised, while US and Canadian bachelor’s programmes are broader liberal arts degrees.
Careers are varied rather than linear. Graduates enter heritage, archives and museums, teaching, civil service, law conversion, journalism, research and policy roles. Postgraduate study is often needed for archive, curatorial and academic careers.
What you will study
- Historiography & Historical Methods
- Early Modern World History
- Modern European History
- Empire, Colonialism & Decolonisation
- Global & Transnational History
- Primary Source Analysis & Archival Research
- Public History & Heritage
- Dissertation / Independent Research Project
Types of courses
Types of courses to study History abroad.
From short diplomas to doctoral research, here is how History qualifications are structured across major study destinations.
Diploma / Certificate
Foundation programmes, short courses and graduate certificates in heritage, archives or genealogy introduce history skills or provide a pathway into a degree.
Bachelor’s degree
BA History or joint honours with politics, English, economics or international relations, combining broad survey modules with specialist seminars and a dissertation.
Master’s degree
MA or MSc History, MPhil, or specialised master’s in global, medieval, economic or public history, often as preparation for a PhD or heritage career.
PhD / Research degree
Doctoral research for academic and senior research careers; US and Canadian PhDs are typically funded with stipends, as are many European doctoral positions.
Professional certifications
Archives and records management master’s (ARA, SAA standards), museum studies, PGCE or teacher education for history teaching, and Certified Archivist (US) credentials.
Accreditation & recognition
History accreditation and professional bodies.
History degrees are not licensed, so value comes from university reputation, research strength and professional follow-on routes. If you study history abroad intending to work in archives, museums or teaching, check whether the follow-on master’s or teacher-training course is recognised by ARA, the Museums Association, SAA or the local teacher-registration authority, as these control entry to those careers.
| Body / accreditation | Where it counts | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Historical Society (RHS) | United Kingdom | The UK’s leading society for historians, supporting research, early-career historians and standards in history teaching and scholarship. |
| American Historical Association (AHA) | United States | The largest professional organisation for historians, setting guidance for history education, careers beyond academia and professional conduct. |
| Archives and Records Association (ARA) | UK and Ireland | Accredits postgraduate archives and records management courses and offers professional registration for archivists and records managers. |
| Museums Association | United Kingdom | Supports museum professionals with the AMA professional development scheme, a respected credential for curators and heritage staff. |
| Society of American Archivists (SAA) | United States | Sets graduate education guidelines for archival studies; the related Academy of Certified Archivists awards the Certified Archivist credential. |
| Canadian Historical Association | Canada | Represents historians in Canada, supporting research, teaching and public history careers across universities, museums and government. |
Current trends
What is shaping History right now.
- Digital history and humanities: Digitised archives, text mining, GIS and data visualisation are transforming research, making digital skills a major advantage for those who study history abroad.
- Public history and heritage growth: Museums, heritage sites and cultural tourism, including new institutions in the Gulf, are hiring for curation, interpretation and community engagement.
- Decolonising curricula: Universities and museums are re-examining empire, slavery and Indigenous histories, opening research, curatorial and education roles focused on contested pasts.
- Tight academic job market: Permanent lecturer posts remain scarce, so many history PhDs now plan alternative careers in policy, archives, publishing and consulting from the start.
- Records and information management: Data protection and digital preservation needs are increasing demand for records managers and digital archivists in government, business and universities.
Programme options
Best History courses to study abroad.
The most widely offered and highly ranked bachelor’s and master’s specialisations in History, with a short note on what each one focuses on.
Top bachelor’s degrees
BA (Hons) History
Core single-honours history degree
BA History & Politics
Political history and contemporary affairs
BA Ancient History
Greece, Rome and the ancient world
BA History & International Relations
Diplomacy, war and global order
BA Economic & Social History
Markets, labour and social change
BA History & English
Literature and its historical context
BA History (US liberal arts)
History major within broad curriculum
BA History & Archaeology
Material evidence and fieldwork
BA History of Art
Art, visual culture and museums
BA Liberal Arts (History)
Interdisciplinary humanities with history focus
Top master’s degrees
MA History
Research-led taught master’s
MSc / MA International History
LSE and other diplomacy-focused programmes
MPhil History (Cambridge / Oxford)
Research master’s for PhD pathway
MA Global History
English-taught, FU and HU Berlin
MA Public History
Heritage, media and community history
MA Medieval Studies
Languages, manuscripts and medieval cultures
MA Archives & Records Management
Professional archivist qualification
MA Museum Studies
Curation, collections and exhibitions
MSc Economic History
Quantitative history, e.g. LSE
MA Digital Humanities
Data methods for historical research
Where to study
Best countries to study History abroad.
North America, the UK and Ireland, Schengen Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and the GCC each offer a different mix of programme strength, cost, work rights and industry access for History students.
United Kingdom
Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, KCL, UCL, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Durham offer world-ranked history departments, with The National Archives and British Library on hand and one-year MAs.
Best for: Elite departments and one-year master’s
United States
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley and Chicago lead in history research; funded PhDs and the Library of Congress and National Archives make it ideal for academic careers.
Best for: Funded PhDs and academic research
Canada
Toronto, McGill, UBC and Queen’s offer strong history programmes, with research on Indigenous, North American and global history and PGWP rights after graduation.
Best for: Research degrees with PGWP and PR options
Australia
Melbourne, ANU, Sydney, Monash and UQ teach Australian, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific history, with public history links to national museums and archives in Canberra.
Best for: Asia-Pacific and Indigenous history
Germany
Humboldt, FU Berlin, Heidelberg and LMU Munich offer low-tuition study, including the English-taught MA Global History in Berlin, with rich European archives.
Best for: European and global history at low cost
Ireland
Trinity College Dublin, UCD, UCC, Maynooth and University of Galway offer one-year MAs and access to Irish, British and diaspora archives, plus EU mobility.
Best for: Irish, British and European history
New Zealand
Auckland, Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and Canterbury offer small classes in Pacific, Māori and imperial history, linked to national heritage institutions.
Best for: Pacific and Māori history
Singapore
NUS and NTU history departments focus on Southeast Asian and global history, with Singapore’s national archives and museums offering strong regional research resources.
Best for: Southeast Asian and maritime history
United Arab Emirates
NYU Abu Dhabi and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi offer history and heritage-related degrees close to the Saadiyat Cultural District’s museums, including Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Best for: Museums, heritage and Gulf cultural sector
Netherlands
Leiden, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Groningen offer English-taught history MAs, with Leiden’s colonial and global history strengths and archives of the Dutch East India Company.
Best for: Colonial and global maritime history
Jobs after graduation
Best countries to get a History job after your course.
Ranked on graduate demand, salary, post-study work rights and long-term residency options for international students.
- 1
United Kingdom
The largest heritage, archives and museum sector in the English-speaking world, plus civil service, publishing and law conversion routes popular with history graduates.
Pathway: Graduate Route, then Skilled Worker (salary thresholds apply)
- 2
Canada
Federal and provincial governments, archives, museums and education employ history graduates, and PGWP allows time to build experience towards PR.
Pathway: PGWP, then Express Entry or provincial programmes
- 3
Australia
Public sector, heritage consultancies and teaching offer roles, with secondary teachers in demand for those adding an accredited teaching qualification.
Pathway: 485 visa; teaching route via AITSL assessment
- 4
United States
Large museum, archives, publishing and university sectors, with the National Park Service, historical societies and federal agencies as employers.
Pathway: OPT, then H-1B lottery; federal jobs require citizenship
- 5
Ireland
Heritage, education, publishing and civil service roles, plus tech and policy employers in Dublin that value research and writing skills.
Pathway: Stamp 1G, then General Employment Permit
- 6
United Arab Emirates
New museums, heritage authorities and cultural foundations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah hire curators, researchers and education staff.
Pathway: Employer-sponsored visa
Average pay scale
History salary by country.
Indicative annual gross salaries for History graduates in local currency (K = thousand, M = million), with the post-study work rights available to international students.
| Country | Currency | Entry level (0–2 yrs) | Mid-career (3–7 yrs) | Senior (8+ yrs) | Post-study work rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | USD | 42–55K | 58–80K | 85–120K | OPT 12 months (+24 months for STEM degrees) |
| Canada | CAD | 48–60K | 62–80K | 85–115K | PGWP up to 3 years |
| United Kingdom | GBP | 24–30K | 32–42K | 45–65K | Graduate Route 2 years (18 months for applications from 2027) |
| Ireland | EUR | 30–38K | 42–55K | 60–85K | Stamp 1G: 1 year (bachelor’s) / 2 years (master’s) |
| Germany | EUR | 40–48K | 50–62K | 65–85K | 18-month job-seeker residence permit |
| Netherlands | EUR | 34–42K | 44–58K | 60–80K | Orientation year (zoekjaar) 12 months |
| France | EUR | 26–33K | 35–46K | 50–70K | 1-year post-study residence permit (master’s) |
| Australia | AUD | 65–80K | 85–105K | 110–145K | Temporary Graduate visa (485) 2–3 years |
| New Zealand | NZD | 52–62K | 65–85K | 90–115K | Post-study work visa up to 3 years |
| Singapore | SGD | 40–52K | 58–80K | 85–130K | 1-year job-search pass, then Employment Pass |
| Japan | JPY | 3.2–4.2M | 4.5–6.0M | 6.5–9.0M | Up to 1 year job-seeking status, then work visa |
| Malaysia | MYR | 30–45K | 50–78K | 84–144K | Employer-sponsored Employment Pass |
| UAE | AED | 96–144K | 156–240K | 264–420K | Employer-sponsored visa; Golden Visa for top graduates |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR | 96–144K | 156–240K | 264–420K | Employer-sponsored work visa (iqama) |
Salary ranges are indicative for 2025–26 and vary by employer, city, qualification and experience. UAE and Saudi Arabia salaries are generally tax-free. Visa rules change often, so always confirm with official government sources.
Official post-study work information: USA (Study in the States) · UK Graduate visa · Canada PGWP · Australia subclass 485 · Ireland Stamp 1G · Germany (Make it in Germany) · New Zealand Immigration
Careers & salaries
Top jobs after a History degree.
The most common career paths, what each role involves, indicative USD-equivalent pay in strong markets, and where demand is highest.
| Role | What you do | Salary (USD equiv.) | Top hiring countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archivist / Records Manager | Preserves and manages historical and organisational records | 45–90K | UK, Canada, USA |
| Museum Curator | Researches collections and creates exhibitions | 45–100K | UK, USA, UAE |
| Heritage Consultant | Assesses historic sites for planning and conservation | 45–90K | UK, Australia, Ireland |
| History Teacher | Teaches history in secondary schools after teacher training | 45–90K | Australia, Canada, UAE |
| Policy / Research Analyst | Researches issues for government, think tanks or NGOs | 50–100K | UK, Canada, USA |
| Journalist / Editor | Writes and edits news, features and history publishing | 40–90K | UK, USA, Ireland |
| Lecturer / Academic Historian | Teaches and researches at universities, usually after a PhD | 60–130K | USA, UK, Netherlands |
| Digital Archivist / Humanities Specialist | Digitises collections and builds research databases | 50–95K | USA, Netherlands, Canada |
USD figures are approximate conversions for comparison only. Always check current market rates before making career decisions.
The next decade
Scope of History over the next 10 years.
What the structural shifts in the field mean for graduates entering it now.
- Skills over job titles: Graduates who study history abroad will continue to find that research, writing and analysis open doors in policy, law, communications and consulting, not just in heritage.
- Heritage sector investment: New museums and cultural tourism, particularly in the Gulf and Asia, plus anniversaries and restitution debates, will sustain curatorial and research roles.
- Digital preservation demand: Born-digital records, data laws and AI training data needs will increase demand for archivists and information professionals with technical skills.
- Academic jobs stay competitive: University posts will remain scarce, so planning a mixed career with teaching, public history or policy experience is the safest strategy.
Frequently asked
FAQs: study History abroad.
Which country is best to study history abroad?
The UK is the top choice to study history abroad, with world-leading departments at Oxford, Cambridge, LSE and Edinburgh, vast archives and one-year master’s degrees. The USA is best for funded PhDs and academic careers, Ireland offers one-year MAs in an EU country, and Germany and the Netherlands offer low-cost, English-taught global history programmes.
Which country has the best jobs and PR options for history graduates?
Canada and Australia offer the clearest PR routes, especially if you add a teaching qualification or move into public-sector policy roles. The UK has the largest heritage and archives sector but requires Skilled Worker sponsorship with salary thresholds. The UAE’s growing museum sector offers tax-free roles for experienced curators without permanent residence.
Is a history degree worth it?
Yes, if you plan your next step. History builds research, writing and argument skills prized in law, civil service, journalism, policy and consulting. Direct history jobs such as curator or archivist are competitive and usually need a master’s. Combining history with a professional qualification, such as teaching, archives or a law conversion, makes the degree much more valuable.
How much do history graduates earn abroad?
Earnings depend on career path. Graduates typically start around GBP 24K–30K in the UK, USD 42K–55K in the USA and AUD 65K–80K in Australia. Archivists and curators earn mid-level salaries of USD 58K–80K, while history graduates who move into law, policy or consulting can earn considerably more over time.
What are the entry requirements to study history abroad?
Bachelor’s programmes require strong high school grades, especially in history, English or other essay-based subjects, plus IELTS 6.5–7.0. Top UK universities may set admissions tests or ask for written work. Master’s degrees need a bachelor’s in history or humanities with around 60%+ and IELTS 7.0. Maths is not required, though economic history uses statistics.
Will AI replace historians?
No. AI can transcribe handwriting, translate and search digitised archives, which speeds up research. It cannot reliably judge sources, interpret context or construct original arguments, and it often produces false historical claims. Historians who use AI tools critically, alongside digital methods, will be more productive and better placed for archives, research and digital humanities roles.
Can I become a history teacher abroad after studying history?
Yes, but you need a teaching qualification recognised in that country, such as a PGCE with QTS in England, a Master of Teaching in Australia, or a Bachelor of Education in Canada. You then register with the local teaching authority. History teachers are in steady demand in Australia, Canada and international schools in the UAE.
Keep exploring
Related subjects and destinations.
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