What Is History? Understanding the Programme and What Students Study in Art/Humanities

History is an Art/Humanities programme that focuses on the study of past events, people, societies, institutions and developments. It helps students examine how societies have changed over time and how past events have influenced the present.

History is listed under the Arts/Humanities category in the JAMB course classification, alongside other programmes offered through Faculties, Schools or Colleges of Arts.

What Students Study in History

The programme involves the systematic study and interpretation of events and developments from the past. Students learn to examine historical evidence, understand relationships between events and appreciate the political, social, economic and cultural forces that shaped different societies.

• Political and constitutional history
• Social and cultural history
• Economic developments
• History of societies and institutions
• Historical events and movements
• Research and interpretation of historical evidence
• Regional and national histories

History as an Academic Discipline

History is not simply about memorising dates and names. Students are expected to examine evidence, compare accounts, identify relationships between events and develop explanations for historical developments.

This makes reading, research, writing and critical analysis important parts of studying the course.

Skills You Can Develop

A History student can develop useful skills in research, critical thinking, writing, evidence analysis, communication and interpretation. These skills can be useful beyond traditional history-related occupations.

Who May Be Interested in History?

History may appeal to students who enjoy learning about people and societies, investigating the past, reading, writing and understanding why important events happened. It can also suit students interested in politics, culture, heritage, education and research.

The Scope of the Programme

The scope of History can extend across different periods, societies and themes. Depending on the institution and its curriculum, students may encounter different approaches to historical study and specialised areas of interest.

Because admission conditions can differ from one institution to another, candidates should always check the specific institutional entry information rather than assuming that one requirement applies everywhere.

Before Choosing History

Students considering History should be prepared for substantial reading, research, writing and analysis. The course is particularly suitable for candidates who want to understand how the past helps explain the development of societies.

For additional information about admission requirements and the institutions listed for History, candidates can refer to the document below.