History is the examination of human experience over time. It attempts to understand and explain the origins and evolution of the societies we live in. It also explores the complex processes of social change, the choice of one set of political or ethical values over another, the context in which radical ideas arose, and much more.
In addition to acquiring knowledge and an understanding of our past, our students develop intellectual adaptability, a capacity for critical assessment of complicated issues and personalities, and an ability to evaluate conflicting interpretations.
Undergraduates
Our undergraduates in the Department of History have a variety of study programmes from which to choose.
Most pursue the very popular Bachelor of Arts Joint Honours Degree programme (MH101 below). Some take a BA in History (MH113 below), studying History only (Single Honours) or as a Major with a Minor in another subject.
A BA International option is available to students on either programme. For further information consult the International Office.
Students studying on a part-time basis (evenings) have the option of taking History modules as part of the BA in Local Studies at Maynooth or at the university's Outreach campus in Kilkenny.
Postgraduates
We offer a full suite of postgraduate taught and research programmes (Postgraduate Diploma, Taught Masters, Masters by Research and Doctorate).
Our department has an international reputation as a centre of excellence for individual and group research, hosting externally funded postdoctoral research fellows, several research projects funded by the Irish Research Council and other external sponsors, and three research centres.
Our main research expertise is in the fields of Irish, European, British, North American and World History.