Future Careers with History
Armed with sharp critical thinking and communication skills, history graduates in the UK possess a versatile foundation that translates into a wide array of unexpected and rewarding professional paths.
History Teacher (Secondary, Further or Higher Education)
Summary: Delivering the history curriculum to students, preparing them for GCSE and A-Level examinations (such as guiding them through complex modules on Russian rulers or British industrial relations), and fostering a general passion for the past.
The Route: The most common path in the UK is completing a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at a university, or taking a school-led training route like School Direct or SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training). Both routes lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Heritage Manager or Museum Curator
Summary: These professionals manage historic buildings, monuments, and museum collections. The role often involves acquiring new items, preserving existing collections, and designing engaging, accessible exhibitions for the public.
The Route: This is a highly competitive sector. Graduates typically need to build extensive volunteer experience or secure entry-level paid internships in local museums or National Trust properties. Many successful candidates also complete a specialized Master’s degree (MA) in Museum Studies or Heritage Management.
Archivist or Records Manager
Summary: Archivists acquire, manage, and maintain documents and other materials that have historical significance. This can range from physical medieval manuscripts to modern digital corporate records.The Route: Entry generally requires a postgraduate qualification recognized by the Archives and Records Association (ARA). Before applying for these MA or diploma courses, you will almost certainly need to complete pre-course paid or volunteer work experience in an archive.
Educational Content Creator / EdTech Developer
Summary: Blending historical expertise with digital design to create learning resources. This can involve writing for history magazines, developing interactive educational apps, creating specialised branding for school departments, or designing structured classroom materials like retrieval competition templates.
The Route: There is no single formal qualification for this. The route relies heavily on building a strong digital portfolio. Graduates often start by creating resources independently, working for educational publishing houses, or joining EdTech startups as subject matter experts.
Journalist / Reporter
Summary: Investigating stories, interviewing sources, and writing articles for digital platforms, newspapers, or broadcasters. Historians are particularly good at providing context to modern events.
The Route: While you can enter journalism directly by building a strong portfolio, the standard professional route in the UK involves completing a qualification accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). This is often done as a fast-track diploma or a Master’s degree.
Editor or Publisher
Summary: Overseeing the production of written content. This could involve commissioning books, editing history magazines, or managing digital content platforms. The role requires a meticulous eye for detail and strong structural editing skills. The Route: This is heavily experience-based. Graduates usually start in entry-level administrative roles (like Editorial Assistant) within publishing houses or media companies and work their way up.
Public Relations (PR) Executive
Summary: Managing the reputation of a company, charity, or individual. PR involves writing press releases, handling media inquiries, and strategizing how to present information favorably to the public.
The Route: Entry is accessible for history graduates without further formal qualifications. Securing internships at PR agencies or working in communications roles for charities or university societies is the standard way to get a foot in the door.
Marketing / Brand Manager
Summary: Developing strategies to promote products or services. This can involve anything from analyzing market data to designing brand identities and managing digital campaigns.
The Route: Many companies offer graduate schemes in marketing that are open to any degree discipline. Alternatively, you can take an entry-level marketing assistant role and work towards professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
Accountant or Auditor
Summary: Examining financial records, ensuring compliance with the law, and advising businesses on financial strategy. The sheer volume of reading and data analysis required in a history degree prepares graduates well for auditing complex financial systems.
The Route: You do not need a math or finance degree. The major UK accountancy firms actively recruit humanities graduates onto their graduate schemes. Once hired, the firm will pay for you to complete your professional exams (such as the ACA or ACCA) over three years to become a chartered accountant.
Law (Solicitor or Barrister)
Summary: Providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in court. The ability of history graduates to construct evidence-based arguments makes law a very common career transition.
The Route: You do not need a law degree to become a lawyer in the UK. To become a solicitor, history graduates take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). To become a barrister, you must complete a conversion course—the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)—followed by the Bar Practice Course (BPC) and a pupillage.
Civil Service Fast Stream
Summary: Working within government departments to research, develop, and implement public policy. Roles can range from the Diplomatic Service to the Department for Education.
The Route: The Civil Service Fast Stream is an accelerated leadership development program open to graduates of any discipline who achieve at least a 2:2. The application process involves online tests, video interviews, and an intensive assessment centre focusing on behavioral competencies.
Policy Advisor / Think Tank Researcher
Summary: Researching specific social, economic, or foreign policy issues and producing reports that advise politicians or government departments on how to act.
The Route: Entry often requires a Master’s degree in a related field (like International Relations or Public Policy) combined with relevant work experience, often gained through interning for a Member of Parliament or working within a political party or NGO.
Intelligence Analyst (e.g., MI5, MI6, GCHQ)
Summary: Assessing highly sensitive information to identify threats to national security. The role involves connecting disparate pieces of data, understanding geopolitical contexts, and writing clear, objective briefing documents for government officials.
The Route: UK intelligence agencies actively recruit history graduates for their ability to synthesize vast amounts of information and spot patterns. Applications are direct and involve rigorous security vetting, aptitude tests, and specialized assessment centres.
Academic or Specialist Librarian
Summary: Managing university or specialist library collections, supporting students and academic researchers with complex literature searches, and curating academic resources. It goes far beyond checking out books; it is about high-level information architecture.
The Route: This typically requires an undergraduate degree followed by a Master’s (MA or MSc) in Library and Information Studies accredited by CILIP (The Library and Information Association). Candidates usually complete a year of paid library work experience (often as a Graduate Trainee) before applying for the Master’s.
Management Consultant
Summary: Advising organizations on how to improve their operational efficiency, solve complex structural problems, and navigate major changes. History graduates excel here because they are trained to quickly understand complex, unfamiliar scenarios and present logical solutions.
The Route: This is a highly competitive path. Major consulting firms hire humanities graduates via formal graduate schemes. The application process usually involves numerical and verbal reasoning tests, followed by intensive “case study” interviews where you must solve a hypothetical business problem on the spot.
Human Resources (HR) Officer
Summary: Managing employee relations, recruitment, training, and workplace policies. The ability to interpret complex employment regulations, handle sensitive information, and mediate disputes makes history graduates well-suited to HR.
The Route: Many graduates enter via corporate graduate schemes or take entry-level HR administrator roles. Career progression is almost always supported by studying part-time for professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Charity Campaigner or Bid Writer
Summary: Advocating for social change, lobbying policymakers, or writing detailed, persuasive grant proposals to secure funding from trusts and foundations for non-profit organizations. It requires the ability to build a highly persuasive, evidence-based narrative.
The Route: Formal postgraduate qualifications are rarely required. Entry relies heavily on demonstrable passion and experience, usually gained through volunteering, participating in student activism, or managing communications and budgets for university societies.
Local Government Officer
Summary: Managing and transforming public services at a council level, working on issues ranging from housing and community regeneration to environmental planning. History graduates excel at understanding community demographics, interpreting complex legislation, and managing large-scale projects.
The Route: The most direct path is the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), a highly regarded fast-track graduate scheme for local government in England and Wales. It welcomes graduates from any discipline who have achieved at least a 2:2.
Town Planner (Conservation Specialism)
Summary: Shaping the way towns and cities develop. History graduates are particularly well-suited to conservation planning, which involves protecting historic buildings, advising on listed building consents, and ensuring new architecture respects the historical character of an area.
The Route: You will need to complete a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited Master’s degree. Many local authorities or private planning consultancies offer graduate planner roles where they will sponsor you to study for this MA part-time while you work.
Genealogist or Probate Researcher (Heir Hunter)
Summary: Tracing family trees for private clients or locating unknown beneficiaries for unclaimed estates. It involves meticulous detective work, diving into historical census data, parish registers, and historical wills.
The Route: Many genealogists are self-taught and operate as freelancers. Alternatively, you can seek entry-level research roles at established probate research firms. Professional accreditation, such as joining the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA), is usually achieved after building a portfolio of practical experience.
Recruitment Consultant or Headhunter
Summary: Acting as an intermediary between companies looking to hire and candidates seeking jobs. It requires excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to rapidly research and understand different corporate industries, and the persuasive communication skills honed in a history degree to negotiate offers.
The Route: This is a highly accessible entry-level corporate role. Recruitment firms actively target humanities graduates for their communication skills and resilience. Training is provided entirely on the job, and progression is based on performance and targets rather than further academic qualifications.
