Department of History

The History Department at Durham has established itself firmly as one of the top departments in the UK. Staff and students are part of a vibrant learning community, set within the magnificent location of Durham’s World Heritage Site.

Welcome to the Department of History

Welcome to the Department of History. We are a successful, expanding department, engaged in teaching and research across an exceptional range of chronological, geographical and thematic areas.

Find out more about us

4th The Complete University Guide 2025

6th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

95% of students find the course intellectually stimulating (National Student Survey 2024)

5th Guardian University Guide 2025

Ranked among the world's best

In 2025, Durham University has achieved its strongest ever performance in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject, with a record 21 subjects ranked among the world's top 100, up from 19 last year. History is ranked 36th out of 231 departments worldwide.

Read more about our undergraduate degree programmes

Study with Us

Learn more about our degree programmes using the links below

Undergraduate study

Our Department offers modules that range from the local to the global. We teach everything from the history of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria to the making of modern Africa.

Students sitting round a table with laptops

Postgraduate study

The History Department is deeply committed to postgraduate education, and has a strong and dedicated postgraduate community made up of MA and PhD students.

Outside view of brick building which houses History Department

Look at our latest video

Rachel Johnson is Assistant Professor at the Department of History at Durham University. Her main research interest lies in the modern history of South Africa, in particular on the involvement of young people in the anti-apartheid movements from the mid-1970s onwards.

See related videos

Department News

Reporting from Humour as Political Coping Mechanism conference

Twenty-six academic papers, all devoted to exploring the political uses of humour were presented in the conference showing how humour can be used as a deeply human form of resistance.

Research news
New Book Release on Voice, Silence, and Gender

Congratulations to Rachel E. Johnson, who has just published her book Voice, Silence and Gender in South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Struggle: The Shadow of a Young Woman.

Research news
History Department involved in the IMEMS Inventing Futures research programme

History department is leading one of the three Inventing Futures research programmes funded by a generous alumni donation for the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS).

Research news

Reporting from Humour as Political Coping Mechanism conference

Twenty-six academic papers, all devoted to exploring the political uses of humour were presented in the conference showing how humour can be used as a deeply human form of resistance.

Research news

Conference exploring political uses of humour

New Book Release on Voice, Silence, and Gender

Congratulations to Rachel E. Johnson, who has just published her book Voice, Silence and Gender in South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Struggle: The Shadow of a Young Woman.

Research news

A monochrome book cover with the image of a young black woman laughing.

History Department involved in the IMEMS Inventing Futures research programme

History department is leading one of the three Inventing Futures research programmes funded by a generous alumni donation for the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS).

Research news

More news

Find out more

Diversity and inclusion

Find out more about our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
Job opportunities

See current job opportunities.

Diversity and inclusion

Find out more about our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.

Job opportunities

See current job opportunities.

Students sat round a table engaging in a seminar

Our research

Find out more about our research.
Alumni

Find out more about our alumni community.

Our research

Find out more about our research.

A close up shot of an open historic text

Alumni

Find out more about our alumni community.

Our location

The History Department at Durham has established itself firmly as one of the top departments in the UK.

Staff and students are part of a vibrant learning community, set within the magnificent location of Durham’s World Heritage Site.

Find out where we are

Wall mural behind a staircase in the Department of History

Student blogs

Hear from our history students at Durham University.

Highlights

My Supported Progression journey

History student, Liv tells us about the Supported Progression Programme and the opportunities it has created for her at Durham.
24 hours in the life of a 2nd year History student

Find out what it's like being a History student at Durham.