History
The combination of range and flexibility, both chronologically and geographically, of papers available in the Cambridge History course allows students to shape their degree to their own interests, while maintaining strong historical skills. Almost any period of British, European and World history can be studied. To get a sense of the range of history and historians at Cambridge, and to find out more about what happens here, take a look at the History Faculty homepage.
Overview
Students admitted per year: 5-7
Typical offer:
A Level: A*AA
IB Diploma: 41 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Subject requirements: no subjects required
Useful subjects: almost all applicants will have taken History to A Level. This can be complemented by a range of other subjects.
Admissions Assessment: n/a
Written work: two pieces, of a maximum of 3,000 words total
Why choose Newnham for History?
Newnham has a long tradition of valuing teaching as an integral part of College life. Its current Fellows continue to uphold the ideals of their forebears in taking teaching seriously and seeking the most effective teaching methods for an individual’s style of learning. Newnham was one of the pioneers of the supervision mode of teaching, still the mainstay of any historian’s degree, and an important element of the Director of Studies’ job is securing the best supervisors for students.
The wide range of topics taught by the current History Fellows and Lecturers (see below) offers advantages to students not only for their supervised papers, but also for Historical Thinking classes. Those classes, organised into a systematic programme, provide an important chance for each cohort of students to exchange ideas, experiences, and share what they have discovered in their own particular papers. Contact across year groups is fostered not only informally but also (for example) by an afternoon of presentations by third year students on their dissertations.
Newnham historians benefit from the excellent resources provided by the College as well as the University. The College runs an unusually well-stocked Library. Whilst this provides a quiet working environment both inside and outside term time, historians at Newnham live within minutes of the Faculty and from the University Library, a copyright library.
Academic financial support
Newnham is one of the most generous Colleges when it comes to student support. As well as being able to access support for maintenance, opportunity and sports funding, all Newnham undergraduate students can apply for our book grants and research expenses funds each term for essential purchases and expenditure relating to their studies. A proportion of expenditure on books can be reimbursed against receipts (up to a limit of £200 each year), with research expenses assessed on a case-by-case basis. Funds for essential equipment purchases are also available, for example for stethoscopes for medics. We are also fortunate to have very generous funding available for summer research and/or travel. None of these grants are means-tested, so all students can benefit. Students achieving first-class results for their end of year exams will in addition receive at least £400 as a prize or scholarship.
