History BA(Hons): After you graduate

What our graduates say
Where this course will take you
Examples of recent graduate destinations

What our graduates say

Check out what our graduates have gone on to do and how studying at Kingston helped them achieve their goals.

Name: Dawn Norton
Year of graduation: 2001
Current job: computer programmer and systems analyst

Dawn came to Kingston University after a career working with children. In 2001 she gained a degree in History and immediately gained a place with John Lewis as a graduate trainee on their IT graduate course. She is now a computer programmer and systems analyst and says that her degree, especially her work placement at the National Archives, was crucial in enabling her to change career and develop her IT skills.

Name: Gill Staples
Year of graduation: 1999
Current job: history teacher

Gill studied at Kingston from 1996 to 1999, graduating with a degree in History. After working in the Women's Royal Navy and spending a couple of years as a full-time mother, she decided to return to study for a PGCE.

Gill is now working as a history teacher at Feltham Community College. As assistant head of learning for Year 11, she looks after the trainee history teachers. Gill credits Kingston with giving her the chance to fulfil her ambition to be a teacher and convincing her that history was the right subject for her.

Name: Glenn Caplin
Year of graduation: 2000
Current job: research and information officer

Glenn came to Kingston from sixth form college to study history and social and economic history. After graduating in 2000, he joined Cornwall County Council as a research and information officer. He says that the training he received on his history degree has been highly relevant for his job.

Where this course will take you

Many employers see the study of history as excellent preparation for working life, and history students from Kingston have a good record of employment. Studying history develops your ability to research and manage information, to be critical and to communicate effectively.

Common professions for history graduates include banking, teaching, journalism and law, as well as a range of careers within museums, archives and heritage organisations, the Home Office, local government administration and retail. Students also often go on to take a further qualification, such as a research degree, a PGCE, a law conversion course or a library qualification.