5 Reasons to Study History (Expert Oxford & Cambridge Application Advice)
1) You love reading and writing
The vast majority of the work you complete at Oxbridge is centred around your weekly tutorial. That means hours and hours spent in the library researching for your essay question, and many more hours spent writing. A typical essay takes around 20 hours of reading and writing to complete and you’ll be doing 1 or 2 of them each week for three years.
2) You love a lively debate
As with other humanities subjects, History centres around your weekly/bi-weekly meeting with your tutor. These are referred to as tutorials in Oxford and supervisions in Cambridge. They most often take the form of a debate in which you are expected to defend the main thesis of your essay and critically evaluate alternative viewpoints. Your tutors’ views might be completely at odds with your own, but, debate and reasoned enquiry is in itself the point of the exercise.
3) You like being spoilt for choice
Both Oxford and Cambridge offer dozens and dozens of optional and special papers which you’re able to pick from when designing your course. Some of these include: The Near East in the Age of Justinian and Mohammed, 527-c.700; Politics, art and culture in the Italian Renaissance, Venice and Florence c1475–1525; Painting and Culture in Ming China; The Crusades c.1095-1291.
4) You enjoy pushing yourself and your intellectual horizons
You might have been the best and brightest in History at your schools, but an Oxbridge degree is not about intellectual validation but pushing your own abilities to the limit. You’ll be taught by some of the best scholars in the world and surrounded by similarly ambitious, competitive and intellectually committed students. If your school made you feel like a big fish in a small pond, then get ready for a change.
5) You’re already thinking about your career
History provides you with a wide array of interdisciplinary skills which are widely applicable across the jobs market. Whether you want to go on to do a conversion course into law, enter a consultancy job or finance; or begin an academic career, an Oxbridge History degree is highly prized. The University’s Career Service is also there to support you from the get go, organising meet-ups and networking events with potential employees, or putting you in touch with alumni who have pursued a career similar to what you’d like to do yourself.
Let us know if you have any questions about this article or anything related to History & Politics at Oxford or History & Politics at Cambridge at all.
This article was written by Wojciech (Oxford - History & Politics).
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Author: Wojciech - Oxford
BA History & Politics
Since graduating I have acquired extensive experience in Mentoring for Oxbridge admissions. I have worked in person with students in London, Hong Kong and Budapest and taught A-level History and Politics at Akademeia High School in Warsaw.
