Best universities for History
Built only from official government data.
You may not agree with this order. We present the data as we find it, and we say plainly how much we think each measure is worth. Every weight is published, every figure is sourced and dated, and where we cannot prove something we leave it blank rather than fill it in. Complete transparency is the whole claim — disagree with the weighting, and you can see exactly what you are disagreeing with.
Tier 1 — strongest for this subject
On our measures these are the strongest places in our catalogue to study this. They are listed alphabetically: the differences between them are smaller than the uncertainty in the data.
Tier 2
Strong, and separated from Tier 1 by more than the margin of error.
Tier 3
Solid, with a measurable gap to the tiers above.
Tier 4
Further back on the measures we use.
Universities inside a tier are listed alphabetically, and there is no order within a tier — the differences are smaller than the data can carry, so publishing one would be inventing it. Open any university, or several at once, for the published figures behind it: earnings, satisfaction, research and the rest, on the same rows every time so they can be read side by side.
Courses we hold that are not in this table
None of these is a judgement on the course. A university marked not in this table at all is missing for one of the reasons below and for no other reason — never because it scored badly.
History and a Modern Language — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History, Politics & International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Welsh and History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern European Languages and History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History & International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Political Economy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BSc International History — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
BSc International Relations & History — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern and Contemporary History — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
History (Central and East European) and Jewish Studies — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics of the Americas — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History, Politics and Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Ancient History BA — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
History and History of Art — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
History and Philosophy — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
History and Theology — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History with Innovation — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA History & Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA History & Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Architectural History and Heritage — HESA classifies this as architecture, building and planning, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Celtic and Scottish History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Scandinavian Studies and History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History & Visual Culture and English — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Visual Culture and Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Business — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Ancient History MA (Hons) — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Celtic Civilisation MA — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Celtic Civilistion/History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Celtic Studies/History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Celtic Studies/Scottish History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Central & East European Studies/Economic & Social History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Central & East European Studies/History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Central & East European Studies/Scottish History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/Business & Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History with Quantitative Methods — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/Celtic Studies — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/English Literature — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/French — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/German — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic and Social History and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/Social & Public Policy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Economic & Social History/Sociology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Gaelic/History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Gaelic/Scottish History — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Business and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Italian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Russian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Scottish Literature — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History/Sociology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Scottish History/Scottish Literature — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Scottish History/Spanish — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Sociology BA — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA American Studies — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA Modern History with Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and English Literature — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and American Studies — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Sociology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA American Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Art History and Visual Culture and English — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA History & Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA History & Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA History & English — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA History & Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
History and Beginners' Czech (with Slovak) — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Beginners' Italian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Beginners' Modern Greek — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Beginners' Portuguese — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and French — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Czech (with Slovak) — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Greek — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and German — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Italian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Russian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Portuguese — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Spanish — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Languages & Cultures — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Languages — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Modern Languages (One Language) — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
MA International Relations & Modern History — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Comparative Literature — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and English — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and French — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and German — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Hebrew — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Italian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Middle East Studies — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Russian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Art History and Spanish — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Mediaeval History and Middle East Studies — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Mediaeval History and Persian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Mediaeval History and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Mediaeval History and Russian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Mediaeval History and Spanish — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Mediaeval History with Persian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Medieval History and Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History and Persian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History and Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History and Russian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History and Spanish — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern History with Persian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Scottish History and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Scottish History and Spanish — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History of Art with Italian BA — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Italian BA — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Politics BA — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Sociology BA — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA History & Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and French — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and German — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Italian — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
History and Spanish — HESA classifies this as language and area studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
A university missing from every list above is not ranked last — it is not ranked. Either we do not list it, or it has no History course in the official data at all. An absence means "we do not know", never "it is weak".
Not published: Other — not a discipline — a browsing bucket with no subject classification behind it, so there is nothing coherent to rank its courses against. We would rather leave a subject out than band it on too little.
Who decided this order?
We did, out of eight published government measures with every weight shown — and none of them is a survey of opinion. The next tab has all of it: what each measure contributes, what we deliberately left out, where the order stops being something the data can support, and the source and year of every figure.
Sources: Discover Uni (on_2026_09_29_12_31_32), the Longitudinal Education Outcomes dataset, Graduate Outcomes, the National Student Survey, and REF 2021. Snapshot on_2026_09_29_12_31_32-c6abef4e77df, computed 2026-10-05. Each source publishes annually or less often, so these tables change when a release lands and not otherwise.