History and Strategic Studies: What the Programme Covers in Art/Humanities

History and Strategic Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that brings together the study of historical events, societies and institutions with the study of strategy, security, conflict and the factors that shape national and international affairs.

The JAMB brochure places History and Strategic Studies within the Arts/Humanities programme list under the Faculty/School/College of Arts. It is listed separately from History, History and Archaeology, History/International Studies, History and Diplomacy, and History and Political Studies.

What Is History and Strategic Studies?

The programme combines historical study with strategic thinking. History helps students understand how societies, governments, conflicts and institutions developed over time, while Strategic Studies examines the use of strategy in dealing with security, conflict, national interests and other major challenges.

This combination allows students to examine present-day issues with a strong awareness of their historical background. Rather than looking at events in isolation, students can consider how earlier developments influenced later political, security and strategic decisions.

What Students May Study

The exact course structure depends on the institution, but a programme in this area may expose students to subjects connected with history, strategy, security, warfare, conflict, diplomacy, international affairs and political developments.

Historical studies may cover the development of societies, states and institutions, while the strategic component can introduce students to the causes and consequences of conflict, strategic decision-making and security concerns.

Major Areas of Interest

• History – the study of past events, societies, institutions and developments.
• Strategic Studies – examination of strategy, strategic decision-making and the pursuit of national interests.
• Security Studies – consideration of security challenges and the factors that affect the safety and stability of societies and states.
• Conflict and Warfare – study of conflicts, their historical development, causes and consequences.
• International Affairs – understanding developments and relationships that extend beyond individual states.
• Diplomacy and Political Developments – examination of how states and institutions respond to political and strategic challenges.
• Historical Research – the collection, examination and interpretation of historical evidence.

Skills Students Can Develop

Students can develop strong research, analytical, critical-thinking and communication skills. The programme also encourages students to examine events from different perspectives and connect historical developments with contemporary issues.

Because the subject area involves interpreting information and assessing different explanations of events, students can also develop the ability to construct logical arguments and communicate their findings clearly.

Who Is History and Strategic Studies Suitable For?

The course may appeal to students who have a strong interest in History, Government, current affairs, security, international affairs, political developments and conflict. It may also suit students who enjoy reading, research and analysing why important events happen and how they affect societies.

A student who is curious about the historical background of conflicts and the strategic decisions made by governments and institutions may find the combination particularly interesting.

History and Strategic Studies in the JAMB Brochure

One useful point for prospective students is that the JAMB brochure does not treat every history-related programme as one course. History and Strategic Studies has its own entry in the Arts/Humanities list, separate from other related programmes.

The specific institution entry should therefore be used when checking admission requirements rather than transferring requirements from History, History and International Studies or another similarly named programme.

Why the Combination Matters

History provides the background needed to understand how societies and institutions reached their present positions, while strategic studies encourages students to think about responses to complex challenges. Together, they provide a broad academic perspective on historical and strategic issues.

Before Choosing the Course

History and Strategic Studies is a programme that can demand considerable reading, research and analysis. Candidates should be prepared to study historical developments carefully while also engaging with strategic and security-related questions.

For additional information on the programme and its admission conditions, candidates can consult the document below.