How much writing is there in a history degree?
A history degree can involve a substantial amount of writing, including essays, source analyses, research papers, literature reviews and sometimes a dissertation. The amount and format vary by course: assessment may also include exams, presentations, class participation or digital projects. Check the programme’s module and assessment information for a clearer indication.
Key points
- Assignments may require constructing arguments from primary and secondary sources, with accurate referencing.
- Some courses include a final-year dissertation or extended independent research project.
- Written work may range from short responses to essays of several thousand words, depending on the module.
Things to check
- The workload and balance between essays, exams and other assessments differ by university, country, academic year and course structure.