History and Philosophy

History and philosophy are disciplines that have always been deeply entangled with each other. Philosophy without history can drift into timelessness, losing sight of the social and intellectual conditions that gave rise to its questions. History without philosophical reflection risks becoming mere chronicle, lacking the conceptual frameworks needed to make sense of what happened and why it mattered.

Studying them together develops a particularly powerful set of intellectual skills: the capacity to situate ideas in their historical context and to evaluate arguments and evidence with rigorous philosophical care.

At Nottingham Trent University, this programme is offered on a part-time basis and includes both a sandwich placement year and work placements, making professional experience an integrated part of the degree. This is an unusual combination of flexibility and structure, suited to students who need to manage their studies around work or other commitments while still gaining substantive professional experience alongside their academic education. You will study the major periods and traditions of history alongside the core branches of philosophy, including ethics, epistemology, political philosophy, and the history of ideas, developing both the historical knowledge and the philosophical analytical skills that make this combination distinctive.

Graduates of history and philosophy go on to careers in journalism, teaching, the civil service, law, research, heritage, publishing, and communications, as well as in roles that benefit from the combination of careful argument and historical understanding, such as policy analysis and advocacy. The placement year gives graduates professional experience that improves their employability and often clarifies their career direction. Postgraduate study in philosophy, history, or related fields such as ethics, political theory, or law is a natural next step for those who want to develop specialist expertise or pursue academic careers.