History (Central and East European) and Jewish Studies

Central and East European history combined with Jewish studies is an exceptionally rich academic combination, encompassing some of the most dramatic and consequential events in modern history alongside a scholarly tradition concerned with one of the world's oldest and most complex diasporic cultures. The region stretching from Germany to the former Soviet Union has been the site of empires, revolutions, world wars, genocide, and the painful processes of post-communist transformation. Jewish history and culture are inseparable from this story: Jews lived throughout the region for centuries, created extraordinary intellectual and religious traditions there, and were the primary victims of the Nazi genocide.

At University College London, which has world-class resources in both European and Jewish studies, this four-year full-time degree allows you to develop serious expertise in both areas. You will engage with the languages, historiography, and source materials that Central and East European history requires, alongside the textual, cultural, and historical dimensions of Jewish studies. The two fields illuminate each other constantly, and you will encounter scholars and students working at the highest level in both.

UCL's location in London, with access to major archives, libraries, and communities connected to these histories, is a significant advantage. The typical entry tariff of 168 points reflects both the competitive nature of UCL admissions and the academic demands of the programme.

Graduates of this programme are well suited to careers in academic research, teaching, diplomacy, international organisations, journalism, publishing, and the cultural sector. The combination of historical analysis, cultural literacy, and often some language acquisition is valued in roles concerned with contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, with Jewish communities and organisations worldwide, and with human rights and transitional justice. Postgraduate study in modern history, Jewish studies, Holocaust studies, or European studies is a natural and common progression.